How to Set Up a Custom Email Domain for Free Using Forward by Redsols

What is Forward by Redsols?

Forward by Redsols is a free email forwarding service that lets you:

• Create unlimited aliases on your domain (hello@, support@, billing@, etc.)
• Forward incoming emails to any existing inbox
• Reply as your custom domain address using reverse aliases
• Set up catch-all forwarding so no email is missed

Unlike traditional email hosting (Google Workspace at $6/user/month or Microsoft 365), Forward gives you professional email addresses at zero cost. You keep using whatever inbox you already have.

What You Need Before You Start

• A domain you own (e.g., yourdomain.com)
• Access to your domain's DNS settings (at your registrar like Namecheap, GoDaddy, Cloudflare, etc.)
• A destination inbox (Gmail, Outlook, Yahoo, iCloud, or any email provider)
• A free account at forward.redsols.com

Step 1: Create Your Forward Account

Head to forward.redsols.com and sign up for a free account. After logging in, you will see your dashboard where you can manage your domains and aliases.

Step 2: Add Your Domain

Click "Add Domain" in your dashboard and enter your domain name (e.g., yourdomain.com). Forward will generate the DNS records you need to add.

Step 3: Configure DNS Records

This is the most important step. You need to add MX records to your domain's DNS settings. MX records tell the internet where to deliver emails for your domain.

Adding MX Records

Go to your DNS provider and add the MX records shown in your Forward dashboard. They typically look like:

Type: MX
Host: @
Priority: 10
Value: mx1.forward.redsols.com

Type: MX
Host: @
Priority: 20
Value: mx2.forward.redsols.com

Important: If you have existing MX records from a previous email provider, you should remove them first to avoid conflicts. Only keep the Forward MX records.

Adding TXT Records for Verification

Forward will also ask you to add a TXT record to verify domain ownership. Copy the exact value provided and add it as a TXT record in your DNS settings.

Step 4: Create Your Email Aliases

Once your domain is verified, you can create aliases. An alias is your custom email address that forwards to your real inbox.

Examples

• hello@yourdomain.com → forwards to your personal Gmail
• support@yourdomain.com → forwards to your team's shared inbox
• billing@yourdomain.com → forwards to your accounting email
• jobs@yourdomain.com → forwards to your recruiting inbox

You can also enable catch-all forwarding — this means any address at your domain (even ones you did not create) will forward to your inbox. Handy, but be aware it may attract some spam.

Step 5: Reply as Your Custom Domain (Reverse Alias)

One of Forward's standout features is reverse aliasing. This lets you reply to forwarded emails and the recipient sees your custom domain address as the sender — not your Gmail or Outlook address.

When you receive a forwarded email, Forward includes a special reply address. Simply reply to that address, and your response will appear to come from hello@yourdomain.com.

You can enable or disable reverse aliasing per alias from your Forward dashboard.

Step 6: Test Your Setup

1. Wait 5-30 minutes after saving your DNS records
2. Send a test email from a different email address to your new alias
3. Check your destination inbox (including spam folder)
4. Try replying to confirm reverse alias works

Forward vs. Traditional Email Hosting

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Emails not arriving

• Double-check your MX records are correct and old ones are removed
• Wait for DNS propagation (can take up to 24 hours in rare cases)
• Check your spam folder
• Verify your domain is confirmed in the Forward dashboard

Reverse alias not working

• Ensure reverse aliasing is enabled for that specific alias
• Make sure you are replying to the special Forward reply address, not the original sender

Conclusion

Setting up a professional custom email domain does not have to cost money or be complicated. Forward by Redsols makes it free and simple — add your domain, configure two MX records, create your aliases, and you are done. Your emails land in the inbox you already use every day.

Ready to get started? Head to forward.redsols.com and set up your custom email in under 10 minutes.