One address in, another inbox receives it
Email forwarding sends messages addressed to your domain into an inbox you already use
It is useful when you want an address such as hello@yourdomain.uk without managing another inbox. Forwarding handles incoming messages. It is not a mailbox and does not by itself provide an SMTP service for sending from that address.
How does email forwarding work?
- 1Someone emails your domain
A customer sends a message to an address such as sales@yourdomain.uk.
- 2UKC accepts the message
The domain’s mail routing matches the address to the forwarding rule you created.
- 3The message is forwarded
A copy is sent automatically to the destination inbox, such as an existing Gmail or Outlook address.
Do you need forwarding or a mailbox?
| Capability | Email forwarding | Custom Domain Email mailbox |
|---|---|---|
| Receive messages | Yes, in an existing destination inbox | Yes, in a separate mailbox |
| Store messages at UKC | No separate mailbox storage | Yes, subject to the selected mailbox size |
| Send as the domain address | Not by forwarding alone | Yes, using authenticated SMTP |
| Use an email app | Use the app already connected to the destination inbox | Connect directly with IMAP and SMTP |
| Use UKC webmail | No separate webmail login | Yes, at webmail.ukc.uk |
| Best fit | Simple incoming aliases and role addresses | Two-way business email with its own login and storage |
When is email forwarding useful?
A professional public address
Publish hello@yourdomain.uk while continuing to read messages in the personal or work inbox you already check.
Role addresses
Create sales@, accounts@ or bookings@ and send each address to the person currently responsible for that work.
A change of staff or inbox
Update the destination without asking customers to learn a different public address.
Several addresses, one inbox
Direct different domain addresses to one destination when the same owner handles every enquiry.
How do you set up UKC email forwarding?
- 1Open My Domains
Sign in to the UKC Client Area and open the domain you want to manage.
- 2Choose Email Forwarding
Open the domain tools and select the email-forwarding section.
- 3Add the two addresses
Enter the address at your domain and the existing destination inbox that should receive its messages.
- 4Save and test both ways
Send a test from an unrelated address, then reply so you understand which address recipients will see.
Open the detailed UKC email-forwarding setup guide
What should a small business check before publishing the address?
Test delivery
Send from a different provider and confirm the message reaches the destination and does not enter junk mail.
Test replies
A reply may leave from the destination address rather than your domain. Use a mailbox if that would confuse customers.
Keep the destination current
Remove addresses belonging to former staff and review forwarding whenever responsibilities change.
Protect the destination account
Use a strong unique password and two-factor authentication because forwarded business messages ultimately live there.
Why might a forwarded message not arrive?
| Check | What to do |
|---|---|
| The forwarding rule | Confirm both addresses are spelt correctly and the rule is enabled for the intended domain. |
| Junk and filtering | Search the destination inbox, junk folder and any provider quarantine before sending another test. |
| Domain mail routing | If the domain uses another provider’s nameservers or mail records, forwarding may need to be configured with that provider instead. |
| A provider rejection | Keep the rejection or delivery message. It normally identifies the destination provider and the reason for refusal. |
| A forwarding loop | Do not forward two addresses back to each other. Remove the circular rule and test again. |
Email forwarding questions
Is UKC email forwarding included with a domain?
Yes. Email forwarding is one of the domain tools included with a UKC domain registration.
Can I send email from a forwarded address?
Forwarding alone only handles incoming messages. To send as the domain address, use a mailbox and authenticated SMTP, or another compatible sending service configured for the domain.
Can several addresses forward to the same inbox?
Yes. Separate role or contact addresses can point to the same destination when that suits the business workflow.
Can one address forward to several people?
The available routing options can vary. Check the current domain tools or ask UKC support for the best route when several recipients must receive every message.
Does forwarding keep a copy at UKC?
No separate mailbox is created by forwarding. The message is stored by the destination provider after successful delivery.
Where do I read a Custom Domain Email mailbox?
Use webmail.ukc.uk or connect an email app with the mailbox settings. This is a paid domain add-on and is separate from included forwarding.
Choose the right email route
Use forwarding for simple incoming aliases, or a mailbox for two-way business email
Open the domain tools to create a forwarding rule, or choose Custom Domain Email when you need storage, webmail, IMAP and SMTP.