Warm Up Domain

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How to warm up a new sending domain

When you begin using a new sending domain, it's crucial to follow specific steps to avoid deliverability issues. Your domain's reputation significantly influences whether your emails will reach your intended inboxes or be routed to spam folders. This article discusses the importance of warming up a new domain and offers step-by-step instructions on how to effectively manage this process.

Introduction

Warming up a new domain is vital for establishing credibility with mailbox providers (MBPs) such as Gmail, Yahoo, and Microsoft Outlook/Office 365. Domain reputation is a measure of your domain's trustworthiness and plays a key role in your email deliverability. A positive reputation increases the likelihood that your emails will make it to recipients’ inboxes rather than being marked as spam.

This guide will help you understand how to maintain a positive domain reputation by progressively warming up your new sending domain. If you're new to ActiveCampaign, consider learning about how to set up your deliverability in your first 30 days before diving into warming up your domain.

How to access this feature

You can access the domain warming up feature in ActiveCampaign through the Settings menu. Here’s how:

1. Log in to your ActiveCampaign account. 2. Navigate to the Settings gear icon found in the left sidebar. 3. Click on Deliverability from the settings menu. 4. Look for the section related to warming up your domain.

Step-by-step instructions

Follow these steps to effectively warm up your new sending domain:

1. Understand domain reputation

  Ensure you understand the factors that influence domain reputation. These factors include:
  - Email engagement
  - Spam complaint rates
  - Spam traps
  - Bounce rates
  - Your sending history
  - Age of the domain 

2. Wait 24-48 hours before sending

  After acquiring a new domain, avoid sending any emails for the first 24 to 48 hours. This precaution prevents appearing suspicious to MBPs, which may block your domain if emails are sent immediately.

3. Set up DKIM

  Prior to sending any emails, you should set up DKIM (DomainKeys Identified Mail) to enhance your domain's credibility. An article on how to set up DKIM with ActiveCampaign is available for detailed instructions.

4. Gradually increase sending volume

  Start sending emails at a low volume and gradually increase the amount over time. Follow this volume schedule as a guideline:

  - Day 1: < 500 emails
  - Day 2: < 1,000 emails
  - Days 3-7: < 5,000 emails
  - Days 7-14: < 20,000 emails
  - Days 14-21: < 50,000 emails
  - Days 21-30: < 100,000 emails

  Adjust based on your contacts’ engagement and responses.

5. Send to your most engaged recipients

  Target your most engaged contacts first. Engaging with these individuals can improve your reputation, as they are more likely to interact positively with your emails. 

  Use features in ActiveCampaign, like segmentation with activity windows and automated list clean-ups, to help identify and target these contacts.

6. Include brand elements

  Reinforce your brand's legitimacy by including recognizable elements in your email communications, such as your logo and consistent messaging. Try to maintain the same email templates as before.

7. Ensure transparent WHOIS records

  Make sure your domain's WHOIS records are clear and transparent, avoiding any privacy protections that could indicate suspicious behavior. Confirmation of WHOIS details helps build trust with MBPs by verifying that your domain is linked to a legitimate business.

8. Be cautious with uncommon TLDs

  Avoid using uncommon top-level domains (TLDs). Stick to traditional TLDs like .com to minimize scrutiny from MBPs.

9. Exercise patience

  Avoid the temptation to launch high-volume campaigns immediately. Allow at least 30 days to build a solid sending reputation through gradual increases in email output.

10. Monitor your efforts

  Utilize tools like Google Postmaster Tools to monitor your domain's reputation. This tool provides essential insights into how Gmail perceives your domain reputation, helping you make informed decisions about increasing sending volumes.

Configuration options and settings

Several factors should be configured to effectively warm up your domain, including: - DKIM setup to ensure email authenticity. - Email volume limits to gradually build reputation. - Targeting techniques to focus on engaged contacts.

Best practices and tips

Here are valuable practices to follow when warming up your new domain: - Avoid sending a large number of emails all at once to prevent being flagged as spam. - Regularly monitor your domain reputation through available tools. - Focus on sending quality content that resonates with your audience to boost engagement.

Common use cases with examples

1. **New Business Launch:** When a new brand initiates communication about its product or service using a newly secured domain, it should gradually introduce its emails while focusing on recent customers or loyal recipients from previous branding.

2. **Domain Migration:** If you're transitioning to a new domain due to rebranding, employ the warm-up strategy to avoid deliverability issues while maintaining your relationship with your existing customers.

Troubleshooting section

If you encounter issues while warming up your domain, consider the following steps: - Ensure your DKIM is properly set up and functioning. - Review your email engagement metrics to identify areas for improvement. - Check your WHOIS records for transparency.

Related features section

For better email deliverability, consider exploring related features: - Settings: General account and configuration settings - Deliverability: Enhanced features to improve email delivery rates

FAQ

Q1: How long does it take to warm up a new domain? A1: The warming up process can take up to 30 days, depending on how gradually you increase the sending volume.

Q2: What is DKIM and why is it important? A2: DKIM stands for DomainKeys Identified Mail, and it helps verify the authenticity of your emails, improving your domain's trustworthiness with MBPs.

Q3: Can I send emails immediately after buying a domain? A3: It is advised to abstain from sending emails for the first 24-48 hours to avoid being flagged as suspicious by MBPs.

Q4: What should I do if my domain is blocked? A4: Check your sending practices and WHOIS records. It may take time to resolve any blocks and you should adjust your sending strategy as needed.

Q5: Should I focus on older lists when warming up? A5: No, it's better to engage with your most connected and responsive contacts initially, rather than older, less engaged lists.

Q6: How do I monitor my domain reputation? A6: You can use tools like Google Postmaster Tools to monitor your domain's reputation and engagement metrics.

Q7: What types of domains should I avoid during the warm-up process? A7: Avoid utilizing uncommon TLDs, as they can be flagged as suspicious resulting in poor deliverability rates.

For more detailed guidelines on domain warming, visit additional resources by Postmark and Spamhaus. ```