How do I warm up a new subdomain and domain after switching domains in Salesforce Marketing Cloud?
Summary
What email marketers say10Marketer opinions
Email marketer from Neil Patel emphasizes the importance of gradually increasing email volume during the warmup process. Starting with a small batch of highly engaged subscribers and slowly scaling up helps build a positive sender reputation and avoid being flagged as spam.
Email marketer from Constant Contact suggests to ensure that you have properly configured email authentication protocols such as SPF, DKIM, and DMARC to improve your sender reputation and increase the likelihood of your emails being delivered to the inbox.
Email marketer from HubSpot recommends starting with a small, targeted group of recipients and gradually increasing the volume over several weeks. This helps establish a positive sending reputation and ensures better deliverability.
Email marketer from Twilio SendGrid shares that you should segment your email list and start by sending to the most engaged recipients. As engagement increases, gradually expand the sending volume to less engaged segments.
Email marketer from GlockApps suggests using inbox placement tests to assess deliverability during the warmup process. These tests provide insights into how your emails are being received by different email providers and help identify any potential issues.
Email marketer from Reddit suggests that when switching domains within Salesforce Marketing Cloud, prioritize warming up the new subdomain by sending to your most engaged subscribers first. Monitor open and click-through rates to gauge deliverability and gradually increase sending volume as your reputation improves.
Email marketer from GMass advises focusing on engagement metrics like open rates and click-through rates during the warmup period. High engagement signals to email providers that your emails are valuable and wanted, improving your sender reputation.
Email marketer from MailerLite highlights the importance of closely monitoring deliverability metrics during the warmup phase. Track bounce rates, spam complaints, and inbox placement to identify and address any issues promptly.
Email marketer from Litmus shares to maintain a consistent sending volume during the warmup period to establish a predictable sending pattern. This helps email providers recognize your emails as legitimate and reduces the risk of deliverability issues.
Email marketer from Validity says set expectations with subscribers by notifying them about the domain switch. This can help prevent confusion and reduce the likelihood of spam complaints.
What the experts say6Expert opinions
Expert from Word to the Wise recommends an IP warmup strategy of starting small and increasing volume based on positive signals, such as opens and click-throughs. He also highlights the importance of monitoring blocklists and feedback loops.
Expert from Email Geeks explains that each subdomain has its own reputation and the domain also has a reputation which is influenced by both mail authenticated directly by the domain AND the reputation of all subdomains. Subdomain reputation flows up to the domain, and domain reputation can also bleed down into the subdomains.
Expert from Email Geeks recommends to go back to the old domain for a week or two, then start a warmup plan with your best, most engaged users. The goal is IF the mail goes to the bulk folder then your engaged users will notice and go mark it as not spam.
Expert from Word to the Wise shares that the overall goal with warming up new IPs is to slowly build a reputation with ISPs. This can be achieved by gradually increasing volume while ensuring your emails are wanted by recipients, and that recipients engage with your emails. This will take time.
Expert from Email Geeks explains that you have to warm IPs, warm domains, and warm the combination of the domain on the IP.
Expert from Spamresource.com advises before warming up any new IPs you should always take your time to assess your current sending practices to identify any areas where improvements can be made to increase deliverability. Then use a blocklist monitoring service to know in real-time when your IPs are listed and address it promptly.
What the documentation says4Technical articles
Documentation from Google Postmaster Tools explains the importance of monitoring your domain reputation in Google Postmaster Tools to track deliverability and identify any potential issues. This allows you to proactively address any problems and maintain a positive sending reputation.
Documentation from Mailjet advises that subdomains inherit some reputation from the main domain, but it's still crucial to establish a separate positive reputation for the subdomain. They suggest monitoring deliverability metrics closely during the warmup phase and adjusting sending volume accordingly.
Documentation from Salesforce Help explains that domain warming involves gradually increasing the volume of emails sent from a new domain or subdomain to establish a positive sender reputation with email providers. This helps to ensure that emails are delivered to the inbox rather than marked as spam.
Documentation from SparkPost highlights the importance of a gradual warmup process when introducing a new subdomain, emphasizing that sending too many emails too quickly can negatively impact deliverability. They recommend starting with a small, highly engaged segment of your audience and gradually increasing volume over time.