How to Warm Up a New Sending Domain
A new domain has no reputation. A four-week plan to build it safely and what to watch while you do.
In this article
A brand-new sending domain or IP has no history, so providers treat it cautiously. Warming it up means building a good history gradually.
Before you start
- Publish SPF, DKIM and DMARC and confirm they pass.
- Verify every address you plan to send to.
- Prepare engaged contacts first: customers, recent sign-ups and people who replied before.
A four-week plan
- Week 1: 20 to 50 messages a day to your most engaged contacts.
- Week 2: double the volume if bounce and complaint rates stay very low.
- Week 3: double again and add more segments.
- Week 4: move toward your normal volume.
These numbers are a guide; slow down at the first sign of trouble.
What to watch
- Bounce rate under 2%
- Complaint rate well under 0.1%
- Replies and clicks, not only opens
- Placement in test inboxes
Mistakes to avoid
- Sending a large campaign on day one
- Mixing cold and marketing mail on the same domain
- Skipping verification of the first lists
Start every warm-up with a verified list from the bulk verifier.
Mailbite Editorial TeamPractical guides on email verification and deliverability.
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