Bonus 4: Advanced Deliverability Checklist

Bonus 2: Advanced Deliverability Checklist

Domain Setup, Authentication, Spam Testing

Why Deliverability Matters

Deliverability means your emails actually reach your subscribers’ inboxes (not spam or junk folders). Even the best-written emails won’t help you if nobody sees them!

Step 1: Use a Reputable Autoresponder

  • Choose a trusted service like Aweber, Mailvio, GetResponse, or ConvertKit.
  • These services have strong reputations with ISPs and built-in deliverability tools.
Tip: Don’t use your personal Gmail, Yahoo, or Outlook for bulk sending. Always use a professional autoresponder.

Step 2: Set Up Your Custom Domain

  • Buy a domain name just for your business (e.g., yourbrand.com).
  • Set up a business email address (like you@yourbrand.com) using your domain registrar or Google Workspace.
Why? Free email addresses (like Gmail or Yahoo) are more likely to be flagged as spam when used for marketing.

Step 3: Authenticate Your Domain

Authentication proves to email providers (like Gmail, Outlook, Yahoo) that your emails are legitimate and not forged by spammers. There are three main authentication records:

  1. SPF (Sender Policy Framework): Tells email providers which servers are allowed to send email for your domain.
  2. DKIM (DomainKeys Identified Mail): Adds a digital signature to your emails so providers know they’re really from you.
  3. DMARC (Domain-based Message Authentication, Reporting & Conformance): Tells providers what to do if an email fails SPF or DKIM checks.

How to Set Up Authentication (Step-by-Step)

  1. Log in to your autoresponder and find their “domain authentication” or “domain verification” section.
  2. Follow their instructions to add SPF, DKIM, and DMARC records to your domain’s DNS (your domain registrar’s settings).
  3. Wait for verification (can take a few minutes to 48 hours).
  4. Test by sending yourself an email—check the headers to confirm authentication is working.
  • If you’re stuck, contact your autoresponder’s support—they’ll walk you through it!
Tip: Most big autoresponders (Aweber, Mailvio, etc.) have easy, step-by-step guides for this. Just search “SPF DKIM setup [your service]”.

Step 4: Warm Up Your Domain

  • Don’t send 1,000 emails on day one! Start slow.
  • Send a few emails to friends, colleagues, or yourself first.
  • Gradually increase your sending volume over 1–2 weeks.
Why? Sudden spikes in sending can look suspicious to email providers and get you flagged as spam.

Step 5: Avoid Spam Triggers in Your Emails

  • Don’t use ALL CAPS, too many exclamation marks, or words like “FREE!!!” or “Make Money Fast.”
  • Limit the number of images and links (especially affiliate links).
  • Always include a clear unsubscribe link.
  • Use a good text-to-image ratio (don’t send image-only emails).
Tip: Write like a real person, not a robot or spammer!

Step 6: Test Your Emails for Spam

  1. Send a test email to yourself and check if it lands in your inbox, promotions, or spam.
  2. Use a free tool like mail-tester.com:
    • They give you a special email address.
    • Send your email there, then check your score and see what to fix.
  3. Check your sender reputation at senderscore.org.

Step 7: Maintain List Hygiene

  • Remove inactive subscribers (people who haven’t opened in 60–90 days).
  • Don’t buy or rent email lists—ever.
  • Ask subscribers to whitelist your email address (add you to their contacts).

Step 8: Monitor and Improve

  • Watch your open rates, click rates, and spam complaints.
  • If you see a drop, review your recent emails for spammy content or technical issues.
  • Regularly review your authentication and sender reputation.

Advanced Deliverability Checklist (Quick Reference)

  • ✔ Use a reputable autoresponder
  • ✔ Set up a custom domain and business email
  • ✔ Authenticate your domain (SPF, DKIM, DMARC)
  • ✔ Warm up your sending volume
  • ✔ Avoid spammy words, too many links, and images
  • ✔ Always include an unsubscribe link
  • ✔ Test your emails for spam before sending
  • ✔ Maintain a clean, engaged list
  • ✔ Monitor sender reputation and stats

Pro Tip: Deliverability is an ongoing process. Review this checklist every few months, especially if you change email providers or see a dip in your open rates.

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