Why You Should Avoid Free Email Services for Your Campaigns
It may sound cost-effective and convenient to use free email services like Gmail, Hotmail, or Yahoo for your marketing campaigns. However, there are several drawbacks to this approach:
- Free email services don’t allow you to control the domain name. This means you can’t grant permission to other services (like EmailOctopus) to send emails on your behalf.
- DMARC policies could lead to your messages getting rejected. When using a free service, DMARC checks will most likely fail and these providers enforce strict DMARC policies, meaning that your emails might not reach recipients’ inboxes.
- Free email addresses can harm your sender reputation. A professional-looking address associated with your company’s domain is more likely to gain customers’ trust than a generic “@gmail” or “@yahoo” address.
How to Verify Your Domain for Improved Deliverability
Verifying your website domain is an essential step towards enhancing your email deliverability. Here’s what you need to know about the process:
- Updating DNS settings: During domain verification, an SPF record is added to your domain’s DNS entries, along with a DKIM signature to prove the email’s authenticity. If you’re unsure how to do this, contact the company you purchased your domain from for assistance.
- Setting up an email address on your domain: You may already have email configured on your domain, but if not, your domain provider should be able to help you set up an address. Ensure that it can also receive emails, so you can handle any replies to your campaigns.
Benefits of Using Your Domain for Email Marketing
Utilizing your verified domain name when sending marketing emails offers numerous advantages:
- Improved deliverability: By using your own domain, you avoid relying on the reputation of free email services and reduce the chances of your bulk emails being blocked.
- Better sender reputation: Customers are more likely to trust a company with a branded email address than one using a generic account from a free provider.
- Flexibility in email addresses: After verifying your domain, you can use multiple email addresses without having to verify each one individually. This is particularly useful for medium-sized businesses with various departments.
Enhancing Professionalism and Brand Strength
Aside from improving deliverability, utilizing your own domain for email marketing campaigns also contributes to creating a professional image and strengthening your brand identity. Your customers will appreciate receiving emails from a recognizable sender tied to your company, increasing their engagement with your brand.
Final Thoughts: Get the Most Out of Your Email Marketing
To truly maximize the success of your email marketing efforts, keep these vital steps in mind:
- Verify your domain with a service like EmailOctopus
- Send emails using your own domain instead of free email providers
Not only will you ensure your messages reach their intended recipients, but this approach will also boost customer trust, make your business appear more professional, and reinforce your brand’s strength. Embracing these best practices will set your email marketing campaigns on the path to success and help your business grow.
