New Domain Email Checklist
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New Domain Email Setup Checklist
Configure MX Records
Point your domain to your email provider's mail servers. Without MX records, you can't receive email.
Add SPF Record
Authorize your email provider to send on your behalf. SPF Checker →
Set Up DKIM Signing
Enable DKIM in your email provider and publish the public key in DNS. DKIM Lookup →
Publish DMARC Policy
Start with p=none for monitoring, then progress to enforcement. DMARC Checker →
Set Up TLS-RPT (Optional)
Receive reports about TLS connection failures. TLS-RPT Guide →
Warm Up Your Domain
Start with low volumes to engaged recipients. Gradually increase over 2-8 weeks.
Monitor Deliverability
Track bounce rates, spam complaints, and authentication results. Set up Google Postmaster Tools.
Domain Warmup Best Practices
Why new domains need warmup
New domains have zero reputation. Email providers like Gmail and Outlook are suspicious of unknown senders. Sending high volumes immediately triggers spam filters. Warmup builds trust gradually.
Warmup schedule
Week 1: 50-100 emails/day to your most engaged contacts
Week 2: 100-250 emails/day
Week 3: 250-500 emails/day
Week 4+: Double weekly until target volume
Pause and reduce if bounce rate exceeds 2% or spam complaints exceed 0.1%.
Who to send to during warmup
Start with your most engaged recipients-people who have opened or clicked recently. Their positive engagement signals to providers that your mail is wanted. Avoid purchased lists or cold contacts during warmup.
Signs warmup is working
- High open rates (20%+ for marketing, higher for transactional)
- Low bounce rate (<2%)
- Minimal spam complaints (<0.1%)
- Emails landing in inbox, not spam folder
- Google Postmaster Tools shows "High" reputation
Common warmup mistakes
- Sending too much too fast
- Using purchased or scraped email lists
- Ignoring bounce and complaint metrics
- Not setting up authentication before sending
- Sending only to Gmail (diversify across providers)
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I set up email for a new domain?
Configure MX records to point to your mail server, add SPF to authorize senders, set up DKIM signing, publish a DMARC policy, and warm up the domain gradually before sending at volume.
Why do new domains have deliverability issues?
New domains have no sending history or reputation. Mail providers are suspicious of unknown senders. You need to warm up by sending small volumes to engaged recipients and gradually increasing over weeks.
How long does domain warmup take?
Domain warmup typically takes 2-8 weeks depending on your target volume. Start with 50-100 emails/day to engaged recipients and double weekly while monitoring bounce rates and spam complaints.
Monitor Your New Domain
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