Mastering Email Deliverability – Your Ultimate Guide to Inbox Success and Skyrocketing Metrics

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Picture this: You’ve crafted the perfect email, hit send, and… crickets. Sound familiar? 

That’s where email deliverability comes in. It’s not just about getting your emails out the door; it’s about making sure they land in the right place – your recipient’s inbox.

In this in-depth guide, we’ll make sure to cover everything you need to know to improve email deliverability while maintaining healthy metrics across the board. Let’s jump in!

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Email Deliverability 101

Let’s kick things off by going over a pretty basic concept: delivery and deliverability aren’t the same thing.

Let’s break it down:

  • Delivery: Your email made it… somewhere. Could be the inbox, spam folder, or the dreaded black hole of cyberspace.
  • Deliverability: This is the golden ticket – your email’s VIP pass to the inbox.

Now that we’re on the same page, let’s talk about how to improve email deliverability and keep those spam filters at bay.

Email Deliverability Best Practices

Build a Stellar Sender Reputation

Think of your sender reputation as your email’s credit score. The better it is, the more likely you are to hit the inbox jackpot. Here are some tips to boost your reputation:

  • Keep your list clean.
  • Engage your subscribers regularly.
  • Say “no” to purchased lists (seriously, just don’t).

Authentication is Your Best Friend

SPF, DKIM, and DMARC – no, these aren’t secret agent code names. 

They’re authentication protocols that tell inbox providers, “Hey, this email is legit!” Setting these up is like giving your emails a VIP backstage pass.

Content is King (But Don’t Be Spammy)

Crafting engaging content is crucial, but watch out for those spam trigger words! “FREE,” “Limited Time Offer,” and excessive punctuation (!!!!) can send you straight to spam jail. 

Segmenting and Personalizatiion

One-size-fits-all? More like one-size-fits-none. Segmenting your list and personalizing content can significantly improve email open rates and keep your subscribers coming back for more.

Timing is Everything

Finding the sweet spot for when to send your emails can make a world of difference. Test, analyze, rinse, and repeat to discover your audience’s preferred email time.

Optimizing Email Campaigns: The Never-Ending Journey

Improving email deliverability is an ongoing process. 

Keep testing, tweaking, and optimizing your campaigns. Monitor your metrics, stay up-to-date with best practices, and always be on the lookout for ways to improve inbox placement.

But what metrics should you be on the lookout for?

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Email Metrics You Should Pay Close Attention To

Great question! 

Let’s break down the email metrics that’ll help you improve email deliverability and avoid those pesky spam filters. W

We’ll be using Mailgun terminology here, but these concepts apply across most email platforms.

Delivered Rate

✅ 98% or higher

⚠️ 97-98%

❌ Below 97%

Pro Tip: Monitor this at both the domain and individual email levels. Remember, “delivered” doesn’t always mean “inbox” – it could be lounging in the spam folder!

Open Rate

✅ 40-60% (or higher!)

⚠️ 16-26%

❌ Below 15%

Insider Secret: Make that first impression count! Optimize your “From” name, subject line, and preview text to boost those open rates and improve email deliverability.

Click-Through Rate (CTR)

✅ 10% or higher

⚠️ 7-9%

❌ Below 5%

CTR Boosting Tip: Keep your call-to-action (CTA) clear, compelling, and valuable to your audience. Remember, clicks are the currency of email engagement!

Reply Rate

✅ 30% or higher

⚠️ 15-25%

❌Below 10%

Reply Rate Hack: Ask simple questions or offer irresistible value in exchange for a reply. Keep it focused – don’t muddy the waters with competing CTAs.

Complaint Rate

✅ As close to 0.00% as possible

⚠️ 0.05% (1 complaint per 2000 emails)

❌ At or above 0.04%

Reputation Saver: Make unsubscribing easy. It’s better than a spam complaint, which can tank your sender reputation faster than you can say “inbox placement”!

Bounce Rate

✅ Squeaky clean: Well under 1%

⚠️ Mailgun’s limit: 5%

❌ Red alert: Over 2-2.5%

Bounce Buster: Regular list cleaning is your best friend. It’s like flossing – a little effort goes a long way in preventing bigger problems!

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Email Deliverability Tools – Your Secret Weapons

Want to optimize email campaigns like a pro? Here are some email deliverability tools to add to your arsenal:

  • HighLevel: All-in-one email marketing command center
  • Mailgun: SMTP provider with detailed analytics
  • Email on Acid: Catch potential deliverability issues before they happen

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The Takeaway

With these tips, tricks, and metrics as your guide, you’re well on your way to becoming an email deliverability rockstar Now go forth and conquer those inboxes!

Want to take your email game to the next level? Check out our 14-day free trial of HighLevel. It’s packed with features to help you improve email deliverability, increase open rates, and boost your overall email marketing performance. Don’t just take our word for it – give it a spin and watch your metrics soar! Click here to get your FREE 14-day trial of HighLevel.

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