Introduction
Cold outreach has become a game-changer in modern marketing. But nothing frustrates marketers more than emails landing in spam folders. Deliverability is a core challenge for anyone relying on cold email campaigns. Thankfully, one of the best-kept secrets to improving email deliverability is using multiple domains for cold outreach.
This strategy isn’t just about sending emails; it’s about doing it in a way that ensures your messages land in inboxes, not spam folders. Let’s explore how and why multiple domains can be your secret weapon for cold outreach success.
Why Do Emails Go to Spam?
To understand why multiple domains work, you need to know why emails end up in spam in the first place. Email service providers (ESPs) like Gmail and Outlook use algorithms to filter out spammy or suspicious messages. Here are some common reasons emails are flagged:
- High bounce rates
- Repetitive content or phrases
- Poor sender reputation
- Too many emails sent from a single domain
- Lack of proper authentication (e.g., SPF, DKIM, DMARC)
In short, if your domain appears to be spammy, your outreach efforts will fail. This is where using multiple domains for cold outreach can make a massive difference.
Benefits of Using Multiple Domains for Cold Outreach
- Spread the Load
Using a single domain for all outreach emails puts you at risk. A high volume of emails from one domain can trigger red flags. By using multiple domains, you can distribute your emails across several addresses, reducing the chance of spam detection. - Protect Your Primary Domain
Your business’s primary domain is your brand identity. Using it for cold outreach is risky because one mistake could damage its reputation. A poor sender reputation can impact all emails sent from that domain, even transactional emails. - Increase Deliverability Rates
Multiple domains improve email deliverability by avoiding bulk sending from a single domain. ESPs see smaller volumes of emails from each domain, which seems more natural and less spammy. - Experiment with Strategies
Having multiple domains allows you to test different email templates, personalization techniques, and strategies without impacting your primary domain’s performance. - Reduce the Risk of Blacklisting
If one domain gets flagged or blacklisted, your other domains remain unaffected. This reduces the risk of your entire email outreach operation coming to a halt.
How to Use Multiple Domains Effectively
1. Choose Similar Domains
When registering multiple domains, use names that are similar to your primary domain. For example, if your main domain is example.com
, you can register variations like:
example.co
example.org
examplemail.com
This keeps your outreach consistent with your brand while diversifying your domains.
2. Warm Up Each Domain
New domains must be warmed up before sending cold emails. ESPs don’t trust new domains sending large volumes of emails. Here’s how to warm up a domain:
- Send a small number of emails daily (10–15 emails initially).
- Gradually increase the volume over 3–4 weeks.
- Use tools like Snov or Warmy to automate the warm-up process.
3. Authenticate Your Domains
Proper email authentication improves deliverability. Set up SPF, DKIM, and DMARC records for each domain. These protocols verify that your emails are legitimate and not sent by spammers.
4. Rotate Domains Strategically
Use different domains for different campaigns or segments. For instance:
- Domain 1: Outreach to small businesses
- Domain 2: Outreach to enterprise clients
- Domain 3: Follow-ups
This ensures no single domain is overused.
5. Monitor Performance
Track the performance of each domain to identify issues early. Use tools like Snov.io, Apollo to monitor metrics like open rates, click-through rates, and bounce rates.
FAQs
Q1. Do I need a separate email tool for each domain?
Not necessarily. Most cold outreach tools like Snov.io or Apollo allow you to manage multiple domains within one account.
Q2. How many domains should I use?
It depends on your email volume and campaigns. As a general rule, use 2–3 domains for small campaigns and 5–10 for larger operations.
Q3. Are there additional costs for multiple domains?
Yes, but the costs are minimal. Registering a domain typically costs $10–15 per year, which is a small price to pay for better deliverability.
Q4. Can I use free email domains like Gmail or Yahoo?
No, free email domains are unprofessional and more likely to get flagged as spam. Always use custom domains.
Tools to Help Manage Multiple Domains
Here are some tools that make managing multiple domains for cold outreach easier:
- Snov.io
- Features: Email finder, campaign automation, and domain tracking
- Why it’s great: You can easily manage multiple domains and monitor email deliverability.
- Instantly
- Features: AI-based domain warm-up and performance tracking
- Why it’s great: Automates domain warm-up to improve trust with ESPs.
- Apollo
- Features: Email sequencing, CRM integration, and reporting
- Why it’s great: Perfect for managing large-scale campaigns with multiple domains.
- Lemlist
- Features: Personalization, A/B testing, and deliverability optimization
- Why it’s great: Helps rotate domains and improve email reputation.
- Google Workspace
- Features: Professional email hosting
- Why it’s great: Reliable and scalable for managing custom email domains.
Addressing Pain Points
1. Poor Deliverability
Using one domain for all outreach creates deliverability issues. By rotating multiple domains, you reduce the risk of emails going to spam.
2. Limited Scalability
Relying on a single domain limits your outreach capacity. Multiple domains allow you to scale campaigns without compromising quality.
3. Blacklisting Worries
Fear of blacklisting is common. Multiple domains act as a safety net, ensuring your outreach doesn’t grind to a halt.
4. Lack of Metrics
With multiple domains, you can track campaign performance more effectively. Analyze which domain delivers the best results and optimize accordingly.
Innovations in the Industry
Recent advancements in email marketing have made managing multiple domains easier. Tools like Snov.io now offer AI-driven insights to improve domain reputation. Additionally, Spintax formatting allows for dynamic email personalization, reducing the chance of spam detection.
Moreover, platforms like Warmbox automate the entire warm-up process, saving time and effort. These innovations make using multiple domains more accessible than ever.
Step-by-Step Guide to Getting Started
- Register Multiple Domains: Choose domains that align with your brand. Cheapest domain to register from Namecheap
- Authenticate Each Domain: Set up SPF, DKIM, and DMARC.
- Warm Up Domains: Use tools like Snov or Warmbox.
- Set Up Email Campaigns: Use platforms like Snov.io or Apollo.
- Track Performance: Monitor open rates, click-through rates, and bounces.
- Optimize Continuously: Test and tweak your strategy based on results.
Conclusion
When it comes to cold email outreach, using multiple domains isn’t just smart—it’s essential. This strategy boosts deliverability, protects your primary domain, and ensures scalability.
As someone who’s worked extensively with tools like Snov.io, Apollo, and Instantly, I (Yusuf Rangwala) can help you set up and optimize your cold outreach campaigns. Whether you’re a startup or an established brand, my expertise can ensure your emails land in inboxes, not spam folders.
Ready to take your cold outreach to the next level? Let’s connect today!