How to Configure Email Records for Outbound Success

Properly setting up email records is a key component to cold email success.

Email records act as a form of authentication for receiving and sending emails. Emails sent from unauthenticated and improperly configured domains are likely to end up in the spam folder.

You must follow key steps unique to each email service provider (Google, Outlook, Office365).

The main DNS records to authenticate your domain are SPF, DKIM, and DMARC.

SPF refers to Sender Policy Framework - it is a validation process used to prevent spam by verifying the sender’s IP address. Setting up your SPF is vital to inform email servers that you are sending from an authenticated email domain.

DKIM refers to DomainKeys Identified Mail. This is the second layer of authentication when sending emails to various servers. DKIM shows ownership of your email account by your organization. It exists to stop emails that seem suspicious of spam or phishing from being received by your email server.

DMARC is the final authentication record that ties the SPF and DKIM authentication together and verifies who you are as a sender. DMARC takes between 24-48 hours to be fully authenticated.

Most ESPs provide a guide on how to properly configure your domain records. Once everything is set up, start warming up your email inbox and then you’ll be good to go to start sending.