If you send out emails to your subscribers or customers, you already know how important it is to make sure your email list remains clean and up to date. A lot of factors can cause email bounces, from invalid email addresses, spam filters, and ISP rules to plain human error. In this guide, I will show you some actionable tips and strategies to help reduce email bounces and improve your email marketing campaign’s overall deliverability, 🚀so let’s dive right in!

âś… Verify your email list

Verifying your email list should be the first step to take to reduce email bounces. Use reliable email verification tools like ZeroBounce or Validity to clean your email list of invalid email addresses, spam traps, and other email addresses that are likely to bounce. This is important because sending emails to invalid or non-existent email addresses will hurt your sender reputation, and ISPs may start blocking your emails altogether.

A sparkling clean email list

🔍 Use a double opt-in process

If you’re not using double opt-in already, it’s time to start. A double opt-in process involves requiring subscribers to confirm their subscription by clicking a link sent to their email address. This way, you can verify that the subscriber actually wants to receive your emails and that their email address is valid. It may reduce your mailing list size, but it’s worth it as it ensures your subscribers are engaged.

A double opt-in process

đź”’ Make sure your domain and IP are not blacklisted

If your domain or IP is blacklisted, ISPs may start blocking your emails. Use trusted tools like MXToolbox or Spamhaus to check if your domain or IP is blacklisted and take necessary actions to make sure you’re delisted. Also, make sure you always comply with anti-spam laws and regulations to avoid being flagged or blacklisted.

Checking for blacklisted domains

📧 Use a professional email sender

Using a professional email sender like MailChimp, SendGrid, or HubSpot can help reduce email bounces. These email sending services have built-in spam filters and email verification systems that help ensure emails are delivered to the right people and that your sender reputation remains good.

Professional Email Sender

🛡️ Authenticate your emails

Authentication is verifying that the email sender is who they claim to be, and it’s essential in reducing email bounces. You can use authentication protocols like SPF (Sender Policy Framework) or DKIM (DomainKeys Identified Email) to authenticate your emails, and it will prove to ISPs that your email is legitimate and not spam.

Authentication protocols

🖥️ Test your emails before sending

Testing your emails before sending can help identify possible issues that may cause email bounces. Use email testing tools like Litmus or Email on Acid to test your emails in multiple email clients and devices to ensure they look good and are delivered to subscribers as intended.

Email testing tools

💻 Monitor your email campaign’s performance

Monitoring your email campaign’s performance can help you identify possible issues that may cause email bounces. Track your email opens, clicks, and unsubscribe rates to see if there are any drops in engagement and take corrective action if needed.

Tracking email campaign performance

🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Engage with your subscribers

Engaging with your subscribers can help reduce email bounces. Ask them for feedback, send them surveys or special offers, and thank them for being part of your email list. Engaging with your subscribers will make them feel valued, and they’re more likely to remain on your list or even refer others.

Engaging with subscribers

In conclusion, reducing email bounces requires a combination of best practices, following anti-spam laws, and ensuring you always put your subscribers’ interests first. By implementing the tips and strategies outlined in this guide, you can ensure your emails are delivered to the right people and that your email marketing campaign remains successful. So, go ahead, give it a try, and see the difference it makes! 🎉

An email marketing campaign