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Deliverability GuideMarch 10, 20267 min read
How to Warm Up a Cold Email Domain
Week-by-week schedule. Do and don't list.
warmupdomaindeliverabilityvolumeWarmup Schedule
| Week | Volume | Action |
|---|---|---|
| 1-2 | 5-10/day | Send to known contacts only; get replies |
| 3-4 | 15-25/day | Add light cold; keep reply rate high |
| 5-6 | 30-50/day | Scale gradually; monitor bounces and spam |
| 7+ | 50-100/day | Full volume if deliverability holds |
Do and Don't
Do
- ✓Use a dedicated domain for outreach (not your main domain)
- ✓Send real conversations, not blasts
- ✓Enable SPF, DKIM, DMARC before warming
- ✓Start low and increase volume slowly
Don't
- ×Jump to 100 emails/day on day one
- ×Use the domain for newsletters and cold outreach mixed
- ×Ignore bounce or spam complaints
Spam signals to avoid: what makes cold email look like spam. Deliverability tips: cold outreach without spam.
FAQ
How long does domain warmup take?
Typical timeline is 2-4 weeks for a new domain. Some providers recommend 4-6 weeks before heavy cold volume. The key is gradual volume increase and real engagement.
Can I skip warmup if I use a shared domain?
Provider shared domains are often pre-warmed. Your reputation still matters - poor content or high bounces will hurt. Use warmup for your own domain.
What if my domain gets flagged during warmup?
Reduce volume to 5-10/day for a week. Fix content if it triggers spam signals. See what makes cold email look like spam for common triggers.