How to Choose Domain and Email Names for Your Cold Emails

In the realm of cold email marketing, it’s all about the little things. From crafting compelling content to ensuring your emails actually reach the inbox, each element plays a crucial role in the success of your campaign. However, there’s a component that’s often underrated but equally vital—the selection of domain and email names. This seemingly small decision can either make you invisible, blending you into the endless spam folder abyss, or elevate you to legendary status in the inbox. Let’s dive into how you can ensure it’s always the latter, shall we?

Why Bother With Your Domain and Email Names?

First things first, why does any of this even matter? Well, imagine this: you’ve crafted the most epic cold email known to mankind, but it’s getting ghosted left and right. The culprit? Probably a lackluster domain and email name combo that’s screaming “I’m spam!” louder than a car salesman. It’s not the vibe we want to be going for.

Here’s the deal – picking a domain for your cold email campaigns isn’t just about grabbing something that sounds cool. It’s about strategy. This is how to pick a winner:

1. Stick to Recognizable Domain Extensions

When it comes to domain extensions, opting for a .com or a country-specific extension (like .us, .uk, or .au) is crucial for maintaining a professional image and ensuring high deliverability rates. Avoid going for unique or trendy extensions like .net, .co, .xyz, or .llc, as these can often trigger spam filters or dilute your brand’s credibility.

2. Numbers and Dashes? Skip ‘Em

Phishing attempts often use numbers instead of letters (e.g., ‘0’ instead of ‘o’) or insert dashes to mimic reputable domain names. Email providers are on high alert for such tactics, so steer clear of them to avoid a one-way ticket to Spamville.

3. Misspellings are Duds, Avoid Them

Steer clear of misspellings or nearly identical variations of your main domain because they can also be perceived as phishing by email providers.

4. Stay Clear of Marketing Buzzwords, They are Buzzkills

Avoid using a domain that’s stuffed with marketing buzzwords (looking at you, “consulting”). You want to stand out for the right reasons, not because your domain looks sketchy and induces eye rolls.

5. Use Short Words for Variation

Adding short, relevant words before your main domain (e.g., “get”, “try”, “join”) can provide useful variations without harming deliverability. They can also offer a clear call to action while staying true to your brand.

Crafting Email Addresses That Work

Got your domain? Sweet. Now let’s talk email addresses. For optimal balance between deliverability and cost-efficiency, limit yourself to two or three email addresses per domain.

Here are simple naming conventions you can use to name your emails:

Email #1: First name (e.g., [email protected])

Email #2: First name + last initial (e.g., [email protected])

Email #3: First name + middle initial + last initial (e.g., [email protected])

Monitor the performance of your different domain and email combinations to identify what works best for your target audience. Adjust your strategy based on these insights to continuously improve your campaign’s effectiveness.

Wrapping It Up

Alright, now that you’re armed with your killer domains and email names, you’re all set to take the cold email world by storm. But do remember, this is your chance to make a killer first impression. So if you’d like some more tips on how to make your cold emails not just seen but loved, check out our ultimate guide to writing subject lines that’ll have your prospects clicking faster than you can say “open sesame.”

PS: Request outbound experts to review your cold email setup here!

Author:

Michael Gardiner

Michael is a cold email expert with 9 years of experience, having worked with over 250 B2B companies ranging from startups to Fortune 500s. Outside of work, you will find him traveling around the world with a goal to set foot in every country.