IP Warm-Up: Why You Must Do It, Even If It Feels Like a Hassle
“IP warm-up? I just want to send my campaign now !” This is a common thought—but skipping IP warm-up can cost you blocks, reputational damage, and low deliverability rates. Here’s why it matters and how to do it right.
A “Cold” IP: Not Just Unfamiliar, But Suspicious
Imagine arriving at a party with old friends—you’re welcomed. Now imagine showing up to a random party and handing out hundreds of business cards at once. You’d likely be kicked out.
That’s what happens when you send a large volume of emails from a new, “cold” IP. Mailbox providers like Gmail Bulk Sender Guidelines and Outlook Deliverability Best Practices have no sending history for you—they see a potential spammer and dump your mail into the spam folder.
It’s Not Rocket Science, It’s the Science of Trust
IP warm-up is a controlled process to build trust gradually. The logic is simple:
- Start Small and Cautiously: Send just 50–100 emails per day at first to establish a positive sending history.
- Smart Recipient Selection: Begin with your most engaged list—your Customer Club members who opened and clicked recently.
- Gradual Volume Increase: After a few successful days, raise volume by 20–30% at a time, only if your open and click rates remain strong.
- Consistent Monitoring: Watch for bounces and spam complaints. If rates spike, pause, revert to a lower volume, then resume warming.
Recommended Tools & Resources
- SendGrid IP Warm-Up Guide
- Mailchimp Shared IP Warm-Up Overview
- Litmus: The Ultimate Guide to IP Warm-Up
The Bottom Line: Patience Pays Off
Though it may feel like extra work, IP warm-up lays the foundation for a successful email marketing strategy. A few weeks of careful warm-up build strong sender reputation, ensure high deliverability, and prevent blocks.