12/11/2014 18:16
Why One Needs To Consider Email Deliverability
Forging an email is quite simple, and you may have had a first-hand experience of such deception in case you previously received an email that claims it is from your trusted bank, PayPal or any corporation you do business with, but actually came from somebody else.
If your firm is delivering emails through the e-mail and marketing automation software, then it’s essential that you have the correct set up because without it, there's a risk that these emails might end up in the junk folder if they will be flagged as ‘forged’.
There are two email verification techniques now, and they're known as the SPF and DKIM.
Explaining the Function of the DKIM and SPF
For instance, a letter was sent to you by your respected bank, which is requesting you to support a charity by giving a particular amount of money. You are thinking it’s a forgery, so you speak with your bank over the phone and verify if they really did send you the letter. Undoubtedly, you'll throw the letter aside if the bank informs you they did not send it.
SPF and DKIM work much like that phone call. The website of your firm will receive a notice from your email host (e.g. Yahoo or Gmail), and they'll be asking some questions for confirmation just like:
‘Is ExactTarget/Marketo/Responsis allowed to send emails on your behalf?’
Do not forget that your website will always reply ‘NO!’ and the email will go to the junk folder immediately if your DKIM and SPF isn't correctly set up.
The installation of the DKIM and SPF is the responsibility of your email marketing or marketing automation software installer. Nevertheless, this must have been set up but was deleted or damaged.
How will I know if my DKIM & SPF is appropriately installed?
If you're skilled in IT, then you could handle and set it up correctly but it's simpler to let your administrator look at your SPF or DKIM records. Another option is to call the support center of your email provider.
If you would like do it on your own, then try these simple steps.
Tips on how to Check your SPF Record
a. Goto https://mxtoolbox.com/spf.aspx
b. Type in your email domain
• E.g. ‘xyz.com’ if your e-mail address is john@xyz.com
c. Click on ‘SPF Record Lookup’
d. Look for a row which has a record beginning with ‘v=spf …’
• E.g. ‘v=spf1 +a +mx +ip4:66.147.244.117 include:mktomail.com ?all’
e. Look within this record for the following settings according to your e-mail or marketing automation software.
Email or Marketing Automation Software Precisely what to look for in the SPF Record
Constant Contact: ptr:constantcontact.com ptr:confirmedcc.com ..
Pardot: include:aspmx.pardot.com …
ExactTarget: include:cust-spf.exacttarget.com ..
Mailchimp: include:servers.mcsv.net ..
Hubspot: (doesn’t support SPF)
Marketo: (use the Marketo Health-checker to check email deliverability)
iContact: include:icpbounce.com …
Finding the text in the list only implies that your system has the right setup.
The Methods To Check Your DKIM Records
Most of the DKIM records are not freely obtainable, and they're also quite difficult to validate. It will be convenient for you to examine it if you will speak with your email provider. One application used by a few businesses is the Marketo. It enables them to verify email deliverability.
Those are the suggestions that can help when it comes to email deliverability. Hopefully, you already grasp the importance of DKIM and SPF.
