# Warm up a new email domain the right way

> A brand new domain sending hundreds of emails on day one looks like spam. Here is how to build up slowly.

## What warm-up does

Inbox providers judge senders by history. A new domain has none. Warm-up builds a positive history by sending small, gradually increasing volumes of email that get opened and replied to.

## Step 1: Set up the domain properly

- register a domain close to your brand
- add SPF, DKIM and DMARC records
- set up a straightforward website on it, or redirect it to your main site
- create inboxes with real names (maria@, not sales1@)

## Step 2: Let it age a little

Brand-new domains are viewed with more suspicion. Even a short wait while you set things up helps.

## Step 3: Start small

Begin with a handful of emails a day per inbox and increase slowly over two to four weeks. Warm-up tools automate sending between a network of real inboxes that open, reply and mark emails as key.

## Step 4: Mix in real email

Send genuine emails from the inbox too: to colleagues, partners, newsletters you reply to. Real two-way conversations are the best signal.

## Step 5: Start campaigns gently

When you launch cold campaigns, keep warm-up running and ramp campaign volume slowly. Watch bounces and replies closely in the first weeks.

## Signs something is wrong

- emails landing in spam in seed tests
- rising bounce rate
- sudden drop in opens or replies

Slow down, check authentication and list quality, and fix the cause before sending more.

## Keep it healthy

Warm-up isn't one-off. Many senders keep a small amount of warm-up running permanently and rotate inboxes so no single inbox carries too much volume.

Related: [deliverability basics](https://getclient.pro/blog/cold-email-deliverability-basics)

## Frequently asked questions

### Can I skip warm-up if my list is clean?

A clean list helps a lot, but a new domain still has no reputation. Warming up first is the safer path.

### How many emails per day can a warmed-up inbox send?

It depends on the provider and your reputation. Many cold emailers keep each inbox to a modest daily volume and add inboxes rather than pushing one hard.

### Do I need a website on my sending domain?

It helps the domain look legitimate. A straightforward page or a redirect to your main site is common.

Source: https://getclient.pro/blog/warm-up-email-domain