When it comes to cold email outreach, using your primary business domain can put your brand's reputation at risk.
That's why setting up a secondary domain specifically for your cold email campaigns is crucial.
WHY USE A SECONDARY DOMAIN FOR COLD OUTREACH?
Safeguards your primary domain's reputation in case of any issues with your cold email campaigns
Allows you to scale your outreach efforts without jeopardizing your main business email
Provides a dedicated space for your cold outreach, separating it from your primary email communications
We recommend using Luna's email infrastructure
If you want an easy, fast, and cheap way to buy additional domains and e-mail addresses, we recommend using Luna's email infrastructure; it was built specifically for cold email outreach.
Luna allows you to buy multiple domains and e-mail addresses in bulk easily. We also automatically set the proper DNS settings (DMARC, SPF, DKIM).
Do you prefer other email registrars? Keep reading.
Step-by-Step Guide to Buying a Secondary Domain
Step 1: Choose a Domain Name
Select a domain name that aligns with your brand and sounds trustworthy
Consider using a variation of your primary domain (e.g., yourbrand.io,getyourbrand.dev, getyourbrand.ai, yourbrandoutreach.com)
Keep the domain name short, easy to remember, and free of hyphens or numbers
Use a reputable domain registrar like GoDaddy
Step 2: Check Domain Availability
Use the domain registrar's search tool to check if your desired domain name is available
If your first choice is taken, consider alternative extensions (.co, .net, .io) or slight variations of the name
Avoid using trademarked or copyrighted names to prevent legal issues
Step 3: Purchase the Domain
Once you've found an available domain, add it to your cart and proceed to checkout
Choose the registration period (1-5 years) and select any additional services (e.g., privacy protection)
Provide your contact and billing information to complete the purchase
Wait for the confirmation email from your domain registrar
Step 4: Configure DNS Settings
Log in to your domain registrar's control panel and navigate to the DNS settings
Set up the necessary records for your email hosting provider (MX records, CNAME, etc.)
Add TXT records for SPF, DKIM, and DMARC to authenticate your domain and prevent spoofing
Allow up to 48 hours for the DNS changes to propagate fully
Step 5: Set Up Email Hosting
Choose a reliable email hosting provider like Google or Microsoft
Create a new account using your secondary domain and set up your email addresses
Configure your email client (e.g., Gmail, Outlook) to send and receive emails from your secondary domain
Test your email setup by sending a message to a personal email address and checking for any delivery issues
Best Practices for Managing Your Secondary Domain
Keep your primary and secondary domains separate to maintain a clear distinction between your main business and cold outreach
Use a dedicated email address on your secondary domain for all cold outreach communications
Monitor your secondary domain's reputation using tools like Google Postmaster Tools and Sender Score
Regularly clean your email list and practice good email hygiene to maintain a positive sending reputation
Consider using an email warmup tool like Luna to build your secondary domain's reputation automatically
More on email warmup can be found in this article.
Wrapping up
Setting up a secondary domain for your cold email outreach is a smart way to protect your primary domain's reputation and improve your email deliverability.
By following this step-by-step guide and adhering to best practices, you can confidently scale your outreach efforts without putting your main business email at risk.
Remember, a secondary domain is just one piece of the puzzle regarding successful cold outreach. Be sure also to implement email authentication, practice good email hygiene, and follow best practices for crafting compelling email content.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
Always use a secondary domain for cold outreach to safeguard your primary domain's reputation
Choose a domain name that aligns with your brand and sounds trustworthy
Configure your DNS settings and set up email hosting for your secondary domain
Keep your primary and secondary domains separate and use a dedicated email address for cold outreach
Monitor your secondary domain's reputation and regularly clean your email list to maintain a positive sending reputation
By leveraging a secondary domain and following these guidelines, you'll be well-equipped to confidently tackle cold email outreach and achieve better results for your business.
Happy emailing!