Troubleshooting low email open rates, checking DKIM configuration, and warming up a new subdomain in Salesforce Marketing Cloud (SFMC) requires a multi-faceted approach combining technical setup, strategic campaign execution, and continuous monitoring. Key steps include testing your email configuration with tools like aboutmy.email, ensuring proper DKIM configuration in SFMC (particularly for bulk mail), utilizing a functioning reply-to mailbox, and selecting the correct SFMC sender profile (likely profile 2). To improve open rates, focus on optimizing subject lines, segmenting your audience, cleaning email lists, and sending at optimal times. Proper email authentication with SPF, DKIM, and DMARC is crucial for deliverability. For new subdomains/IPs, warm-up gradually by sending to engaged subscribers and monitoring sender reputation. DKIM configuration involves generating a key, adding it to your DNS, and validating with tools like MXToolbox. Start DMARC implementation with a 'p=none' policy to monitor email flows before tightening restrictions. Factors impacting open rates significantly include list quality, sender reputation, content relevance, and authentication.
9 marketer opinions
Troubleshooting low email open rates, verifying DKIM configuration, and warming up a new subdomain in Salesforce Marketing Cloud involves several key strategies. To improve open rates, focus on optimizing subject lines, segmenting your audience, cleaning email lists, and sending emails at optimal times. Ensuring proper email authentication with SPF, DKIM, and DMARC is crucial for deliverability and avoiding spam filters. For DKIM configuration, add the DKIM record provided by your ESP to your DNS settings and use tools like MXToolbox to verify the configuration. When warming up a new subdomain or IP, gradually increase sending volume to engaged users and monitor your sender reputation. A gradual email warming strategy is essential and should start several weeks before your campaign.
Marketer view
Email marketer from SparkPost shares that a good IP warming strategy involves starting with a small volume of emails to your most engaged users and gradually increasing the volume over time. Monitor your sender reputation and adjust the sending schedule as needed.
9 Apr 2025 - SparkPost
Marketer view
Email marketer from StackExchange forum says, you can use online tools like MXToolbox or DKIM Record Lookup to verify your DKIM record is correctly configured in your DNS settings. These tools will confirm if the record is valid and properly set up.
18 Oct 2023 - StackExchange
9 expert opinions
Troubleshooting low email open rates, checking DKIM configuration, and warming up a new subdomain in Salesforce Marketing Cloud involves several expert recommendations. Start by testing your email configuration using tools like aboutmy.email to identify authentication and setup issues. Ensure that your SFMC profiles are correctly configured for DKIM signing, especially for bulk mail sent to Gmail and Yahoo. Use a real mailbox for sending emails. Choose sender profile 2 within SFMC, which is likely configured with your SAP domain, and consider using RMM for reply management. Changing to a new subdomain requires a proper warm-up. Key factors influencing open rates include list quality, sender reputation, content relevance, and proper email authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC). Warm up new IP addresses with small volumes to engaged subscribers, increasing volume gradually based on positive engagement and ISP feedback. Start DMARC implementation with a 'p=none' policy to monitor impact and then adjust to stricter policies.
Expert view
Expert from Word to the Wise shares that when implementing DMARC, start with a policy of 'p=none' to monitor email flows without affecting deliverability. Analyze DMARC reports to identify authentication issues and gradually transition to stricter policies like 'p=quarantine' or 'p=reject' as confidence in authentication increases.
26 Apr 2025 - Word to the Wise
Expert view
Expert from Email Geeks says if you change to the subdomain yes, if you only change the alias it should be fine.
18 Nov 2024 - Email Geeks
5 technical articles
Troubleshooting low email open rates, checking DKIM configuration, and warming up a new subdomain in Salesforce Marketing Cloud requires adherence to email deliverability best practices. Improving open rates involves authentication, list hygiene, and engagement strategies, which can be managed using Salesforce Marketing Cloud tools. Configuring DKIM in Marketing Cloud entails generating a DKIM key, adding the DKIM record to your DNS, and configuring the key within Marketing Cloud Setup. Warming up a new subdomain or IP address requires a gradual increase in sending volume over weeks to establish a positive reputation with ISPs, starting with engaged subscribers and close monitoring of deliverability metrics. General DKIM setup includes generating a key and adding it to DNS records to authenticate messages, while broader email deliverability improvements involve configuring SPF, DKIM, and DMARC to avoid spam filters.
Technical article
Documentation from Microsoft Learn mentions to improve email deliverability, configure SPF, DKIM, and DMARC records to authenticate your email. This ensures your email isn't marked as spam by recipient servers.
27 Sep 2022 - Microsoft Learn
Technical article
Documentation from Salesforce Help states the process for warming up a new subdomain or IP address involves gradually increasing sending volume over several weeks to build a positive reputation with ISPs. Start with your most engaged subscribers and monitor deliverability metrics closely.
12 Dec 2021 - Salesforce Help
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