Summary
A variety of tools and strategies are recommended for checking HTML email quality and deliverability. These span from code validation and cleaning using tools like HTML Crush and WordtoHTML.com, to pre-deployment testing via platforms such as Litmus and Email on Acid, which offer rendering previews and deliverability checks. For spam testing and deliverability monitoring, GlockApps and Mail-tester are highlighted, while SendForensics focuses on broader deliverability optimization. Maintaining a clean email list is addressed by services like ZeroBounce and NeverBounce, as well as Email Hippo's validation services. Tools such as MXToolbox and DKIMValidator.com, aid in DNS and DKIM record diagnostics, and Spamhaus and Google Postmaster Tools help track IP and domain reputation. The importance of adhering to standards, such as SMTP, from RFC-Editor, is emphasized alongside maintaining sender reputation through SPF, DKIM, and DMARC, as suggested by Mailjet. Experts recommend selecting tools that align with specific deliverability challenges, considering factors like inbox placement, authentication, and content analysis, and understanding the value of seed list testing as noted by Word to the Wise. Tools like Microsoft Message Analyzer and Wireshark can also be used, however this requires significant technical expertise.
Key findings
- Diverse Toolset: Numerous tools cater to different aspects of email quality and deliverability, including HTML validation, pre-deployment testing, spam testing, and deliverability optimization.
- Importance of Standards: Adhering to technical standards (e.g., SMTP) and authentication methods (SPF, DKIM, DMARC) is crucial for maintaining deliverability.
- Reputation Management: Monitoring and maintaining a good sender reputation is essential for inbox placement and avoiding spam filters.
- Specialized Testing: Specific tools are designed for particular aspects, such as mailbox provider testing (GlockApps, Mail-tester), domain reputation, (Spamhaus) and Gmail deliverability analytics (Google Postmaster Tools).
- List Hygiene: Email list validation services (ZeroBounce, NeverBounce, Email Hippo) are essential for reducing bounce rates and improving sender reputation.
Key considerations
- Alignment with Needs: Select tools based on the specific deliverability challenges your organization faces, such as rendering issues, spam filter avoidance, or authentication problems.
- Technical Proficiency: Some tools require a higher degree of technical expertise to utilize effectively, such as analyzing mail flow with Microsoft Message Analyzer or Wireshark.
- Holistic Approach: Adopt a holistic approach to email deliverability by combining various tools and strategies, including code validation, pre-deployment testing, authentication, and reputation monitoring.
- Seed List Testing: Seed list testing enables you to check that your email is landing into the correct destinations at the correct time.
What email marketers say
13 marketer opinions
Various tools and services are available to check HTML email quality and deliverability. These include HTML validators and cleaners like HTML Crush and WordtoHTML.com; pre-deployment testing platforms like Litmus and Email on Acid for rendering and deliverability checks; specialized spam testing services like GlockApps and Mail-tester; deliverability optimization services like SendForensics; email verification services like ZeroBounce and NeverBounce; and reputation monitoring tools. Some tools like Microsoft Message Analyzer require technical expertise.
Key opinions
- HTML Validation: HTML Crush and WordtoHTML.com help check and clean HTML code to improve email quality and reduce file size.
- Pre-Deployment Testing: Litmus and Email on Acid provide platforms for testing email rendering across different clients and devices, as well as deliverability checks.
- Spam Testing: GlockApps and Mail-tester specialize in spam testing and deliverability monitoring to identify potential issues.
- Deliverability Optimization: SendForensics focuses on deliverability optimization with tools for reputation monitoring and authentication analysis.
- Email Verification: ZeroBounce and NeverBounce are useful for verifying email addresses and reducing bounce rates.
Key considerations
- Technical Expertise: Some tools, like Microsoft Message Analyzer, require technical expertise to analyze mail flow effectively.
- Specific Needs: Different tools offer different strengths, so choose based on your specific deliverability challenges (e.g., rendering, spam filters, reputation).
- Reputation Management: Maintaining a good sender reputation through authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC) and avoiding spam traps is crucial for high deliverability.
Marketer view
Email marketer from Mailjet shares that maintaining a good sender reputation by authenticating your emails with SPF, DKIM, and DMARC, and avoiding spam traps, is crucial for high deliverability.
8 Feb 2022 - Mailjet
Marketer view
Email marketer from Email Hippo shares that Email Hippo provides advanced email validation services to identify and remove invalid or risky email addresses from your list, enhancing deliverability.
1 Apr 2023 - Email Hippo
What the experts say
2 expert opinions
Experts recommend choosing email deliverability tools based on your specific needs. Some tools, such as Return Path, focus on inbox placement, while others like dmarcian, focus on authentication. Seed list testing tools such as GlockApps and Mail-Tester, help track deliverability by sending emails to seed addresses and monitoring inbox placement.
Key opinions
- Tool Specialization: Deliverability tools offer different strengths; select based on specific needs like inbox placement, authentication, or content analysis.
- Seed List Testing: Seed list testing tools (e.g., GlockApps, Mail-Tester) track deliverability by monitoring inbox placement across various providers.
Key considerations
- Alignment with Challenges: Choose tools that directly address your specific deliverability issues.
- Seed List Management: Understand the process of seed list testing, which involves sending to a list of seed email addresses and monitoring results.
Expert view
Expert from Spam Resource explains that deliverability tools offer different strengths: some focus on inbox placement (like Return Path), others on authentication (like dmarcian), and some on content (like Litmus). Choose tools that align with your specific deliverability challenges.
7 Sep 2023 - Spam Resource
Expert view
Expert from Word to the Wise responds that seed list testing tools like GlockApps and Mail-Tester can help with your deliverability. This involves sending your emails to a list of seed email addresses across various mailbox providers and tracking where the email lands (inbox, spam, or missing) .
31 Mar 2022 - Word to the Wise
What the documentation says
6 technical articles
Various documentation sources recommend using specific tools and adhering to standards to check HTML email quality and ensure deliverability. Mail-tester provides a spam score by analyzing email content, DNS records, and server configuration. MXToolbox offers tools to diagnose server and DNS issues, including blacklist checks. DKIMValidator helps diagnose and validate DKIM records. RFC-Editor emphasizes conforming to technical standards like SMTP. Spamhaus provides resources to check for IP address or domain blacklisting. Google Postmaster Tools offers insights into sending reputation and spam rates for Gmail users.
Key findings
- Spam Scoring: Mail-tester provides a spam score based on email content, DNS, and server configuration analysis.
- DNS and Server Diagnostics: MXToolbox offers tools for diagnosing email server and DNS issues, including blacklist checks and MX record verification.
- DKIM Validation: DKIMValidator helps diagnose and validate DKIM records to ensure proper authentication.
- Standards Compliance: RFC-Editor highlights the importance of conforming to technical standards like SMTP for email format.
- Blacklist Monitoring: Spamhaus provides tools to check if your IP or domain is blacklisted.
- Gmail Insights: Google Postmaster Tools offers insights into sending reputation and spam rates specifically for Gmail users.
Key considerations
- Comprehensive Analysis: Use a combination of tools to comprehensively analyze email quality and deliverability factors.
- Technical Standards: Ensure compliance with technical standards like SMTP to avoid deliverability issues.
- Reputation Monitoring: Regularly monitor your sending reputation and blacklist status to maintain deliverability.
- Platform-Specific Tools: Utilize platform-specific tools like Google Postmaster Tools for insights into specific email providers.
Technical article
Documentation from DKIMValidator.com explains that DKIMValidator helps diagnose DKIM records and authentication to ensure it is setup correctly to help improve the sending reputation and deliverability.
11 Mar 2023 - DKIMValidator.com
Technical article
Documentation from Mail-tester explains that Mail-tester allows you to send an email to a unique address and then analyzes its content, DNS records, and server configuration to provide a spam score and identify potential issues.
20 Oct 2023 - Mail-tester.com
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