Having your emails land in the spam folder is the worst. Without proper SPF and deliverability tracking, your hard work winds up totally ignored.
But not to worry! This guide has you covered on everything from configuring SPF with Campaign Monitor to advanced monitoring techniques for getting your emails safely to the inbox.
Why Proper SPF Configuration is Critical for Email Deliverability
Have you ever gotten an email claiming to be from your bank or a social media platform like Facebook, asking you to click a link and log in to “secure your account”? These types of phishing scams are everywhere, and show no signs of going away.
That’s why proper SPF configuration is so important for businesses sending legitimate emails. SPF (Sender Policy Framework) helps prevent spoofing by allowing receivers to verify the sender is who they claim to be.
Let’s break down how it works and why you should make SPF setup a priority for your domain.
How SPF Works and Its Role in Preventing Spoofing
When you receive an email, your mail server does a behind-the-scenes check to see if the sending server is authorized to send emails from that domain. SPF gives you a way to publish a list of authorized sending servers.
For example, if I own example.com and use Mailgun to send emails on my behalf, I can create an SPF record like:
v=spf1 include:mailgun.org ~all
This tells receiving servers that Mailgun’s servers are allowed to send mail from example.com. If an email claiming to be from example.com comes from some other server, the receiver can identify it as spoofed.
SPF stops scammers dead in their tracks, preventing them from freely impersonating your brand in phishing attacks. Not having proper SPF means anyone can send spoofed emails pretending to be you. No bueno.
Common SPF Setup Errors to Avoid
Given how important SPF is, you’ll want to avoid these common configuration mistakes:
- Typos in your record – a small typo means emails fail the check and hurt your sender reputation. Double check!
- Too many DNS lookups – SPF has a limit of 10 DNS lookups to prevent overloading DNS servers. Streamline your record.
- Invalid syntax – SPF has specific syntax like ~all at the end. Test your record to be sure it’s valid.
Botching your SPF gives you a spammy reputation. Use SPF record generators and testers to get it right the first time.
Special Considerations for Configuring SPF with Campaign Monitor
Campaign Monitor handles the return path domain on your behalf, so SPF alignment isn’t possible. Don’t try adding their include or your SPF will fail checks.
Focus on getting your DKIM record configured (more on that later). You’ll still get DMARC alignment as long as DKIM passes, letting your emails flow freely to the inbox.
With spoofing on the rise, proper SPF setup is table stakes. Follow best practices and you can rest assured knowing your domain is protected.
Step-by-Step Guide to Campaign Monitor SPF Setup
Alright, time to roll up our sleeves and walk through adding an SPF record to maximize deliverability for your Campaign Monitor emails.
This process is simple once you know where to click. Let’s get started!
Determine the Appropriate SPF Record
First, you need to figure out the correct SPF record syntax.
Since Campaign Monitor handles the return path, your SPF just needs to include their servers. The record should be:
v=spf1 include:_spf.createsend.com ~all
This authorizes Campaign Monitor’s servers to send mail on your behalf.
Add the SPF TXT Record to Your DNS
Now that you have the appropriate record, it’s time to add it to your DNS configuration:
- Log in to your domain registrar or DNS host.
- Create a new TXT record.
- Enter your domain name in the “Host” or “Name” field (e.g. example.com).
- Paste the SPF record value into the TXT or “Value” field.
- Save the record.
And that’s it – you’ve added SPF to your DNS. Now it just needs to propagate.
Verify Successful Propagation
DNS changes take time to spread across the internet. To check propagation:
- Wait at least 72 hours for propagation.
- Use an SPF record checker to validate your record is visible and valid.
- Check your email logs to confirm SPF is passing.
Once propagated, you’ve successfully set up SPF for Campaign Monitor! Give yourself a pat on the back.
With your custom SPF record in place, you can stop spammers from impersonating your domain. Now your deliverability is primed and ready for inbox success.
Advanced Tools to Enhance Your Email Delivery Tracking
Once you have SPF setup and are sending emails, the next step is making sure those emails reliably reach inboxes. Robust email tracking provides the visibility you need.
Let’s explore some advanced tools that give you an edge for monitoring email delivery.
Real-Time Analytics for Identifying Issues Quickly
Wouldn’t it be nice to know right away if your emails hit a snag? Real-time analytics give you this power.
Instead of waiting for scheduled reports, you get alerts and dashboards updated in real-time. As soon as a deliverability issue pops up, you can jump on it before it causes lasting damage.
For example, if you suddenly see a spike in spam complaints or drops in engagement, you can quickly diagnose the problem and resolve it.
Real-time data helps you optimize deliverability on the fly.
Comparing Performance Against Industry Benchmarks
How do you know your email metrics are any good? Industry benchmark data provides context on your performance.
Tools like Litmus track email statistics across all industries. You can see metrics like:
- Average open rates (around 20-25%)
- Industry-specific open rates (e.g. 32% for media and publishing)
- Average clickthrough rates (2-5% on average)
Comparing your rates to benchmarks shows where you excel and spots with room for improvement.
It also helps you set realistic goals. If the average open rate is 20%, expecting 80% open rates will leave you disappointed. Know the benchmarks.
Monitoring Traffic Across Devices and Clients
Your emails need to look great across all devices and email clients.
Robust email tracking lets you monitor open rates for:
- Mobile vs. desktop
- iPhone vs. Gmail vs. Outlook etc.
If you see low open rates on mobile, you can optimize your emails for smaller screens. Same for underperforming email clients.
This data helps ensure your emails render perfectly everywhere, driving higher engagement.
Signs It’s Time to Invest in More Robust Email Monitoring
How do you know when your current email tracking just isn’t cutting it? Here are a few signs it’s time to upgrade:
- You don’t have real-time tracking and alerts.
- You have no way to view email client or device data.
- It’s difficult to diagnose deliverability issues.
- You lack deeper metrics like spam complaint rates.
- No ability to compare performance to industry averages.
If you’re flying blind without robust visibility, now may be the time to invest in more advanced tools.
The right tracking takes the headache out of monitoring email delivery and helps your campaigns thrive. Don’t settle for the bare minimum – arm yourself with information and unlock your full potential.
Key Takeaways for Optimizing Campaign Monitor SPF and Email Delivery
We’ve covered a lot of ground when it comes to configuring SPF with Campaign Monitor and tracking email delivery.
Let’s recap the main takeaways:
- Proper SPF configuration is critical to prevent spoofing and protect your domain’s sender reputation. Follow best practices when setting up your record.
- For Campaign Monitor, you just need to include their servers in your SPF record since they handle the return path domain.
- When adding your SPF record, double check for typos, invalid syntax, and too many DNS lookups to avoid common errors.
- Monitor key metrics like delivery rates, bounce rates, spam complaints, and engagement over time to enhance email deliverability.
- Use real-time analytics and advanced tools to quickly identify deliverability issues before they escalate.
- Regularly review your performance compared to industry benchmark rates.
- Check your email rendering across different devices and email clients, optimizing based on opens.
- Signs like lack of real-time visibility indicate it’s time to upgrade your email tracking capabilities.
By mastering SPF setup with Campaign Monitor and leveraging robust email delivery tracking, you can confidently send marketing emails that reach inboxes.
Constantly fine-tune your campaigns based on data-driven insights. With the deliverability tips covered, you’re ready to make your email marketing shine.
Frequently Asked Questions
Still have some questions about properly configuring SPF for Campaign Monitor and monitoring your email delivery? Here are answers to some common FAQs:
Why can’t I get SPF alignment with Campaign Monitor?
Since Campaign Monitor handles the return path domain on your behalf, SPF alignment isn’t possible. Don’t try to include their servers in your SPF record – it will fail checks. Focus on getting your DKIM record set up properly.
What’s the difference between a hard and soft bounce?
A hard bounce is a permanent delivery failure, meaning the email address is invalid. Soft bounces are temporary failures that can be fixed, like a full mailbox. Hard bounces hurt your sender reputation.
What’s a good delivery rate benchmark to aim for?
Industry experts recommend aiming for at least 90-95% delivery rates to be considered good. Anything below 85% should be investigated to identify improvements.
How often should I check my SPF/DKIM records?
Experts recommend checking your authentication records at least every couple weeks, more frequently if sending high email volumes. This helps catch issues early.
What engagement metrics are most important?
Focus on monitoring open rates, click-through rates, and unsubscribe rates over time. Increasing engagement helps improve deliverability.
How quickly do DNS record changes propagate?
It takes approximately 72 hours for DNS changes to propagate across the internet. Use SPF/DKIM validators to confirm records have updated.
What causes spam complaints?
Irrelevant content, purchasing lists, lack of personalization, and spammy words can cause recipients to report your emails as spam. Monitor complaint rates.
What is inbox placement rate?
Inbox placement rate measures the percentage of emails that make it to the recipient’s inbox vs. the spam folder. Aim for rates above 90%.