top of page

Unlocking the Deliverability Score: Navigating E-Commerce Email Success

Updated: Mar 15

In the vast realm of email marketing, sending an email is just the tip of the iceberg. The real challenge lies in ensuring it reaches the intended inbox. With the clutter of promotional tabs, spam filters, and ever-changing algorithms, email deliverability has evolved into a sophisticated blend of strategy and finesse. At the heart of this evolution is the "Deliverability Score," a pivotal metric designed to amplify email campaigns by measuring user interactions. Dive into this game-changing aspect of email marketing.


Key Components of Email Deliverability: 


  1. Sender Reputation:  Derived from metrics like bounce rates, recipient feedback, and overall engagement, this score is a testament to your email marketing prowess.

  2. Email Structure:  The content, keywords, link authenticity, and design of the email play a pivotal role in its deliverability.

  3. User Engagement Patterns:  Open rates, click-through data, and unread deletion frequency shed light on an email's relevance.

  4. Verifying Authenticity:  Protocols like DKIM, SPF, and DMARC are essential in confirming the email's genuine origin.


Decoding the Deliverability Score: 

For a robust email marketing strategy, segmenting based on recent audience engagement is crucial. The Deliverability Score offers a systematic categorization:


  • Best:  Engaged users who've taken significant actions, such as clicking a link or purchasing, within the recent 90 days.

  •  Better:  Those who've shown interest by interacting in the past 180 days.

  •  Good:  Individuals who've engaged within the last 270 days.

  •  Non-Send:  Recipients with no notable activity in the above periods, indicating lower engagement.

It's essential to note that the effectiveness of the "Good, Better, Best" approach is maximized when all other list cleaning and key components of email deliverability are addressed first. Remember, these categories should be flexible. Email Service Providers, especially platforms like Outlook, have unique engagement sensitivity. Adjust these segments to match optimal deliverability standards.


Navigating Send Patterns: The Lifecycle Approach


One of the frequently overlooked elements in email deliverability is the send pattern. A well-structured send pattern not only ensures that your emails reach the inboxes but also that they resonate with your audience’s current engagement levels:


  • Best: At this tier, where users are at their peak engagement, you want to be in regular touch. This could involve sending them all communication, from newsletters to promotional offers. Their recent interactions make them more likely to engage further, reinforcing the feedback loop of high deliverability.

  • Better: As users transition to this bracket, it's an indicator that while they're still engaged, they might be experiencing some level of content fatigue. It's prudent to scale back slightly, perhaps focusing on more tailored and high-value content.

  • Good: For this audience segment, consider “stay in touch” messages or monthly digests. They've demonstrated some interest, but it's essential to remain top-of-mind without overwhelming them.

  • Non-Send: When a user reaches this stage, their lack of engagement can be detrimental to your send reputation. Rather than continually trying to re-engage them, it might be more effective, and reputation-saving, to drop them entirely from your send list.

However, it's essential to differentiate between send patterns and consent. Send patterns are derived from engagement metrics, whereas consent is an explicit agreement from the subscriber to receive communications. Opt-out vs. Non-Send: While the "Non-Send" category represents those who haven’t engaged, it doesn’t necessarily mean they've opted out. An opt-out is a deliberate action where the user no longer wishes to receive emails, which is more severe than merely not engaging. Failing to respect opt-outs can harm sender reputation, and in many jurisdictions, it can have legal implications.


 Advantages of Harnessing the Deliverability Score: 


  • Smarter Outreach:  Targeting the most engaged boosts open and click-through rates, enhancing sender reputation.

  • Reduced Bounce-backs:  Treading carefully with the non-send group reduces undelivered emails.

  • Customized Messaging:  Insights into past engagement inform content personalization, ensuring greater relevance.

Adapting to Diverse Email Platforms:


Whether it's Gmail, Yahoo, or the stringent Outlook, each ESP has its way of interpreting emails. As an email marketing maestro, adapting to these nuances is vital to ensure your messages land in the right inboxes.


In the competitive arena of email marketing, mastering email deliverability nuances can set you apart. By harnessing tools like the Deliverability Score, businesses can traverse the intricate pathways of digital communication more adeptly, ensuring their messages not only land but also resonate.


Thank you for joining us on this journey 😄


We genuinely appreciate you diving deep into our deliverability series. Your dedication to understanding the intricacies of email marketing is truly commendable. As we conclude this series, we hope you're equipped with valuable insights and actionable strategies to enhance your email campaigns. Should you have any further questions or need assistance in implementing these strategies, please don't hesitate to contact us. We're here to help! Thank you for being an engaged reader, and here's to achieving unparalleled email success together.


bottom of page