Deliverability checklist

Email deliverability checklist for small businesses.

If email matters to your business, a short pre-send checklist can prevent a surprising number of spam-folder problems.

Spam scoreExplainable
AuthenticationSPF DKIM DMARC
Inbox riskPlain-English fixes
Before send Test Use a real message
Monthly Review Authentication and reputation
Always Align Domain and sender identity
After fixes Retest Confirm the improvement

Technical setup

Start with the sender domain. If authentication is broken, content tweaks will only get you so far.

  • SPF includes every legitimate sender.
  • DKIM is enabled and passing.
  • DMARC exists for the visible From domain.
  • MX and DNS records are consistent and current.

Message content

A normal business email should be clear, readable, and proportionate. Avoid patterns that make legitimate mail resemble bulk spam.

  • Subject line is specific and calm.
  • Body includes enough useful text.
  • Links are clear and not excessive.
  • Images support the message rather than replacing it.

Sender trust

Mailbox providers watch how recipients respond over time. Senders with good habits earn more trust.

  • Send only to people who expect the message.
  • Remove invalid or disengaged addresses.
  • Use a consistent From name and domain.
  • Monitor blacklist and domain health changes.

Operational checks

Deliverability gets easier when testing is part of the workflow rather than a panic step after something breaks.

  • Test important templates before using them.
  • Save reports so you can compare changes over time.
  • Monitor domains weekly for SPF, DKIM, DMARC, and MX drift.
  • Document fixes so future changes do not undo them.
FAQ

Common questions

How often should I check deliverability?

Test important new templates before sending and monitor domain authentication regularly. Weekly monitoring is a practical starting point.

What should I fix first?

Fix broken authentication first, then sender identity, then high-risk content and subject-line issues.

Next step

Forward a real email and see what SamuelGuard finds.

SamuelGuard gives you a spam risk score, delivery health, authentication checks, blacklist checks, content warnings, and practical fixes you can act on before the next send.

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