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How to Maintain a Healthy Sender Reputation: Klaviyo Sender Reputation Guide

Writer: Dispatch Strategy TeamDispatch Strategy Team

Introduction


A healthy Klaviyo sender reputation is vital for ensuring your marketing emails reach your subscribers' inboxes and avoid the dreaded spam folder. Your sender reputation is influenced by factors such as bounce rates, engagement metrics, spam complaints, and list hygiene. Maintaining a strong sender reputation is crucial for maximizing your email marketing performance, improving deliverability, and driving higher engagement rates. This guide will provide actionable strategies to help you maintain and improve your sender reputation in Klaviyo.

How to Maintain a Healthy Sender Reputation: Klaviyo Sender Reputation Guide

How Do I Maintain a Healthy Sender Reputation in Klaviyo?

To maintain a healthy sender reputation in Klaviyo, you need to focus on email deliverability best practices, manage your email lists properly, and optimize your email content. Implementing authentication protocols like SPF, DKIM, and DMARC, monitoring engagement metrics, and regularly cleaning your email list are critical steps to improve your sender score and maintain your email reputation in Klaviyo.


Step-by-Step Guide: Maintaining a Healthy Klaviyo Sender Reputation


1. Authenticate Your Sending Domain

a. Set Up SPF, DKIM, and DMARC

  • Go to Account > Settings > Domains and Hosting in Klaviyo.

  • Add and verify your domain.

  • Follow detailed steps to configure SPF, DKIM, and DMARC with your DNS provider.

b. Verify in Klaviyo

  • Return to Klaviyo and ensure all domain authentication checks are marked as Verified.

  • Proper authentication prevents email spoofing and builds trust with ISPs (Internet Service Providers).


2. Maintain a Clean Email List

a. Regularly Clean Your List

  • Navigate to Lists & Segments > Suppressed Profiles.

  • Automatically suppress hard bounces, spam complaints, and unsubscribed contacts.

  • Use a Sunset Flow to identify and remove unengaged subscribers.

b. Use Double Opt-In

  • Enable Double Opt-In under List Settings to verify subscribers before adding them to your list.

  • This reduces the risk of invalid emails and potential spam traps.


3. Monitor Key Metrics in Klaviyo

a. Keep an Eye on Engagement Metrics

  • Go to Analytics > Email Performance.

  • Monitor Open Rates, Click Rates, Bounce Rates, and Spam Complaints.

  • Healthy benchmarks:

    • Open Rate: Above 20%

    • Click Rate: Between 2-5%

    • Bounce Rate: Below 2%

    • Spam Complaint Rate: Below 0.1%

b. Segment Engaged Subscribers

  • Create dynamic segments for Engaged Subscribers (e.g., opened or clicked an email in the last 90 days).

  • Send campaigns only to highly engaged segments to boost deliverability.


4. Send Relevant and High-Quality Content

a. Avoid Spam Trigger Words

  • Common triggers include "Free," "Buy Now," and "Act Now."

  • Write subject lines that are clear, personalized, and not overly promotional.

b. Personalize Your Emails

  • Use Dynamic Blocks and Personalization Tags in Klaviyo to tailor content to individual subscribers.

  • Example: "Hi {{ first_name }}, check out our new arrivals!"

c. Maintain a Balanced Text-to-Image Ratio

  • Aim for a 60:40 ratio of text to images.

  • Always include Alt Text for images to improve accessibility.


5. Gradually Increase Sending Volume (Warming Up Your Domain)

a. Warm Up New Domains

  • If using a new sending domain, start by sending small email batches and gradually increase the volume.

  • This helps build a positive sender reputation with ISPs.

b. Maintain Consistent Sending Practices

  • Avoid large spikes in email volume.

  • Send emails consistently and avoid inactivity for extended periods.


Best Practices for Improving Your Klaviyo Sender Score


1. Implement a Preference Center

  • Allow subscribers to choose their email frequency and content preferences.

  • This reduces the risk of spam complaints and unsubscribes.


2. Use a Custom Sending Domain

  • Set up a Custom Sending Domain instead of using @klaviyomail.com.

  • This enhances your brand’s credibility and improves deliverability.


3. Test Emails Before Sending

  • Utilize Klaviyo’s Preview Mode and Inbox Preview tools.

  • Send test emails to ensure content displays correctly and avoid issues like broken links or poor formatting.


Common Mistakes to Avoid When Maintaining Klaviyo Sender Reputation


  • Buying Email Lists: Leads to high bounce rates and potential spam traps.


  • Ignoring Bounce and Suppression Management: Always manage bounces and regularly clean your suppression list.


  • Sending Irrelevant Content: Personalized and targeted campaigns have better engagement and lower unsubscribe rates.


Conclusion


Maintaining a healthy Klaviyo sender reputation requires consistent attention to email deliverability best practices, list hygiene, and engagement metrics. By implementing these strategies, you can boost your sender score, enhance your email reputation, and achieve higher engagement rates.


📩 If your email program is underperforming and you’re unsure how to optimize your sender reputation, let’s talk.


At Dispatch, we help brands maximize revenue from email & SMS without damaging subscriber engagement.


👉 Connect with Dispatch today to optimize your email marketing strategy.

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