You've probably heard that it's not a good idea to use your main domain for sending cold email. If it gets blacklisted, it could cause mission-critical business emails to get lost in the spam folder. This means you have to use lookalike domains for any cold outreach you are doing. But how many domains should you use? Domains are expensive, but it's important to have enough domains to do things right, or else your entire cold outreach campaign will have poor deliverability and waste your time.

Target Daily Email Volume: 750
100 20,000
Daily Volume Email Accounts Domains Required Total Domain Cost Configuration
Formula: Domains = Daily Email Volume ÷ (Emails per Account × Accounts per Domain)

Note: These calculations assume equal distribution across accounts and domains. With winnr domain cost from $5-$11 per year depending on TLD.

Domain Pricing

We've done our best to provide domains at rock bottom prices. Here's a quick overview of domain costs at winnr:

Tip: Mix and match different TLDs to reduce costs. If you are wondering about the impact of TLDs on deliverability, read here.

Why Domain Count Matters

Before diving into specific recommendations, it's important to understand why the number of domains you use for cold email is significant:

The Single Domain Approach

Using just one domain for cold email is the simplest approach and works well in specific scenarios.

Best for:

Advantages:

Limitations:

The Multi-Domain Strategy

As sending volume increases, a multi-domain strategy becomes necessary to maintain deliverability and manage risk. At winnr we highly recommend taking a multi-domain approach to scale your email outreach for optimal deliverability and results.

Best for:

Advantages:

Limitations:

Case Study: At winnr we recommend that you use at least 10 domains which gives you great redundancy, high sending capacity with optimal insurance for good deliverability.

Domain Strategy Best Practices

Regardless of how many domains you use, follow these best practices for optimal results:

Domain Naming Strategies

If you're implementing a multi-domain approach, consider these naming strategies:

Brand Variations:

Function-Based:

Audience-Based:

Campaign-Based:

Whichever approach you choose, ensure domains appear legitimate and professional. Avoid domains that look spammy or deceptive, as these can trigger spam filters regardless of your sending practices.

Real-World Examples

Let's examine how different businesses implement domain strategies:

Example 1: Solopreneur Consultant

Example 2: Medium Volume

Example 3: Medium/Large Volume

When to Add More Domains

Consider adding domains to your strategy when:

Remember that each new domain requires proper setup, warmup, authentication, and a 2-6 week warming period before full-scale use. Plan accordingly to avoid disrupting your ongoing campaigns.

Conclusion: Finding The Sweet Spot

The optimal number of domains for cold email isn't a one-size-fits-all answer but depends on your specific business needs, sending volume, and resources. In 2025's deliverability landscape, the key is finding the right balance between risk distribution and manageable complexity.

For most businesses, the sweet spot lies in having just enough domains to:

  1. Keep daily sending volume per domain within recommended limits
  2. Provide reasonable risk distribution
  3. Remain manageable with your available resources

Start with the framework provided in this guide, implement proper domain management practices, and adjust your strategy based on deliverability results and business growth. With the right domain strategy, you'll maximize inbox placement and set your cold email campaigns up for success in 2025 and beyond.