You've probably heard that its 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 its important to have enough domains to do things right, or else your entire cold outreach campaign will have poor deliverability and waste your time.
| Daily Volume | Email Accounts | Domains Required | Total Domain Cost | Configuration |
|---|
Note: These calculations assume equal distribution across accounts and domains. With winnr domain cost from $5-$11 per year depending on TLD.
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.
Before diving into specific recommendations, it's important to understand why the number of domains you use for cold email is significant:
Using just one domain for cold email is the simplest approach and works well in specific scenarios.
Best for:
Advantages:
Limitations:
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 deliverabilty 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.
Regardless of how many domains you use, follow these best practices for optimal results:
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.
Let's examine how different businesses implement domain strategies:
Example 1: Solopreneur Consultant
Example 2: Medium Volume
Example 3: Medium/Large Volume
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.
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:
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.