deliverability Archives

Email deliverability or the ability to transmit communications successfully and reach its intended destination sans blocks, pre/post filtered spam

January 10, 2024September 27, 2024

Alpha Numeric Domain Salad

Solve Issues Finding A Domain Name

Use The Soup, Domain Soup

ICANN Helps with Alpha Numeric Domain Salad

Finding the right domain name

These days, it’s getting tougher by the minute. All the 3, 4, 5, 6 and some 7- letter combination domains are all gone (purchased). Now, what do I do?

A new year, a new you (business you). Move past the Alpha Numeric Domain Salad (or soup) and keep it simple and short. Questions, arise: Is it time to create a new domain or find an alternative? What’s a domain broker? Whatever the reason, the strategy might be more difficult than you think. With loads of questions, it’s time for a domain buying strategy. More and more our domain strategy is put to the test. Rankings, rage clicks, drops and more… all play a role in our evolving domain buying strategy. Keep ICANN handy, ICANN – stands for Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers; on second thought, get to know ICANN and NameCheap.

Try The Soup; Domain Name Soup

Try, the Domain Name Soup app, i.e the soup… I call it. Sometimes, the ‘soup’ is what you need to find a unique name, combination or similar sounding name. Do so with Domain Name Soup. It might help you move past the alpha numeric domain salad.

These days, with AI and old web tools like Domain Name Soup, you might find the trick you need to cover a client’s business name or a service provided in an area of expertise – all not a problem just a few years ago. Let’s start with domain brokers. We’ve used them, and they are what they are ‘at a price’. Guess who wins in that transaction? Again, unless you’re trying to purchase an existing stable domain, coming out of pocket might be your best bet.

Try Alternative Top Level Domains

Tip: when trying to evaluate your next move, start by finding a registrar. Begin with a few words that you feel represent your brand or influence. Try different domain sub-categories, partial and combined alpha-numeric characters, country codes and more.

We tend to avoid .org’s, .co’s, and other similar options. This may be more of a personal preference, or perhaps a slight nod to nostalgia for early dot.com days. Above all, aim to find something you can truly own for at least a year. Jokes aside, all domains come with an annual expense, whether you like it or not. It’s not the 20s or early 2000s anymore; now it’s all about X (formerly Twitter) handles, IG accounts, TikTok, ChatGPT, and AI algorithms. Find a domain that resonates with you. Consider getting a D.B.A. if needed (consult a lawyer for advice), or simply choose a catchy domain that’s available.

Domains can be pricey and finding the right one isn’t easy, but just find something you can work with and give it a try! In addition to ICANN, which can assist with domain research, consider using domain brokers like NameCheap (a popular registrar) or any of the thousands of others in the market. They can help you find a domain at the best price, that makes the most sense for your needs. Be cautious, as some domain owners prefer to remain private and may not want to be contacted. Be patient and make best decision for your business of brand.

Other Means of Support

While were fixing things today, let’s share a few other helpful tips. Such as cleaning up URLs, GoDaddy Bounceback services, email deliverability, knowing when to clear the cache, and how to Flush DNS on a Mac/Apple. Additionally,ipconfig /flushdns for Windows, and sudo systemd-resolve --flush-caches on Linux.

We’ll also cover how to maintain your digital footprint i.e. activity on the web and what to do when the interwebs are completely down; really down. Choose down detection. These tips are super handy when starting a new website from scratch because eventually, you will come across these issues in one way or another. It’s bound to happen.

September 20, 2023September 27, 2024

Clean Up URLs

Own Your Own Links, We Clean Up URLs

URLs Shortener, the Move To Tinurl, Cleanup Up URLs

Tech | Tools – Shortening URLs

Confirmed, URLs out…

Time to clean up URLs, rid your site of extended URLs and make them cleaner. An update on URLs (shortener): for the sake of time, we have purge our self-hosted url shortener. We’ve officially dropped the stand alone code from production. Try Tinurl, if you want to use such a service. Use something like the Tinyurl app/website… click here to learn more.

The apps has been around for awhile. Those of who you share links, swap links, etc., know that most companies have some form of URL ‘shortener’. Whether it is Amazon, YouTube or TinyURL themselves. Clean up URLs. Check out this short code via Amazon in this scenario. Scenario: College Kid is looking for a tablet, finds one and would like to share the find with someone – a.co/d/dBwmxaK, a pretty handy link… This is just a small example of short of the short code game, with a massive eCommerce site like Amazon. The same goes for YouTube share links… Anyhow, at some point, we will circle back to this topic and see if there is something worth investing in.

Before you leave, make sure to check off whatever is next on your to-do list. I’ll share one more tip with you. Hopefully, you are in the mood to clean up or declutter. Try using justdeleteme – “a directory of direct links to delete your account from web services”. You can learn more about it and the benefits of a great purge, justdeleteme article. We regularly purge old accounts and social sites as often as we can, and you can do the same. I personally delete and close out old account annually. It’s a great resource getting rid of unused services.

Other Means of Support

While were fixing things today, let’s share a few other helpful tips. Such as finding new domain name ideas, GoDaddy Bounceback services, email deliverability, knowing when to clear the cache, and how to Flush DNS on a Mac/Apple. Additionally,ipconfig /flushdns for Windows, and sudo systemd-resolve --flush-caches on Linux.

August 5, 2023September 27, 2024

GoDaddy Bounceback Services

Rolling With A Bounceback Services

Let’sLet’sReport Your Findings, A Bounceback Option

Tech | Tools – Email Support

Report A Bounceback Error

For those of you using Godaddy for hosting, consider trying GoDaddy Bounceback Services. Visit the Report A Bouncebak Error site for more information. If you need to investigate a rejected or bounceback message, or require more details from your hosting provide, this mini site can be useful, especially when troubleshooting returned emails. The same goes for Hostgator users – HostGator Bounceback Support is available as well.

If you are experiencing email issues, such as emails bouncing back, we encourage you to address the bounceback messages independently. However, proceed with caution and be mindful of the steps and actions you take. The tool requires raw data (source messages data) to function correctly. Moreover, understanding diagnostics, diagnostic system errors, and spam rejections may require some time. Stay patient and persistent.

To do this, open your local mail client suck as Outlook, Apple Mail or Gmail. The mail client app will offer a ‘view’ or ‘view message’ option. Choose to ‘view’ header data on a transmission, including both successful and unsuccessful sends.

If you find yourself in a hypothetical scenario, you may need to review a message that was likely transmitted correctly. This will be beneficial for future troubleshooting, as your familiarity with the interface will be useful. For instance, for those of you using MacOS, follow these steps: Open Mail => Find and Click Mail in Question, with the mail highlighted => Go to View => Scroll Down to Message => Chose either All Headers or Raw Source depending on the service that is requesting it . DIYers can also find online resources to troubleshoot on their own before contacting their hosting affiliate.

Report A Bouneback Error

The GoDaddy Bounceback Services website, also known as the Report A Bounceback Error site, will ask for .EML files from you. Once you have the message headers or raw sources, you will need to provide them to the bounceback tool. Save these files locally, and ensure they are saved in a readable format. Simply rename the files with the requested file type.

Simple right? If you can reach get to this point, most Tier 2 or support centers can investigate the email in question in greater detail. Although there is no standard SLA (Service Level Agreement) the typical timeframe is 12-24 hours depending on the order of magnitude; most will respond within a few days, some within a week, assuming limited or non-paid tech support.

January 12, 2023September 27, 2024

Email Issues; Deliverability

Testing Deliverability

MXToolbox, Solve Email and Deliverability Issues

Tech | Tools – Finding The Right Tools

The right tools for the right job, Email Issues; Deliverability. Give MX Toolbox at try.

Sometimes choosing the right tools is more about solving the right problem rather than creating more problems with additional tools. What do I mean by this? Are you experiencing domain issues, spam problems, or email deliverability challenges? If you need DNS assistance, consider using MX Toolbox. The MXToolbox web app offers a variety of tools to address DNS questions, domain issues, spam, or hacking concerns. I often rely on the MXToolbox “SuperTool” for support in these areas. This tool is incredibly useful to have in your digital toolbox for email, domain, and DNS support. Additionally, support representatives for tiered hosting, email, and specific applications can also provide valuable assistance.

ToolKit

Manage

Blacklist/p>

Commands

Lookup

Findings

Email Health

All Tools

All Tools Details

Tools Full Details

Verify

Anyway, take a look at the screenshots, no time like discovering deliverability issues just after the holiday. It’s good time to kick the tires on a less common issue these days. MX Toolbox is my goto when I need digital eyes on a problem. There are several images here, so hopefully you can get an idea of what’s available. You can also visit MX Toolbox – Supertool. Don’t overlook the ‘all tools’ link on the far right side of the main navigation, which is the ‘toolshed’ mentioned earlier. If you choose to click on the ‘all tools’ link, your next step will be to view All Tools in the tertiary navigation, specifically the first tab navigation in the main body.