Know the Facts about E-mail Delivery

E-mail Strategies by Mike Barnett

RISMEDIA, July 15, 2008-E-mail is the most important functionality provided by the Internet today. To enhance services for current users and to add functionality for our new clients, we have made several changes in our e-mail platform. These changes have sparked a number of inquiries.

Many of these questions apply across the board not only for our clients, but for those using other systems. These changes provide our customers with an e-mail strategy that allows them to stay ahead of the curve and on top of the shifts in technology in the delivery of business e-mail.

In today’s world of spam, spam blockers, blacklists and other e-mail limitations, it can be tough. After all, you don’t know what you don’t know. The facts regarding the non-delivery of e-mail is not a scare tactic-it is for real and happening every day.

As a point of reference, InternetCrusade handles the delivery of millions of pieces of e-mail destined for tens of thousands of recipients daily-and we log each communication, in and out.

While this isn’t a large number, as compared to all the e-mail sent everyday on the Internet, it is a large enough sampling to get accurate readings on trends in the market, including policies and procedures that are currently being implemented by different e-mail carriers that “refuse data” (such as attachments and imbedded photos) if not perfectly “authenticated.”

We have verified these new policies by contacting the different e-mail carriers ourselves. E-mail is a moving target. Make sure your e-mail carrier is working to improve the proper delivery of e-mail rather than blocking when they think something is spam.

For the record, all of our e-mail (which is properly addressed) is being delivered. However, the policies of many ISPs may prevent your e-mail from being delivered.

We invite all of you to share in some of the innovations in the new e-mail Heaven (http://e-mailHeaven.RealTown.com).

Mike Barnett is CTO/VP of Technology for InternetCrusade’s RealTown.com.

For more information, please visit www.realtown.com or e-mail Mike@MikeBarnett.com.