If you’re in charge of B2B email for a go-to-market push, you already know the game isn’t just about crafting killer copy. If your messages land in spam, nobody cares how clever your subject line is. That’s where deliverability tools come in. Inboxally is one of the buzzy names in this space, promising to boost your inbox placement so you don’t shout into the void. But not every feature is worth your time or money. Let’s break down what actually matters so you can cut through the noise.
Who Should Care—And Who Shouldn’t
This guide is for marketers, founders, or growth folks who send cold outreach or nurture campaigns, especially at the B2B level. If you’re sending newsletters to a warm list that loves you, most of these deliverability concerns aren’t as urgent. But if you’re trying to get in front of busy decision-makers who don’t know you yet, read on.
What Inboxally Does (And What It Doesn’t)
First, a quick reality check. Inboxally isn’t magic. It doesn’t guarantee every cold email you send lands in the inbox. What it really does is help you “train” mailbox providers (like Gmail, Outlook, Yahoo) to see your emails as wanted, not spammy. It does this by simulating real engagement—opening, clicking, moving messages to the inbox, and so on—using a network of real mailboxes.
But tools like this have limits. You still need good sending infrastructure and legit content. If your emails are full of spammy words, busted HTML, or bad links, don’t expect a miracle.
The Key Features That Actually Matter
Let’s cut to it. Here’s what’s worth focusing on when evaluating Inboxally for your B2B go-to-market efforts.
1. Engagement Network Quality
What to Look For: - Is the network made up of real, aged mailboxes (not just throwaway accounts)? - Are there enough mailboxes on the domains you care about (Gmail, Outlook, etc.)? - Can you see stats on where your emails land and how they’re interacted with?
Why It Matters:
A bunch of fake accounts won’t move the needle. You want a network that mimics real-world scenarios, especially for the types of inboxes your prospects use. If you’re targeting enterprise, focus on Outlook/Office 365. For startups, Gmail is key.
What to Ignore:
Big claims about “millions of mailboxes.” Quality beats quantity. If they can’t show you the breakdown, be skeptical.
2. Customizable Engagement Scenarios
What to Look For: - Can you control the ratio of opens, clicks, replies, and flagging as “not spam”? - Can you schedule engagement over time (not just in one big burst)? - Does it support natural variations (so it doesn’t look robotic to mailbox providers)?
Why It Matters:
Mailbox algorithms look for patterns. If every message is opened and replied to in the same way, it’s a red flag. The ability to customize lets you mimic real user behavior, which helps “warm up” your sending reputation.
Pro Tip:
Start slow. Send small batches and ramp up. Sudden spikes in engagement can backfire.
3. Deliverability Reporting & Analytics
What to Look For: - Clear reporting on inbox vs. spam placement, broken down by provider. - Trends over time, not just a snapshot. - Alerts for deliverability issues before they become big problems.
Why It Matters:
You can’t fix what you can’t see. Good analytics let you spot issues fast—like if Gmail starts sidelining your emails—so you can change course before your whole campaign tanks.
What to Ignore:
“Score” dashboards that don’t tell you why you’re landing in spam. Pretty graphs are nice, but actionable data is what you need.
4. Sending Domain & IP Flexibility
What to Look For: - Easy integration with your sending domains (including multiple domains if you use them for outreach). - Support for dedicated IPs if you’re sending high volume. - Guidance on DNS setup (SPF, DKIM, DMARC), even if you’re non-technical.
Why It Matters:
If you’re using multiple domains or warming up a fresh one, flexibility is gold. The tool should fit your workflow, not the other way around.
Pro Tip:
Don’t skip the DNS setup. If Inboxally offers a checklist or tool for this, use it. It’s boring but critical.
5. Automation & Workflow Integration
What to Look For: - Can you automate the process, or is it all manual? - Integrations with your CRM or email platform (even Zapier counts). - Scheduling and set-and-forget options.
Why It Matters:
Nobody wants to babysit another dashboard. The more you can automate, the less likely you’ll let things slip. Plus, when deliverability work fits into your existing workflow, it actually gets done.
What to Ignore:
Gimmicky features like “AI-powered optimization” unless they show you exactly what’s happening and why it helps.
6. Support & Real-World Advice
What to Look For: - Responsive support that actually knows about B2B deliverability (not just reading from a script). - A knowledge base with practical guides, not just fluff. - Willingness to give straight answers about what you can realistically expect.
Why It Matters:
Email deliverability is finicky. Sometimes you need a human who’s seen your exact problem before. Good support can save you hours (or days) of guesswork.
What to Ignore:
Promise-heavy onboarding or “guarantees” that sound too good to be true. There are no silver bullets in email.
What Inboxally Won’t Fix
Let’s be honest; no deliverability tool can fix: - Bad lists (purchased, scraped, or ancient). - Spammy copy (“FREE!!!” “Act now!”). - Broken links, ugly design, or malware. - Sending at a rate that looks suspiciously high for your domain’s history.
If your fundamentals are off, Inboxally can’t bail you out. Fix the basics first.
Pricing: Worth It for B2B?
Inboxally isn’t cheap, especially for startups or small teams. But if your B2B sales motion depends on cold outreach, and one good client is worth thousands, it can pay for itself—if you use it correctly. Don’t buy it just to check a box. Make sure you or someone on your team will actually use the features that matter.
What to Skip (Unless You Love Tinkering)
You can safely ignore: - Fancy dashboards with “engagement heatmaps” that don’t translate to action. - Overly technical features if you don’t have a deliverability geek on staff. - “Growth hacking” features that sound like something a LinkedIn influencer would pitch.
Stick to the basics: reputation, reporting, and realistic engagement.
Simple Steps: How to Get the Most Out of Inboxally
-
Audit Your Current Deliverability:
Before you even sign up, check if you’re having real inboxing issues. Use simple tools like Mail-Tester or GlockApps for a baseline. -
Get Your Sending Infrastructure in Order:
Make sure your DNS records (SPF, DKIM, DMARC) are set up correctly. Don’t skip this. If you’re not technical, ask for help. -
Warm Up Gradually:
Use Inboxally’s engagement features to slowly build your reputation. Don’t go from zero to a thousand emails overnight. -
Monitor and Adjust:
Watch the analytics. If you see problems (like Gmail spam placement), tweak your sending patterns or copy. -
Keep It Clean:
Regularly clean your lists. Engagement training only works if you’re sending to real people who might eventually reply. -
Don’t Get Complacent:
Deliverability changes. Keep an eye on your reports even after you “graduate” from warming up.
Wrapping Up
Deliverability tools like Inboxally can be powerful allies—if you use them for what matters and skip the fluff. Focus on real engagement, clear analytics, and good support. Don’t get dazzled by shiny extras or empty promises. Keep it simple, fix your fundamentals, use the features that actually help, and check your results often. Iterate as you go. That’s how you get your B2B emails where they need to be: the inbox, not the void.