How to Improve Email Open Rates in Brevo: 10 Practical Strategies
Key takeaways
- Open rate is the share of delivered emails that get opened.
- Apple’s privacy feature can make open rates look higher.
- Look at clicks too, not just opens.
- A clean list and a set-up domain help the most.
Open rates tell you whether your emails are being noticed in a busy inbox, but they are only one part of the picture. Good results usually come from many small improvements that work together, from technical setup to the words in your subject line.
What is an email open rate?
It is the share of delivered emails that people open, and it is a helpful sign, but not a perfect one. Apple Mail’s privacy feature can count opens that did not really happen, and so check clicks as well.
What are 10 ways to get more opens?
- Set up your domain with DKIM and DMARC. See how to use Brevo.
- Clean your list of bounces and long-quiet contacts. See list cleaning.
- Write clear subject lines that say what is inside. See subject line tips.
- Add preview text that adds to the subject.
- Use a sender name people know, like a first name plus your brand.
- Test two subject lines with A/B tests (Standard plan and up).
- Send at good times. Try a few, or use send-time help on Standard.
- Use segments so each email fits the reader. See segments.
- Add a personal touch, like a first name. See personal touches.
- Keep a steady schedule so readers know when to expect you.
How should you read your results?
Look at opens, clicks and unsubscribes together. If opens go up but clicks go down, your subject line may promise too much.
What is one more helpful tip?
Try to change only one thing at a time when you test, such as the subject line or the send time, so you can tell what actually made the difference. Keeping a simple spreadsheet of each campaign’s subject, send time, opens and clicks will help you spot patterns over a few months.
What does this look like in practice?
For example, a local coffee shop might test the subject line ‘New autumn drinks are here’ against ‘Your free pastry this week’ and then look at both opens and clicks to see which one actually brought people to the menu page.
Questions people ask
What is a good open rate?
It depends on your field and your list. Compare your own emails over time instead of chasing one number.
Why are my Brevo open rates low?
Common reasons are a domain that is not set up, an old list, weak subject lines and bad timing.
Brevo facts checked on brevo.com. We are independent and not linked to Brevo.
