CRM Mailing Setup in Bitrix24: SMTP, SPF, DKIM with 99% Deliverability

A marketer exports contacts from CRM to Excel, uploads them to Mailchimp, sends a campaign, and then manually transfers opens and clicks back to Bitrix24. Double work, desynchronization, unsubscribers in Mailchimp remain subscribed in CRM. Over 5 years, we've configured over 50 campaigns directly in Bitrix24 — not a single client returned to Excel schemes.

A dedicated SMTP provides 99% deliverability without daily limits, but configuring DNS records SPF, DKIM, DMARC is mandatory — without them, deliverability drops by a factor of 3, and emails go to spam. Our clients save up to 30% on subscriptions to external services, and the setup pays for itself in 2–3 months.

How CRM Marketing works in Bitrix24

Campaigns are created in CRM → Marketing → Mailings. Available channels: email, SMS (through a connected provider), and messengers (if Open Lines are active). For email, Bitrix24 uses a built-in SMTP or an external service. The built-in SMTP delivers about 80% and is limited to 200 emails per day — unsuitable for bulk mailings. A dedicated SMTP (SendPulse, Unisender, Amazon SES) ensures 99% deliverability without limits. Mailings via dedicated SMTP are 3–4 times more reliable than via the built-in one.

How to create a mailing: step by step

1. Select segment. Who to send to: all contacts, clients with closed deals, leads from the last month, custom segment. We help set up dynamic segments based on deals and activity.
2. Create the message. Visual editor with drag-and-drop blocks: text, image, button, divider. Ready-made templates are available.
3. Field substitution. {{Name}}, {{Company}}, custom fields — personalization increases open rates by 25% according to our measurements.
4. Configure sender. Name, email, reply-to address.
5. Send. Immediately or on schedule.

Why proper deliverability setup matters

Even the most beautiful email is useless if it doesn't reach the recipient. We configure SPF, DKIM, and DMARC for each domain. This requires access to the DNS zone and takes about an hour. In a test mailing to 100 addresses, deliverability reaches 99% with correct records. Without them — about 80%.

What email templates can be used

Bitrix24 provides a visual editor with responsive layout. Capabilities:

• Block structure: header, text, image, CTA button
• Save templates for reuse
• HTML editor for fine-tuning

For complex templates with unique design, you can upload custom HTML. All our clients receive at least 5 ready-made templates as part of setup.

What's included in mailing setup

Here's the full "turnkey" scope of work:

• Connect SMTP service (SendPulse, Unisender, or Amazon SES)
• Configure DNS: SPF, DKIM, DMARC
• Create CRM segments for different types of mailings
• Develop 3–5 email templates in the visual editor
• Set up CRM field substitution (name, company, deal link)
• Set up unsubscribe link and handle unsubscribes in CRM
• Test mailing to a group, check display and links
• Handover and train the marketer (2 hours)
• Support for 30 days after launch

All stages are recorded in a checklist that we agree on before starting.

How to track mailing results?

After sending, detailed statistics are available in the mailing section: delivered, opened, clicked, unsubscribed, errors. Data is linked to CRM contacts — you can see who exactly opened the email and assign a task to a manager to call. This data linkage reduces reaction time to warm leads by 2 times compared to external services.

Comparison of SMTP providers for Bitrix24

Estimated timelines

Basic setup — from 3 to 5 business days. If custom integration with third-party services is needed (e.g., migrating history from Mailchimp) — the timeline extends to 10 days. The setup timeline and investment are determined individually after auditing the current CRM. Savings on external services can be significant, and the setup typically pays for itself within a few months.

Common setup mistakes

• Using built-in SMTP for bulk mailings (blocked by provider)
• Missing SPF/DKIM — emails go to spam
• Incorrect segments: e.g., sending again to customers who already purchased without excluding them
• Missing unsubscribe link (violates the Federal Law "On Advertising")

We guarantee that after our setup, your emails do not end up in spam, and clients receive relevant offers. Contact us for an audit of your current CRM mailing — we'll select the optimal configuration. Get a consultation on deliverability and budget savings.