The Best Time of Day to Send Marketing Emails for Maximum Engagement

Email marketing remains one of the most effective digital marketing strategies, but timing plays a crucial role in determining whether your emails get opened, read, or ignored. Choosing the right time to send your marketing emails can significantly improve open rates, click-through rates (CTR), and conversions.

General Best Times to Send Marketing Emails

Multiple studies from email marketing platforms like Mailchimp, HubSpot, and Campaign Monitor suggest the following optimal sending times:

• Best Days: Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday
• Best Times:
  • Morning (8 AM – 10 AM) – People often check emails after starting their workday.
  • Midday (12 PM – 2 PM) – Lunch breaks mean higher email engagement.
  • Late Afternoon (3 PM – 5 PM) – A final email check before wrapping up work.

Avoid sending emails late at night (after 8 PM) or early morning (before 6 AM), as they may get buried in inboxes.

Best Email Times by Industry

Different industries see varying engagement patterns. Here’s a breakdown:

1. B2B (Business-to-Business)

• Best Time: Tuesday or Wednesday, between 9 AM – 11 AM
• Why? Professionals check emails early in the workweek.

2. B2C (Business-to-Consumer)

• Best Time: Weekdays between 12 PM – 4 PM or weekends (for e-commerce)
• Why? Consumers engage more during breaks or leisure time.

3. E-Commerce & Retail

• Best Time: Weekdays (1 PM – 3 PM) or weekends (11 AM – 2 PM)
• Why? Shoppers browse during lunch breaks or weekends.

4. Nonprofits & Fundraising

• Best Time: Midweek mornings (10 AM – 12 PM)
• Why? Donors are more responsive during work hours.

5. SaaS & Tech Companies

• Best Time: Tuesday or Thursday, 10 AM – 12 PM
• Why? Decision-makers review tools and updates early in the week.

Factors That Influence the Best Time to Send Emails

While general trends help, the best time for your audience may vary based on:

• Time Zones – Segment your list and schedule emails based on recipients’ locations.
• Audience Behavior – Analyze past email performance to identify peak engagement times.
• Email Type – Transactional emails (order confirmations) perform differently than promotional emails.
• Mobile vs. Desktop Usage – Mobile users check emails more frequently in the evening.

How to Find Your Optimal Email Sending Time

1. A/B Test Different Times – Send emails at varying times and compare open rates.
2. Analyze Past Campaigns – Use email analytics to spot trends in engagement.
3. Segment Your Audience – Different groups (e.g., working professionals vs. students) may prefer different times.
4. Use AI & Automation – Tools like HubSpot and ActiveCampaign optimize send times based on user behavior.

While studies suggest that mid-morning and early afternoon on weekdays are generally the best times to send marketing emails, the key is to test and refine based on your audience’s behavior. By leveraging data and automation, you can maximize engagement and drive better results from your email campaigns.