Verified Mark Certificate, Common Mark Certificate & BIMI

Done-for-You, Start to Finish

If you want your emails to stand out in a crowded inbox and instantly look more trustworthy, this service does exactly that. I take care of the whole process for you, from the groundwork to the final certificate. No faff, no jargon, and no wrestling with DNS records or SVGs.

With this in place, your emails show your official company logo right next to your messages in supported inboxes. It gives you more credibility, improves recognition, and sends a clear signal that you’re the real deal.

If you’ve ever wondered how some businesses get that smart branded icon next to their emails, this is how. And now you can have it sorted for your company without needing any technical knowledge at all.

This is the BIMI email standard in action  → 

BIMI email icon screenshot

What is VMC, CMC and BIMI?

BIMI
BIMI stands for Brand Indicators for Message Identification. It’s a standard that lets your official logo appear next to your emails in supported inboxes. It works alongside your existing email authentication (SPF, DKIM and DMARC) to prove you’re a genuine sender, not a spoof or scam.

VMC (Verified Mark Certificate)
A VMC is a digital certificate issued by an approved authority that confirms your logo is officially yours and properly trademarked. It’s what allows your full brand logo to appear in inbox previews. Think of it as a verified badge for your emails.

CMC (Common Mark Certificate)
A CMC is similar to a VMC but designed for businesses that don’t have a registered trademark. It still verifies your brand, but with slightly different rules and no need for a trademark. It’s quicker and usually cheaper to issue, making it ideal for smaller businesses.

In short:

  • BIMI is the framework that displays your logo.
  • VMC is the top-level certificate used when your logo is trademarked.
  • CMC is the easier alternative for non-trademarked logos.

All three work together to help your emails look trustworthy, polished and instantly recognisable.

What this service actually includes

  1. Full BIMI setup
    I’ll set up all the required DNS records so your domain is ready for BIMI. Most businesses get stuck here. You won’t have to.
  2. DMARC alignment and enforcement
    This is essential for BIMI to work. I’ll make sure your domain is fully aligned and passes enforcement safely.
  3. Preparing your logo in the correct trademark-ready SVG format
    BIMI needs a very specific type of logo. I’ll handle the formatting, exporting and compliance because even if you have an SVG for your logo already, certain code will need adding and some will need changing or removing.
  4. Supplying your Verified or Common Marker Certificate (VMC or CMC)
    This is the official certificate you need for your logo to be displayed. I’ll work directly with the certificate provider on your behalf.
  5. Testing, verification and inbox checks
    I’ll make sure everything is displaying correctly before you go live.
  6. Ongoing support
    If anything changes with your domain or hosting in future, I’ll help get it all back on track.

Who this is for

This service suits businesses that:

  • Care about credibility and trust
  • Want better inbox visibility
  • Send email outreach, marketing or client communications
  • Want a small competitive edge that most of their rivals won’t have
  • Prefer to have everything handled for them rather than learning the technical side

If you’re serious about looking the part, this is one of the cleanest ways to show it.

Why this makes your emails more trustworthy

BIMI and VMC work together to prove that:

  • You own your domain
  • Your emails are authenticated
  • Your logo is trademarked or officially verified
  • You’re not spoofing or pretending to be someone else

Inbox providers love this because it reduces phishing and improves security. As a result, your emails look more authoritative, and you often see higher open rates because your brand becomes instantly recognisable at a glance.

It’s like having a blue tick sitting next to every email you send.

Pricing

Common Mark Certificate (CMC)

£135 per month + VAT (billed annually)

≈ $170 USD per month (for guidance only - exchange rates will impact this)

This package covers everything needed to get BIMI live without a registered trademark.

Your Common Mark Certificate, full BIMI setup, logo formatting, DMARC alignment and all testing are included. I handle the full process end to end, including working around the extra constraints that come with a CMC.

CMC is the right fit if your logo is not trademarked yet, or if you want to get BIMI working now while keeping costs lower.

Please note that future domain changes aren’t included, as these can require a fresh setup or additional configuration work. If anything does change later, I’m happy to help and can quote separately.

No hidden extras. No surprises. Just a clean, all-in annual package.

Verified Mark Certificate (VMC)

£185 per month + VAT (billed annually)

≈ $235 USD per month (for guidance only - exchange rates will impact this) 

This package is designed for organisations with a registered trademark who want the strongest possible BIMI setup.

Your Verified Mark Certificate, full BIMI setup, trademarked logo formatting, DMARC alignment and all testing are included. Everything is handled for you from start to finish.

VMC offers broader mailbox provider support and fewer limitations than CMC, which is why it comes at a higher cost.

Please note that future domain changes aren’t included, as these often require a fresh setup or additional configuration work. If anything does change later, I’m happy to help and can quote separately.

No hidden extras. No surprises. Just a clean, all-in annual package.

Ready to get started?

Get in touch and I'll be happy to talk you through how it all works and answer any questions.

Ready to get started?

Step 1 - Quick chat
You’ll tell me your domain, your email setup and send over your logo.

Step 2 - Logo formatting
I’ll prepare your logo in the exact SVG format required.

Step 3 - DMARC alignment
I’ll sort your SPF, DKIM and DMARC so everything passes enforcement safely.

Step 4 - BIMI records added
I’ll create and publish the right DNS records so your domain is BIMI-ready.

Step 5 - Certificate issued
I’ll liaise with the certificate provider and handle the paperwork.

Step 6 - Final checks
I’ll test everything and confirm when the logo starts appearing in inbox previews.

Step 7 - Ongoing support
If you ever switch hosts, domains or email systems, I’ll help keep everything working.

Comparison: Me vs DIY / Buying Direct

Feature Doing It Yourself Buying Direct from a CA My Done-for-You Service
BIMI DNS setup ➖ Can be confusing ❌ Not included ✅ Included 
DMARC alignment ➖ Requires technical know-how ❌ Not included ✅ Included
Logo formatting ➖ Needs specialist SVG work ❌ Not included ✅ Included
Certificate ordering ➖ You handle everything ➖ You handle everything ✅ I manage the full process
Troubleshooting ➖ You’re on your own ➖ Minimal ✅ Full ongoing support
Total time needed ➖ Several hours or days ➖ Several hours ✅ Just a few minutes of your time
Price clarity Often unclear Varies £135/185 per month + VAT, all-in

FAQ's

Do I need a trademark for my logo?

In most cases, yes for a full VMC, but there are newer options (like Common Mark Certificates) that can help if you don’t have one. I’ll explain the options during our chat.

What if I go for a CMC now and then get my logo trademarked for a VMC later?

Certificates are issued on a 12-month basis. We’ll get you set up on a CMC first and make sure everything is ready for a smooth move to a VMC when your trademark is in place, usually as the CMC approaches renewal (unless you’d prefer to upgrade sooner).

Because certificates can’t be pro-rated or refunded, any overlap between the two is down to how early you choose to upgrade.

Will my logo show for everyone?

It shows in inboxes that support BIMI. Apple Mail, Yahoo and others already support it, and adoption is growing.

Does this improve deliverability?

It contributes to trust signals, which can help. But the main benefit is credibility and visibility.

How long does it take?

Usually a couple of weeks depending on how quickly the certificate authority processes things.

Is the annual fee all-inclusive?

Yes. It covers the certificate, my time, updates, fixes and ongoing support.

What if I change email provider later?

Just let me know and I’ll make the necessary adjustments.