SMTP Relay

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BTR

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Topic # 201578 25-Aug-2016 10:16

Hi Guys, can anyone make some recommendations on a SMTP relay service please. We have a few services that need to be able to send bulk emails once of twice a month.

We currently use Google App's but for security reason they don;t allow use of their smtp servers without a login credentials BUT the software we are using is rubbish and doesn't allow the use of login details, it simply has fields for sending address, server address and port number.

We were using Snaps SMTP server however they seem to have moved the goal posts when it comes to how many emails you can send at once. Usually we seen 200-700 at once.

Dynamic

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Reply # 1617226 25-Aug-2016 10:21

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SMTP2GO.com has been brilliant for us and for clients when a 3rd party SMTP server is required. I think they are Chch based. I've not used it or seen it used for marketing emails.

You may be better served by a marketing email platform like MailChimp.

"4 wheels move the body. 2 wheels move the soul."

“Don't believe anything you read on the net. Except this. Well, including this, I suppose.” Douglas Adams

Critter

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Reply # 1617244 25-Aug-2016 11:01

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In a similar situation I've just set up Exim locally to accept the messages and then send them on via an external service using encryption and authentication. Mailgun for example is free for 10,000 emails a month.

It's not very hard to set up, just need a Linux machine/VM.

jaymz

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Reply # 1617246 25-Aug-2016 11:03

Not sure of your setup and if you have a Windows Server or not, but might i suggest if you have a windows server that you setup IIS to SMTP relay:

https://technet.microsoft.com/en-NZ/library/dn592151(v=exchg.150).aspx

That way you can enter your Google Apps details into the SMTP relay settings in IIS and relay mail that way. IIS can be configured as an unauthenticated relay for your software.

1101

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Reply # 1617248 25-Aug-2016 11:05

quote : "BUT the software we are using is rubbish and doesn't allow the use of login details"

I cant see any 3rd party smtp service allowing that : for obvious reasons ( they would be used by every spammer out there)

You also need to be very aware of NZ Law regarding bulk emails .
If its marketing type of email : you need to consider whats in those emails (add an opt out ) and dont assume you can just use email lists without the recipients permission
to send to them .

Dynamic

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Reply # 1617272 25-Aug-2016 11:30

1101:

quote : I cant see any 3rd party smtp service allowing that : for obvious reasons

SMTP2GO has some allowances for this.

"4 wheels move the body. 2 wheels move the soul."

“Don't believe anything you read on the net. Except this. Well, including this, I suppose.” Douglas Adams

jnimmo

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Reply # 1617278 25-Aug-2016 11:46

https://www.mandrill.com/ is quite nice but they have recently changed pricing structure and now require a paid MailChimp subscription

SendGrid might be a good option for $10 US a month or Amazon SES (no idea if that would cost anything)

EDIT: I see Smtp2Go is cheaper than these options, looks good

chevrolux

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Reply # 1617283 25-Aug-2016 11:59

SMTP2GO is what we use. Its awesomely easy to use.

Allows for open relay based on public IP address. Or you can set up a username/password and then connect with plan auth, or even ssl.

Tockly

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Reply # 1617285 25-Aug-2016 12:01

+1 for SMTP2GO....

BTR

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Reply # 1617348 25-Aug-2016 13:13

Awesome thanks for the responses, the emails are not marketing, they are payslips and invoices.

askelon

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Reply # 1617437 25-Aug-2016 15:53

Ive used Sendgrid multiple times. One customer uses them for sending their mailing list out regularly (around 15k emails per month). Another one uses it as her normal SMTP server as shes convinced its too hard to use mailing lists and emails everyone one by one via outlook (around 1000-2000/mo)

yitz

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Reply # 1617452 25-Aug-2016 16:08

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If you choose to use an relay service like SMTP2GO, you should update your SPF records otherwise the emails you send will all go into the recipients spam folder.

BTR

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Reply # 1620569 1-Sep-2016 07:59

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Awesome thank you everyone for your suggestions, I signed up to SMTP2go and it works perfectly. Thanks!