Email Deliverability (ListMonk, DKIM/Dmarc/SPF)
Tom Whitbread
Email Marketer
Backend Engineer
Email Development
Bash
Git
Linux
Gun Coyote
Project Overview:
The objective of this project was to establish an in-house SMTP Email sending service for the Guncoyote organization, thereby enabling self-managed email marketing and significant cost reduction on email communications.
Listmonk - up and running for over a million messages sent now!
Project Scope:
Setup of SMTP Server: I configured a dedicated SMTP server on the existing infrastructure. This required a server with root access and an IP capable of obtaining a reverse DNS. I used postfix for the SMTP daemon.
Selection and Implementation of Email Software:
Software Choice: We chose to deploy Listmonk, an open-source, self-hosted email campaign manager. This will be used for:
Segmenting customer lists.
Providing analytics on email campaigns.
Managing multiple lists and campaigns simultaneously.
Offering a robust email editor for design, with the flexibility to import custom HTML and CSS for limitless email design possibilities.
Project Benefits:
Cost Efficiency: By moving email services in-house, we eliminated per-email charges associated with SaaS email marketing platforms, leading to substantial overhead reduction.
Data Privacy and Security: Enhance data security by managing customer data internally, reducing reliance on third-party services.
Implementation Plan:
Infrastructure Assessment: Verify server capabilities and IP configurations.
Software Installation: Install Listmonk on the designated server.
Configuration:
Set up SMTP server, and enable the DMARC/DKIM to ensure deliverability.
Configure Listmonk with necessary settings for sending emails.
Consultancy and Support: Provide detailed guidance on all technical aspects, from server setup to software configuration.
Testing: Conduct thorough testing of the email delivery system to ensure functionality and compliance with email standards.
Documentation and Training: Deliver documentation and training sessions to ensure the team can manage and utilize the new system effectively.
Deliverables:
A fully operational in-house SMTP email service.
Installed and configured Listmonk software.
Documentation on setup, maintenance, and usage.
Training for internal staff on managing the email service.
Timeline:
Estimated duration: 3-5 weeks, depending on the existing infrastructure and learning curve during training.
This project transitioned the email marketing from a cloud-based, potentially costly model to a more controlled, cost-effective internal solution.
