Amazon Simple Email Service (SES) is a powerful tool that allows users to send up to 50,000 emails a day at a cost of just $1 for every 10,000 emails. However, before you can unlock this potential, you need to move your Amazon SES account out of the sandbox zone and gain production access. This article will guide you through the process, ensuring you avoid common pitfalls and get your account approved swiftly.
Why Move Out of the Sandbox Zone? #
- Increased Limit: In the sandbox zone, you’re restricted to sending only 200 emails per 24 hours. Moving out increases this limit to 50,000 emails a day.
- SMTP and API Credentials: To send emails using SMTP and API credentials, you need to have your Amazon SES account approved and out of the sandbox zone.
Steps to Move Amazon SES Out of the Sandbox Zone #
- Prepare Your Website: Before you send a request to Amazon SES, ensure your website is in top shape.
- It should have a professional landing page.
- Essential pages like ‘Contact Us’, ‘About Us’, ‘Terms of Service’, and ‘Privacy Policy’ should be present.
- Include at least one form for collecting emails. This helps communicate to Amazon SES that you’ve obtained emails with users’ permissions.
- Use a Template for Approval: A well-structured template can simplify the approval process.
- Submit the Request: Navigate to Amazon SES and click on ‘Request Production Access’. Fill in the required fields:
- Type of emails (Marketing or Transactional)
- Your website (Ensure it’s verified with Amazon SES)
- Use case description (Use the template provided above)
- Handle Rejections: It’s common for Amazon to initially reject your request. This is usually an automated response. Don’t be disheartened. Simply reply to the rejection email with the same message, starting with “As I said before…” and wait for 24 hours. Avoid applying on weekends as approvals are typically processed on business days.
Here’s a basic template you can use:
I am seeking approval from Amazon SES to utilize the service for sending email newsletters to my subscribers, as well as for transaction receipts and other essential business communications.
About my business: {describe your business in 30 words}
My website is integrated with my email system, including lead magnets, and I am committed to adhering to all Amazon SES guidelines and best practices to ensure responsible and high-quality email communication.
Your approval will greatly assist in enhancing my subscriber engagement and overall business operations.
After Approval #
Once your Amazon SES account is approved, it will look something like this: a daily sending limit of 50,000 emails. With your account now ready, you can send bulk emails efficiently. Platforms like SendMails.io can be integrated with Amazon SES, allowing you to send emails at very affordable rates. They offer various features like embedded forms, marketing automation, APIs, and integrations with tools like Zapier.
Conclusion #
Moving your Amazon SES account out of the sandbox zone is a straightforward process if you know the right steps. By ensuring your website is well-prepared and using a clear template for your request, you can easily gain production access and start sending bulk emails to your audience. If you have any questions or need further assistance, feel free to drop a comment below. Happy emailing!
