Do I need DMARC for transactional emails from a small website, and what are the best low-cost alternatives for sending emails if my IP is blocked?

Summary

For small websites sending transactional emails, implementing DMARC may be overkill and could potentially cause issues; prioritize configuring SPF and DKIM records correctly and monitoring IP reputation using online tools. If an IP block occurs, reputable third-party email sending services like SendGrid, Mailjet, Mailgun, Amazon SES, Postmark, and PostageApp provide cost-effective alternatives, often with free tiers or pay-as-you-go options, leveraging their established infrastructure and IP reputation. Gmail's SMTP server is another free alternative, but sending limits must be observed to avoid being flagged as spam. Explore cheaper SMTP relay services and DigitalOcean for setting up your own SMTP server, noting the technical expertise required. Monitoring sending reputation and avoiding OVH's IP space due to its poor reputation are also essential.

Key findings

  • DMARC Complexity: DMARC, while useful, can be complex and potentially problematic for small senders; focus on deliverability fundamentals first.
  • SPF/DKIM Paramount: Proper SPF and DKIM configuration are essential prerequisites, reducing the immediate need for DMARC.
  • IP Reputation Matters: A good IP reputation is crucial for email deliverability; monitor and address any blacklist issues promptly.
  • ESP Alternatives: Reputable ESPs like SendGrid, Mailjet, Mailgun, Amazon SES, Postmark, and PostageApp offer cost-effective alternatives to manage deliverability after IP blocks.
  • Free Options Exist: Gmail SMTP provides a free option but with sending limitations; Sendinblue and Mailjet offer free tiers with daily sending limits.

Key considerations

  • Scalability Needs: Evaluate your email volume and choose a solution that can scale with your business needs.
  • Technical Expertise: Setting up and maintaining your own SMTP server requires significant technical expertise and ongoing maintenance.
  • Third-Party Reliance: Using third-party ESPs places reliance on their infrastructure and policies; choose providers carefully.
  • Monitoring and Alerting: Implement robust monitoring and alerting to detect and respond to deliverability issues promptly.
  • Cost Analysis: Thoroughly analyze costs associated with each solution, including setup, maintenance, and usage fees.

What email marketers say
12Marketer opinions

For small websites sending transactional emails, DMARC may be overkill initially; focusing on SPF and DKIM setup and monitoring IP reputation is crucial. If IP reputation issues arise, cost-effective alternatives like Sendinblue, Mailjet, Amazon SES, SendGrid, Mailgun, and Postmark offer free or affordable plans with better deliverability. Gmail's SMTP server is another free option but has limitations. Monitoring IP reputation and exploring cheaper SMTP relay services are also recommended. Setting up your own SMTP server with DigitalOcean is an option, but requires more technical expertise.

Key opinions

  • DMARC Complexity: DMARC provides robust protection, but may be overkill for small businesses. Focus on SPF and DKIM initially.
  • IP Reputation is Key: IP reputation significantly impacts deliverability. Monitor and address any issues promptly.
  • Cost-Effective Alternatives: Sendinblue, Mailjet, Amazon SES, SendGrid, Mailgun, and Postmark provide affordable or free plans for transactional emails.
  • Free Gmail Option: Gmail SMTP server can be used for free, but has limitations on sending volume and deliverability.

Key considerations

  • SPF and DKIM Configuration: Ensure SPF and DKIM records are correctly set up before considering DMARC implementation.
  • Monitoring Needs: Assess specific security and deliverability needs before implementing DMARC.
  • Alternative Selection: Evaluate sending volume, features, and deliverability when choosing an alternative email service.
  • Technical Expertise: Setting up a custom SMTP server requires more technical knowledge and ongoing maintenance.
Marketer view

Marketer from Email Geeks recommends Postmark, PostageApp, and Amazon SES as reasonable cost-wise and good quality alternatives for sending emails.

October 2023 - Email Geeks
Marketer view

Email marketer from Neil Patel's Blog explains that while DMARC offers robust protection, it might be overkill for very small businesses with limited email volume, especially if they're just sending transactional emails. Focus on SPF and DKIM first.

June 2022 - Neil Patel's Blog
Marketer view

Email marketer from Litmus shares that DMARC implementation is important for protecting your domain's reputation and improving deliverability, but it requires careful planning and monitoring. Assess your specific needs before implementing.

July 2021 - Litmus
Marketer view

Email marketer from Reddit shares that ensuring proper SPF and DKIM records are set up correctly is crucial before even considering DMARC. Also they mentioned to check your IP reputation with online tools.

August 2023 - Reddit
Marketer view

Email marketer from Mailjet explains that Mailjet provides a free plan with a daily sending limit, which can be a good starting point for small websites. They also offer affordable paid plans as your needs grow.

February 2025 - Mailjet
Marketer view

Email marketer from Email on Acid explains that monitoring your IP address reputation is crucial for deliverability. Blacklists can severely impact your ability to send transactional emails, so proactive monitoring is necessary.

March 2022 - Email on Acid
Marketer view

Email marketer from StackOverflow shares that there are alternative cheaper SMTP Relay services available which have free sending limits that can be investigated.

March 2023 - StackOverflow
Marketer view

Email marketer from Gmass explains that using Gmail's SMTP server is a free alternative for sending transactional emails from a small website, but it comes with limitations in terms of sending volume and deliverability.

June 2023 - Gmass
Marketer view

Email marketer from DigitalOcean Community shares that while DigitalOcean is a VPS provider, you can set up your own SMTP server on their platform for a relatively low cost, offering full control over your email sending.

January 2025 - DigitalOcean Community
Marketer view

Email marketer from Sendinblue shares that Sendinblue offers a free plan for up to 300 emails per day, suitable for small businesses. It's a cost-effective alternative if your IP is blocked.

August 2021 - Sendinblue
Marketer view

Email marketer from Quora explains that services like SendGrid, Mailgun and Postmark offer better deliverability and detailed analytics tailored for transactional emails compared to general email providers.

July 2021 - Quora
Marketer view

Marketer from Email Geeks shares that the IP address being used is associated with OVH and the delivery issues are likely due to a general reputational issue with that IP, which is shared with many customers.

October 2024 - Email Geeks

What the experts say
5Expert opinions

For small websites sending transactional emails, DMARC might be unnecessary and potentially problematic. Prioritize configuring SPF and DKIM correctly, using aligned From: headers. If your IP is blocked, consider reputable third-party email sending services like SendGrid, Mailjet, and Mailgun for their established infrastructure and IP reputation. Alternatively, Gmail can be a reasonable free option. Avoid OVH's IP space due to its poor reputation.

Key opinions

  • DMARC Not Always Needed: DMARC isn't always necessary for small senders and might cause issues.
  • SPF/DKIM First: Prioritize correct SPF and DKIM configuration.
  • Reputable ESPs: Consider reputable ESPs like SendGrid, Mailjet, and Mailgun if IP is blocked.
  • Gmail as Free Option: Gmail can be a reasonable free option.
  • Avoid OVH: OVH's IP space has a poor reputation.

Key considerations

  • Cost vs. Complexity: Weigh the cost of third-party services against the complexity of managing your own infrastructure.
  • Deliverability Fundamentals: Focus on deliverability fundamentals like proper authentication before implementing complex solutions.
  • Infrastructure & Reputation: Leverage the established infrastructure and IP reputation of reputable email sending services.
  • Scalability: Consider the scalability of free options like Gmail as your email volume grows.
Expert view

Expert from Email Geeks suggests that Gmail would be a reasonable free option for sending outbound emails, unlikely to be blocked for this setup.

June 2023 - Email Geeks
Expert view

Expert from Email Geeks explains that for a small website sending a couple hundred transactional emails, DMARC is not needed and will likely break things. Recommends using DKIM and SPF aligned From: header instead.

October 2021 - Email Geeks
Expert view

Expert from Spam Resource explains that DMARC is useful, but can be complex. For small transactional senders, ensuring SPF and DKIM are correctly configured and monitored is often sufficient initially. Focusing on deliverability fundamentals might be a better use of resources.

January 2025 - Spam Resource
Expert view

Expert from Email Geeks describes OVH's IP space as a 'cesspit' due to their lack of infrastructure and interest in handling abuse issues.

May 2023 - Email Geeks
Expert view

Expert from Word to the Wise responds that after an IP block, small senders should consider using a reputable third-party email sending service to leverage their established infrastructure and IP reputation. Services such as SendGrid, Mailjet, and Mailgun can be cost-effective alternatives.

October 2022 - Word to the Wise

What the documentation says
4Technical articles

DMARC enhances email security by building upon SPF and DKIM, allowing domain owners to define how to handle authentication failures. AWS SES provides a cost-effective, pay-as-you-go solution for transactional emails. Monitoring your sending reputation is crucial; if blocked, switch to a dedicated IP or a reputable ESP. Gmail SMTP can be used, but adhering to sending limits is essential to avoid spam flagging.

Key findings

  • DMARC Enhances Security: DMARC improves email security by building on SPF/DKIM, preventing spoofing and phishing.
  • AWS SES Cost-Effective: AWS SES offers a pay-as-you-go service for transactional emails.
  • Monitor Reputation: Monitoring sending reputation is crucial to avoid IP blocks.
  • Gmail Limits: Gmail SMTP usage requires adhering to sending limits to avoid spam flagging.

Key considerations

  • DMARC Setup: Properly configure SPF and DKIM before implementing DMARC for effective email authentication.
  • SES Integration: Consider integration with other AWS services when using AWS SES.
  • IP Block Response: Have a plan for switching to a dedicated IP or ESP if your IP is blocked.
  • Gmail Compliance: Understand and adhere to Gmail's sending limits and best practices.
Technical article

Documentation from Google Workspace explains that using Gmail SMTP for transactional emails is possible, but it is important to adhere to Google’s sending limits to avoid being flagged as spam.

January 2025 - Google Workspace Admin Help
Technical article

Documentation from AWS SES explains that Amazon SES is a cost-effective email sending service suitable for transactional emails. It offers pay-as-you-go pricing and integrates well with other AWS services.

October 2021 - AWS Documentation
Technical article

Documentation from DMARC.org explains that DMARC builds upon SPF and DKIM to provide enhanced email security. It allows domain owners to specify how email receivers should handle messages that fail authentication checks, preventing spoofing and phishing.

September 2023 - DMARC.org
Technical article

Documentation from SparkPost explains that monitoring your sending reputation is crucial. If your IP gets blocked, they advise switching to a dedicated IP or using a reputable email service provider.

November 2024 - SparkPost