Video Summary
In this tutorial, I walk you step-by-step through setting up Amazon Simple Email Service (SES) with SureContact so you can send email at a low cost using Amazon’s SMTP infrastructure.
The process starts by creating your AWS account and navigating to Amazon SES. Once inside, the first major step is creating a domain-based sending identity (not just a single email address). This allows you to send from any email at your domain.
Next, you’ll configure your custom MAIL FROM domain, which enables proper authenticated sending. Amazon provides several DNS records that must be added at your DNS provider (Cloudflare, GoDaddy, etc.), including:
- DKIM CNAME records
- SPF TXT record
- MX record
- DMARC TXT record
These records authenticate your domain and establish sender reputation. Until they propagate and verify, your identity remains in “pending” status.
Once verified, you’ll generate SMTP credentials inside SES and connect them inside SureContact’s SMTP configuration settings. This includes:
- SMTP host
- Port (typically 587)
- Encryption (TLS)
- SMTP username & password (shown only once — save them)
After configuration, your SMTP connection should show as active in SureContact.
However, your SES account will initially be placed in sandbox mode, which limits you to sending emails only to verified addresses. To send production email, you must request removal from sandbox.
Amazon now evaluates requests carefully. You must:
- Select “Marketing” as your mail type
- Provide a legitimate website URL
- Have a privacy policy and terms page
- Operate as a real, registered business
Amazon may ask additional questions about complaint mitigation and list management. If you are approved, you receive production access and higher sending limits. If denied, appeals are limited, and you may need to use alternatives like SMTP2Go or Mailgun.
Once approved, Amazon SES becomes a powerful, cost-effective sending engine for SureContact.
Key Takeaways
🔹 Step 1: Create Domain Identity (Not Email Identity)
- Use your domain as the sending identity.
- Enable Custom MAIL FROM domain for authentication.
🔹 Step 2: Add Required DNS Records
You must configure:
- DKIM (CNAME records)
- SPF (TXT record)
- MX record
- DMARC (TXT record)
If records remain “pending” longer than 24 hours, double-check formatting.
🔹 Step 3: Generate SMTP Credentials
- Go to SMTP Settings → Create SMTP Credentials
- Copy username and password (shown once only)
- Save in a password manager
🔹 Step 4: Configure SureContact SMTP
Inside SureContact:
- SMTP Host (from SES region)
- Port: 587
- Encryption: TLS
- Enter SMTP username/password
🔹 Sandbox Mode
- Initial sending limit: 200 emails per 24 hours (verified addresses only)
- Must request production access
🔹 Getting Approved for Production
- Choose Marketing, not Transactional
- Have a legitimate website
- Include Privacy Policy + Terms
- Be a registered business (EIN if US-based)
- Expect follow-up questions
🔹 Industries at Higher Risk
Amazon may reject accounts in:
- Crypto / Bitcoin
- Financial advice / investing
- MLM industries
- Alternative medicine
- Anything related to your money or your health
🔹 If Denied
Alternatives include:
- Mailgun
- SMTP2Go
- Other SMTP providers
🔹 Why Use Amazon SES?
- Extremely low cost per email
- Scalable sending
- Reliable infrastructure
- Ideal for SureContact users wanting affordable SMTP