Summary
All sources, including marketers, experts, and email service provider documentation, agree that a dedicated IP address is not suitable for a small email database of 2k contacts sending 500 emails per week. The overwhelmingly consistent reasoning is that the sending volume is too low to establish and maintain a positive sender reputation, making the effort and cost of a dedicated IP unjustified. Shared IPs are consistently recommended as the better alternative, allowing users to benefit from the collective reputation managed by the ESP and other senders. Low sending volumes also make warming up a dedicated IP address effectively impossible. Inconsistent sendings with low volume is also difficult to manage your IP reputation.
Key findings
- Insufficient Sending Volume: 500 emails per week to 2k contacts is too low to maintain a dedicated IP reputation.
- Difficult IP Warmup: Low volume makes it difficult to warm up a dedicated IP properly.
- Shared IPs are Preferred: Shared IP addresses are the recommended approach due to their better collective reputation management.
- Dedicated IP Costs Outweigh Benefits: The costs associated with a dedicated IP outweigh any potential benefits for small sending volumes.
- Reputation Management is Key: A good sending reputation is crucial for deliverability, and low sending volumes cannot support this.
- Minimum Sending Volume Exists: Many sources suggest sending at least 50,000 emails per month for a dedicated IP to be effective.
Key considerations
- Sender Reputation Importance: Maintaining a positive sender reputation is crucial for good deliverability rates.
- IP Warmup Process: Understand and plan for a proper IP warmup strategy if a dedicated IP is considered.
- Alternative Solution Evaluation: Carefully evaluate the advantages of shared IPs, especially for smaller sending volumes.
- Volume Consistency: Ensure consistent sending patterns to support and maintain IP reputation.
- ESP Guidelines: Consider any specific guidelines or requirements set by the ESP for dedicated IP addresses.
What email marketers say
9 marketer opinions
The consensus is that a dedicated IP address is generally not suitable for a small email database of 2k contacts sending 500 emails per week. The low volume makes it difficult to establish and maintain a positive sender reputation, which is crucial for email deliverability. Shared IP addresses are recommended as a better alternative, as they allow senders to benefit from the collective reputation managed by the email service provider.
Key opinions
- Low Volume Inadequate: Sending 500 emails per week to 2k contacts is not sufficient to build or maintain a dedicated IP's reputation.
- Shared IP Better: Shared IP addresses are recommended for low-volume senders as they benefit from the collective reputation of multiple senders.
- Warm-up Issues: It is difficult to properly warm up a dedicated IP address with such a small sending volume.
- No Benefit: The rewards of a dedicated IP address are not worth the effort for small companies with low sending volume.
- ESP Management: With Shared IPs the ESP manages the reputation of the IPs.
- 50k Minimum: You should make sure you are sending at least 50,000 emails a month, to allow a warm up period
Key considerations
- Sender Reputation: Maintaining a good sender reputation is critical for email deliverability, and low volume can negatively impact this.
- IP Warm-up: Dedicated IPs require a warm-up period, gradually increasing sending volume to establish trust with ISPs.
- Volume Thresholds: Consider the minimum sending volume required by ESPs for dedicated IPs (often around 50,000 emails per month).
- Consistency: Inconsistent sending patterns can also harm IP reputation, making a dedicated IP less effective.
- Shared IP Benefits: Evaluate the benefits of shared IPs, such as leveraging the established reputation of the ESP and other senders.
Marketer view
Email marketer from SuperOffice answers question about dedicated IP address explains that if your sending is inconsistent it can be difficult to manage your IP reputation. It is best to choose a shared IP address.
8 Nov 2024 - SuperOffice
Marketer view
Marketer from Email Geeks shares it is not enough volume to sustain the reputation for the dedicated IP and shared would be the best route here with that size.
22 May 2025 - Email Geeks
What the experts say
2 expert opinions
Experts agree that a dedicated IP address is not suitable for a small email database of 2k contacts sending only 500 emails per week. This low volume fails to justify the costs and effort required to warm up and maintain a positive IP reputation. They recommend a shared IP pool as a more appropriate solution.
Key opinions
- Insufficient Volume: Sending 500 emails a week to 2k contacts is too low to justify a dedicated IP address.
- Cost Outweighs Benefits: The cost of maintaining a dedicated IP address exceeds the benefits for such low volume.
- Shared IP Recommended: A shared IP pool is a more suitable solution.
- Warm-up Requirement: Dedicated IPs require a warm-up period which is difficult with low volume.
Key considerations
- Consistent Sending: Dedicated IPs require consistent sending habits to build a good reputation.
- Reputation Management: Consider the effort involved in managing and maintaining a positive IP reputation.
- Alternative Options: Explore the benefits and suitability of shared IP pools for low-volume senders.
Expert view
Expert from Word to the Wise shares that dedicated IPs require a warm-up period and consistent sending to build a positive reputation. Sending only 500 emails a week to 2k contacts is too low to justify a dedicated IP and would be better suited to a shared IP pool.
7 Mar 2024 - Word to the Wise
Expert view
Expert from Spam Resource explains that a dedicated IP requires consistent volume to build and maintain reputation, and for very low volumes like 500 emails per week to 2k contacts, the costs of maintaining a dedicated IP outweigh any potential benefits. Shared IPs are usually the better choice in this case.
19 Oct 2024 - Spam Resource
What the documentation says
4 technical articles
Email service provider documentation consistently indicates that a dedicated IP address is not suitable for a small email database of 2k contacts sending only 500 emails per week. They emphasize the necessity of consistent sending habits and sufficient volume to warm up and maintain a positive IP reputation. Low volume and inconsistent sending can negatively impact deliverability, making a dedicated IP address ineffective and potentially harmful.
Key findings
- IP Warmup Crucial: Consistent sending volume is necessary to build a positive IP reputation with ISPs.
- Low Volume Insufficient: A small list and low sending volume may not provide sufficient volume for effective IP warmup.
- Consistency Required: Dedicated IPs require consistent sending habits to maintain a good reputation.
- Negative Impact on Deliverability: Inconsistent sending or low volume can negatively impact deliverability.
- Sudden Volume Increase Harmful: A sudden increase in volume with a dedicated IP can damage your IP reputation.
Key considerations
- Sending Volume: Carefully consider the required sending volume to maintain a positive IP reputation.
- Warmup Process: Understand the importance of slowly increasing sending volume over time for IP warmup.
- Consistency: Ensure consistent sending habits to avoid negatively impacting deliverability.
- Alternative Solutions: Consider shared IP addresses for low-volume sending to leverage established reputation.
Technical article
Documentation from SparkPost shares that low volume senders will not be able to maintain their IP reputation by sending a small amount of email volume. Therefore a dedicated IP address is not recommended.
25 Oct 2021 - SparkPost
Technical article
Documentation from SendGrid Documentation emphasizes the importance of IP warmup for dedicated IPs, stating that consistent sending volume is necessary to build a positive reputation with ISPs. A very small list might not provide sufficient volume for effective warmup.
22 Mar 2023 - SendGrid Documentation
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