New error message - emailing stops

[Kino]

I'm experimenting with a new web host. While it seems much improved over my other host, even with the latest version installed (1.85) I'm getting emails stalling. Here's the message (email address omitted), which I've had at least 3 of already.

Sending error. Check your mail settings.

Server said:
RCPT TO: <[email here]>
250 ok
354 go ahead
451 connection to mail server rejected (#4.4.1)

I've had many of these so far and one was for a shaw.ca email address, and another a yahoo.com address that I know is active.

Am I just unlucky and found a host that is blacklisted? Dean, why is this happening? I really need dependable hosting for email delivery, so any worthwhile suggestions appreciated.

K

[Kino]

A follow-up to this message.

After doing some reading about mailing lists, and noting the fact that my message was being sent out very fast (over 11,000/hr according to the feedback from my mail out), I wonder if I should have throttled the speed of the mail out. Is it possible using to throttle the speed of an LM Pro message using SMTP?

Thanks.

K

[DW]

A properly optimized single server should be able to handle delivery of over 500,000 messages per day.  Of course, your host could have limits, and this is what I suspect is happening here.  Please ask your host if they have any limits on email be it hourly, daily, or on a per-connection basis.

At this time there is not a way to throttle SMTP sending, although I did see a mod here in the development forum.  I plan to add this feature soon but for now it is recommended to run ListMail on a host with no limits on email.

Regards, DW

[Kino]

Thanks, Dean.

To you and anyone else, I'm looking into the matter of hosting. I've been doing a lot of reading, but I'm concerned that the temptation of referral fees is clouding the facts.

Dreamhost seems like a good company. However, I'm concerned about their growth, which is phenomenal, and their lack of phone or IM support. 24 hour response times on email tickets is pretty long if your client is running a sale or promotion and losing money. I need a reliable host for LM, and I wonder if I should take the leap. I'll give you the referral, Dean, if you're confident it will work out (presumably your Dreamhost link gives you the referral).

K

[DW]

DreamHost has been known to discontinue larger email lists.. In fact, I don't recommend running lists over 5000 there anymore.  If you do sign up as my referral I'd be willing to help you out with migration / installation of your site and ListMailPRO data.

Unmanaged (it's pretty easy...) dedicated servers can be obtained for around $70/mo for larger lists.

Shared hosting is hit-and-miss and I unfortunately do not have a list of hosts that support ListMailPRO will mailing lists of various sizes.  I can, however, provide hosting on one of my own dedicated servers starting at $15/mo, if you're interested.  The service is invite-only and I do not allow the importing of purchased or otherwise 'obtained' email lists.  Your lists must be strictly 100% opt-in from your web site.  I have space on a server with just 2 other small clients on the server.

I hope to expand my hosting services in the future when I get a better handle on reporting and reacting quickly to temporarily blocking.  We have come a long way, and are able to trace blocking reports in the logs and maintain consistent delivery to nearly all ISPs, but the system is still not useful enough for a very large number of servers and clients to be managed. When the bugs are worked out and things are automated more I may be expanding and offering my hosting services directly to the public.

Regards

[DW]

In the last day or two we have learned that DreamHost has recently restricted their service to just 200 emails per hour.  We are no longer recommending them.  If you've already signed up with DreamHost and end up getting in trouble please email me at dean@listmailpro.com if you're interested in optimized-for-email web hosting on one of my dedicated servers.

Regards, DW