How to setup Sendy with AWS SES to send 10,000 emails for $1

It’s been a while since I’ve written a tutorial, but it is good to be back and Sendy with AWS for sending emails is great welcome article.

Today, I will be walking you through the steps for setting up and installing sendy with AWS for your email marketing campaigns so you can start sending 10,000 emails for as low as $1.

Here is a breakdown of what i will be guiding you to do today.

Creating and setting up your database ready for sendy installation.
Sendy configuration
Uploading sendy
Setting file permissions
Installing sendy
Setting up cronjobs.
Connecting AWS SES with Sendy for sending.

Setting up Sendy with AWS

Installing Sendy is a pretty simple process. Purchase the app, Upload the files to your hosting, create a database, set a few settings and the rest are a matter of configuring your Amazon Web Services console. The instructions are described in the following easy to follow steps.

If you require installation service, we do provide it for only $57. Simply schedule a consultation session here with me —–>>>> Book A CALL

Pre-installation requirement

Step 1: MYSQL Database setup

In the New Database field, type a name for your database, then click Create Database.

Click the Jump to MySQL Users link at the top-right corner of the page or down below your create Database dialog box…

Under Add New User, enter a username. and password. Under Add User to Database, select a user from the User dropdown menu.

From the Database dropdown menu, select the database you wish to allow the user access to.

Step 2. config.php

Go to sendy website to purchase your copy of the self-hosted application here —->>>> www.sendy.co

Download Sendy using the download link in your license email, then unzip it.

In the /includes/ folder, open the file config.php file in any text or code editor

In the file you’ve just opened, set the APP_PATH (the URL where your Sendy will be accessed from) and enter the database credentials you created earlier your MySQL credentials.

Tip: If you’ve never created a MySQL database & user before, follow the easy steps above for the step by step guide on doing so in cPanel. If your host does not use cPanel, refer to your host’s documentation on creating a MySQL database & user.

Step 3: Upload Sendy

Upload Sendy to your server.

Beginner Tip: You can use an FTP app like Cyberduck or the File Manager in your hosting control panel to upload Sendy.

I like to use file manager because it is easy and fast. You simply have to zip compress the folder you have just unzip (Ensure the Database credentials and installation PATH you updated earlier is saved and in this zipped folder).

After you have uploaded to the right folder on your hosting account, then uncompress or extract using your file manager features. Easy peasy lemon squeezy

Step 4. Set file permissions of uploads folder

Image, attachment and CSV uploads requires the folder’s permission to be set to 777.

Step 5. Install Sendy

Visit your Sendy installation. For example, if you uploaded Sendy to http://yourdomain.com/sendy, visit this link to install.

Note: If your installation page fails to load, visit http://your_sendy_installation_url/_compatibility.php?i=1 to see which extensions are not installed on your server and request your host to install it.

Your License key is included in the email sent to you after you made your purchase.

You’ll be asked to specify your Email and Password. These will be your login credentials for Sendy.

You can fill in your AWS Access Key ID and AWS Secret Access Key later. If you have not signed up for Amazon Web Services yet.

(I strongly recommend you get my E-book on how to setup AWS SES account the right way. A common problem most people have is getting stucked in Amazon Sandbox.

This book covers everything you need including script for answering Amazon SES use case questions correctly to ensure amazon approves your email sending.)

You can get it here AWS E-Book

Here is a FREE tip from my E-book. It is best you buy your domain from a provider in Europe or America it will add to improving your score for Amazon AWS to approve your sending limit.

Click the Install now button to proceed and complete your sendy installation.

Step 6: Setting up cronjobs.

(Note: Not having Cron job setup will not affect your email sending. You only need it for advanced email sending features)

Scroll down to the Add New Cron Job section.

Enter the command you want to run in the Command field and click Add New Cron Job.

PS: Cron job setup instructions appears in Sendy where appropriate:

When you are at the ‘Define recipients’ page and you will see the cron job setup instructions note in a blue box at the bottom
Inside any lists, click on the ‘Autoresponders’ button at the top right and you’ll be shown the cron job setup instructions
When you’re at the import CSV page, you’ll see the cron job setup instructions in a blue box
Inside any segments, you’ll see the cron job setup instructions in a blue box at the bottom

Step 7: Connecting AWS SES with Sendy for sending.

Make sure Your AWS Region is set correctly:

2) Select IAM from the Services menu:

3) Select Users from the left-hand menu:

4) Click Add user:

5) Complete the user details as follows:

User name: set to sendy
Access type: set to Programmatic access

Then click Next: Permissions.

6) Add the first permission as follows:

Select Attach existing policies directly.

Within the Filter box, type snsf

A Policy called AmazonSNSFullAccess should appear. Tick the box on the left.

7) Add the second permission as follows:

Within the Filter box, type sesf

A Policy called AmazonSESFullAccess should appear. Tick the box on the left.

8) Click Next: Review:

9) The Review should show the SES and SNS managed policies within the Permissions summary:

Click Create user.

10) Your access keys should now be created:

Click Show to show your Secret access key.

11) Switch back to Sendy, and click the top-right menu:

12) Select Settings:

13) Copy and paste your AWS Access Key ID and AWS Secret Access Key from step 10 above into the appropriate fields:

Ensure Your Amazon SES region is set to Your AWS Region.

14) Click Save at the bottom of the page:

If you have successfully completed this steps, then you should have your Sendy application fully setup.

However you are Most likely still in Amazon SES Sandbox where you can only send emails to yourself.

Get my E-book here on how to get out of Amazon SES sandbox AWS E-Book