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Finding Host Which Allows Mass Email

Having trouble with phpmail() function

         

PerfectReign

9:43 pm on Mar 12, 2006 (gmt 0)

10+ Year Member



I run several niche community forums. One has well over 2,000 subscribers. Having outgrown my last host and needing to move on, I purchased a reselling host package late last year. It has suited me nicely until recently.

About a month ago, some moron script kiddie exploited that fact that I hadn't kept up on security updates for one of my sites, which runs PHPbb. (Most of my others run Xoops.)

After recovering the data from backup and reposting the site, I wanted to send a mass-email out to all 2000+ subscribers. Turns out this is not allowed on my new host. Also, all other hosts I've checked into seem to not allow mass e-mails either.

This is a pathetic mess. I used to do monthly newsletters and now am denied. Short of getting myself into a dedicated server or tying up my DSL connection, does any one have recommendations on what to search for in hosting? I realize this forums seems to discourage actual links to hosting competetors, but I'd appreciate any insight. Maybe a PM?

willybfriendly

11:14 pm on Mar 12, 2006 (gmt 0)

WebmasterWorld Senior Member 10+ Year Member



I reguarly send out emails to groups ranging from 50 to over 4000, from two or three different hosts, running in simple shared environments and VPS. I have never had a problem. You might need to throttle back how many are sent in any given period due to processing requirements, depending on the host.

Perhaps a case of don't ask, don't tell?

WBF

PerfectReign

5:06 am on Mar 13, 2006 (gmt 0)

10+ Year Member



Thank you.

I actually have that option with my current host - they permit up to 250 mails at one time.

However, I'm way too lazy to setup the groups needed. I actually could seutp some PHP thing where it simply queries the groups and sends out emails 249 at a time.

I did find one host today willing to let me send out mass-emails. I'll look into the cost of this in terms of time vs. the continuing headache. :)

willybfriendly

5:09 am on Mar 13, 2006 (gmt 0)

WebmasterWorld Senior Member 10+ Year Member



Simply install any of a number of available mass mailing scripts (preferably a relatively secure one) and use it. You can find one that will automatically throttle the number of mails sent per given time period.

WBF