> For clean Markdown of any page, append .md to the page URL. > For a complete documentation index, see https://help.close.com/integrations/dedicated-email-servers/llms.txt. > For AI client integration (Claude Code, Cursor, etc.), connect to the MCP server at https://help.close.com/_mcp/server. # Dedicated Email Servers > Why bulk email from Close needs a dedicated email service like Mailgun or SendGrid: daily send limits, compliance requirements, and DNS setup. Close uses your existing email account's SMTP server to send mail. That works well for normal email volumes but hits a ceiling when you want to send bulk email — outbound cadences, sequences, or any mailing to large segments of your lead base. ## Why standard email accounts hit a wall Every email server has a daily send-rate limit. Gmail, Google Workspace, Microsoft 365, and other provider accounts cap how many messages you can send per day to prevent abuse. Once you hit that ceiling, your mail server stops sending — not just from Close, but from every app connected to that account. For typical limits, see [Email sending limits](/technical-support/email-deliverability/email-sending-limits). ### Limits Although Mailgun, SendGrid, and others are better suited for bulk email sending than Gmail, it doesn't mean they offer unlimited email sending. They also have limits in place to prevent spam/abuse. Read more on [Mailgun's probation period](https://help.mailgun.com/hc/en-us/articles/115001124753-Account-Sending-Limitation). When registering with any such service, please make sure you know your hourly/daily sending limits to avoid being disconnected from Close. Mailgun, SendGrid, and other 3rd party email services are usually used for sending out [Workflows](/v1/docs/workflows) and [Bulk emails](/v1/docs/emailing#bulk-emailing). ### What a dedicated email service gives you A dedicated email service (sometimes called an ESP or email service provider) lets you send at volumes well above what a personal mailbox or business email account allows. You connect it to Close via SMTP, and Close uses the dedicated service for outbound delivery while your existing inbox continues handling replies. Two providers have detailed setup guides in this catalog: * [Mailgun setup](/integrations/dedicated-email-servers/mailgun) * [SendGrid setup](/integrations/dedicated-email-servers/sendgrid) Close supports any SMTP-compatible bulk email service. If you're using a different provider, the connection works the same way - configure their SMTP credentials in Close's [Custom Email setup](/getting-started/connect-your-email) rather than following a provider-specific walkthrough. ### Service limits still apply Mailgun, SendGrid, and other dedicated services have their own sending limits to prevent spam and abuse. Limits vary by plan; check your provider's documentation before scaling sending volume. New accounts typically have a warm-up or probation period during which limits are stricter. ## Compliance requirements Sending bulk email through any service — Close, Mailgun, SendGrid, or another — means meeting the deliverability requirements that major mailbox providers enforce. See [Requirements for bulk email senders](/technical-support/email-deliverability/requirements-for-bulk-email-senders) for the full list: SPF, DKIM, DMARC, TLS, PTR records, one-click unsubscribe, and spam-rate thresholds. Using a dedicated email service doesn't exempt you from these requirements. For general deliverability practices including sender warm-up and reputation monitoring, see [Email deliverability](/technical-support/email-deliverability). ### Modifying DNS records Setting up a dedicated email service requires changes to your domain's DNS records. Incorrect DNS changes can prevent your organization from sending or receiving any email, take your website offline, or break other services that depend on DNS. Have your IT provider or whoever manages your domain make these changes if you're not familiar with DNS administration. ### Domain host credentials You'll need administrative access to your domain host (the company you registered your domain with) to make DNS changes. Common domain hosts include GoDaddy, Namecheap, Network Solutions, Rackspace, Digital Ocean, and Cloudflare. If you're not sure who hosts your domain, look up your domain on [ICANN Lookup](https://lookup.icann.org/) and check the registrar field. ## Provider setup Follow the walkthrough for your chosen provider: * [Mailgun setup](/integrations/dedicated-email-servers/mailgun) * [SendGrid setup](/integrations/dedicated-email-servers/sendgrid) For any other SMTP-compatible service, use the provider's SMTP credentials in Close's [Custom Email setup](/getting-started/connect-your-email). > Why bulk email from Close needs a dedicated email service like Mailgun or SendGrid: daily send limits, compliance requirements, and DNS setup. ## Docs - [Mailgun](https://help.close.com/integrations/dedicated-email-servers/mailgun.md): Set up Mailgun for bulk email from Close. Create your account, add your sending domain, add the DNS records, and connect Mailgun's SMTP server. - [SendGrid](https://help.close.com/integrations/dedicated-email-servers/sendgrid.md): Set up SendGrid for bulk email from Close. Authenticate your domain with SPF and DKIM, connect SendGrid's SMTP server, and add unsubscribe links.