When was the last time you sent out an email campaign and wondered if it reached the inbox or got lost in spam? For many marketers, this uncertainty is all too familiar. Email deliverability—the art of ensuring your emails actually land where they’re meant to—is more challenging than it seems. 

However, if you’re relying on shared servers for your email campaigns, you might be sabotaging your efforts without realizing it. Shared servers come with shared IPs, and unfortunately, your email deliverability depends on how others using the same IP behave. If they send spam or engage in shady practices, your sender reputation takes a hit—even if your content is spotless.

Transitioning to dedicated IP address hosting resolves these issues.

This is where dedicated servers with dedicated IPs come in. By using a dedicated IP, you gain complete control over your sender reputation and drastically improve your email deliverability. 

In this guide, we’ll explore the connection between dedicated IPs and email deliverability, break down the differences between shared and dedicated IPs, and introduce you to SmartServers by Smartlead—the ultimate solution for email outreachers.

What Is a Dedicated IP address?

A dedicated IP address is an IP address reserved exclusively for your use, whether it’s for sending emails, hosting a website, or other online activities. Unlike shared IPs—which are used by multiple users simultaneously—a dedicated IP is yours alone, offering greater control and reliability.

In the context of email marketing, dedicated IP address hosting provides a reliable solution for businesses aiming to improve their deliverability. It ensures that the emails you send come from an IP address associated solely with your domain and sending habits. This isolation means that your email reputation isn’t affected by the actions of others, as it would be with a shared IP.

Key Benefits of a Dedicated IP Address

• Improved Sender Reputation: Since the IP is exclusive to you, your reputation depends solely on your email-sending practices. This is critical for ensuring emails land in the inbox.
• Better Deliverability: With a strong sender reputation and consistent sending patterns, emails from a dedicated IP are less likely to be flagged as spam.
• Full Control: You can set your sending schedule, monitor performance, and adjust as needed without being impacted by external factors.
• Scalability for High Volumes: Dedicated IPs are ideal for businesses with large email lists or frequent campaigns, ensuring reliable delivery at scale.

Warming Up a Dedicated IP

A dedicated IP requires a process called warming up. This involves gradually increasing the volume of emails sent to establish trust with Internet Service Providers (ISPs). Without this step, sudden spikes in email activity may trigger spam filters.

By investing in a dedicated IP address, you gain unparalleled control over your email deliverability, making it a must-have for serious email marketers who value consistency and performance.

The Link Between Dedicated IPs and Email Deliverability

Your sender reputation is one of the most significant factors affecting email deliverability. Email service providers (ESPs) use this reputation to decide whether your emails should land in the inbox, go to the spam folder, or be blocked altogether. With a shared IP, your reputation is tied to the behavior of all users sharing that IP. A single bad actor can ruin the reputation for everyone.

By using dedicated IP address hosting, you ensure that your sender reputation is entirely within your control. This means:

• Improved Deliverability: You’re not penalized for someone else’s mistakes.
• Better Control: You can manage your sending habits to align with best practices.
• Consistency: A dedicated IP ensures stable and predictable email performance.

Shared vs. Dedicated IPs: Key Differences

When it comes to choosing between shared and dedicated IPs for your email campaigns, understanding the trade-offs is essential. 

Here’s a deeper look at their key differences to help you make an informed decision.

Shared IPs:

• What They Are: Multiple users send emails from the same IP address, pooling resources and sharing reputation.
• Pros: Shared IPs are cost-effective and require minimal setup, making them suitable for beginners or businesses with low email volumes.
• Cons: High risk of deliverability issues if another user on the IP engages in spammy practices. You’re dependent on others to maintain a good sender reputation.
• Best For: Small-scale senders, startups, or those sending emails sporadically.

Dedicated IPs:

• What They Are: An IP address reserved exclusively for your use, giving you full control over email-sending practices.
• Pros: Complete control over sender reputation, ensuring stable and predictable performance. Ideal for businesses with consistent, high-volume email campaigns.
• Cons: Requires warming up the IP to build trust with email service providers, which can take time and expertise.
• Best For: Established businesses, large-scale senders, or marketers aiming for precise control over their campaigns.

With dedicated IP address hosting, you gain full autonomy over your sender reputation and campaign performance.

SmartServers by Smartlead: The Game Changer

Smartlead’s SmartServers take the guesswork out of email deliverability. Each dedicated server comes with a dedicated IP, ensuring maximum control and reliability for your campaigns. 

Here’s why SmartServers stand out:

• Enhanced Deliverability: With a dedicated IP, you’re in charge of your sender reputation, leading to better inbox placement rates.
• Scalability: SmartServers can handle high email volumes, making them perfect for growing businesses.
• Easy Integration: Adding a dedicated server to your campaign is quick and straightforward.

Apart from the above, you also get custom oAuth setup for Google/Microsoft accounts. The servers are AI-curated and blacklist-free commercial servers perfect for outbound. 

Assigning a Dedicated Server to an Existing Campaign

1. Navigate to Email Campaigns: Log in to your Smartlead account and click on the Email Campaigns tab in the left-hand menu.

2. Select the Desired Campaign: Locate the campaign you want to modify and click on it to access the campaign dashboard. In the dashboard, navigate to the SmartServers tab.

3. Assign a New Server: Click on Assign SmartServer to choose a dedicated server from the dropdown menu. 

Once selected, click Update to save the changes. 

If a server is already assigned, you can click Change SmartServer to update it. A list of available servers will be displayed, including details like usage and health status.

4. Save and Finalize: After assigning or editing the server, click Save to finalize your updates.

Optional - Enable Auto-Pause on High Bounce Rate: Turn on the auto-pause feature to protect your campaign from deliverability issues. Set a bounce rate threshold, and the system will automatically pause the campaign if the threshold is exceeded. Learn more here. 

1. Start Creating a Campaign: Go to the Email Campaigns section, click Create Campaign, and proceed through the setup steps.
2. Access Campaign Settings: During the setup process, navigate to the Campaign Settings section. Locate the option to assign a dedicated server.

3. Choose a Server: Select an available server from the dropdown menu, then complete the remaining setup steps and launch the campaign.

Key Notes

• A single dedicated server can be assigned to multiple campaigns, offering flexibility in resource utilization.
• Dedicated servers assigned to campaigns cannot be shared across different clients.

By assigning dedicated servers to your campaigns, you ensure consistent performance and better control over email deliverability.

So, Do You Need a Dedicated IP Address Hosting?

The decision to use a dedicated IP largely depends on your lead generation and outbound needs and goals. 

Here are a few key scenarios where investing in a dedicated IP is a smart move:

1. You Send High Volumes of Emails Regularly: Smartlead simplifies dedicated IP address hosting, offering an integrated platform for seamless campaign management.
2. You Value Full Control Over Deliverability: A dedicated IP gives you complete autonomy over your sender reputation. This means you won’t be penalized for the poor practices of others, as can happen with shared IPs.
3. You’re Focused on Building a Strong Sender Reputation: For businesses aiming to establish a reliable and trusted sender identity, a dedicated IP is essential. It allows you to create a reputation based solely on your sending behavior.
4. You Operate in a High-Stakes Industry: Industries like finance, healthcare, and e-commerce often deal with sensitive or time-critical communications. A dedicated IP ensures these emails reach their recipients reliably.
5. You Plan to Scale Your Email Campaigns: As your business grows, so will your email volume. A dedicated IP provides the scalability you need to maintain high deliverability rates.

However, it’s essential to remember that using a dedicated IP requires effort. You’ll need to warm up the IP by gradually increasing email volumes and adhering to best practices to build trust with Internet Service Providers (ISPs).

For small businesses or those sending emails sporadically, shared IPs may suffice. But for businesses serious about email marketing, a dedicated IP is an investment that pays off in higher engagement, better deliverability, and improved ROI.

If you’re ready to take control of your email campaigns, Smartlead’s SmartServers make it easy to integrate dedicated IPs into your strategy. Experience the benefits firsthand and elevate your email marketing game

Conclusion

Email deliverability can make or break your cold email outreach campaigns. By switching to dedicated servers with dedicated IPs, you gain full control over your sender reputation and significantly improve your chances of landing in the inbox. Smartlead’s SmartServers offer a seamless way to harness the power of dedicated IPs, ensuring your campaigns achieve the success they deserve.

Ready to take your email marketing to the next level? 

Sign up for Smartlead today and enjoy a 14-day free trial. Don’t let shared servers hold you back—experience the difference dedicated IPs can make!