Overview
For educational institutes, email is a crucial communication channel for sharing admissions updates, event invitations, academic notifications, and student alerts. However, ensuring high email deliverability—where messages reliably reach inboxes rather than spam folders—can be a challenge.
One of the key factors affecting deliverability is whether an institute uses a Shared IP or a Dedicated IP for sending emails. While shared IPs may seem cost-effective, they carry significant risks, including blacklisting, email throttling, and inconsistent delivery rates.
Opting for a Dedicated IP provides greater control, security, and reputation management, ensuring seamless email communication for educational institutions.
Plan & Permissions
Plan Availability: Dedicated IPs are available as an add-on. Contact your Meritto representative to check its availability for your institution.
Cost: Dedicated IPs come at an additional monthly cost, subject to change based on Meritto’s email delivery partner’s pricing.
User Permissions: Admins can configure email settings and manage sending domains within Meritto.
Feature Utilization for Problem-Solving
Enhanced Email Deliverability for Educational Institutes
Problem: Emails sent from shared IPs are at risk of landing in spam folders due to the activities of other senders.
Solution: A Dedicated IP ensures that an institute’s email reputation is entirely within its control, reducing the risk of deliverability issues.
Educational institutes rely on emails for:
Application reminders – Ensuring prospective students receive critical deadlines.
Event invitations – Reaching out to students, parents, and alumni without delays.
Financial aid and course updates – Preventing essential notifications from being missed.
With a Dedicated IP, emails avoid the negative impact of other senders' bad practices, leading to a higher inbox placement rate.
Avoiding the Risks of Shared IPs
Problem: Shared IPs expose institutions to spam complaints, blacklisting, and unpredictable email performance.
Solution: A Dedicated IP eliminates external risks, ensuring consistent and reliable email delivery.
Risks of shared IPs include:
Spam complaints – Other senders on a shared IP can trigger spam filters, affecting your emails.
Blacklisting – If another sender engages in unethical email practices, the entire IP can be blacklisted.
Inconsistent delivery – If a sender on a shared IP spikes their email volume, your emails may be delayed or throttled.
A Dedicated IP isolates your institute from these risks, allowing for a more stable email-sending environment.
Better Control Over Email Practices
Problem: Shared IPs limit an institution’s ability to scale and control its email campaigns.
Solution: A Dedicated IP allows institutions to manage their own sending reputation, sending volume, and email frequency.
With a Dedicated IP, institutions can:
Gradually scale email campaigns (admissions, graduation updates, etc.).
Ensure optimal sending patterns for better engagement.
Avoid restrictions on sending volume imposed by shared IP environments.
Reduced Risk of Blacklisting and Spam Filters
Problem: Shared IPs expose institutes to blacklisting if another sender violates email policies.
Solution: A Dedicated IP ensures that email reputation is entirely in the institution’s control, minimizing the risk of spam filtering.
To maintain a healthy sender reputation, institutes should:
Use double opt-ins to verify recipients.
Maintain a clean email list and remove inactive subscribers.
Avoid spam-triggering content and follow best email practices.
Over time, these practices strengthen IP reputation, leading to better inbox placement rates.
Email Throttling and Deliverability Control
Problem: Shared IPs are subject to email throttling—where email providers limit sending rates due to high-volume activity from other users.
Solution: A Dedicated IP ensures better control over sending volume and timing, reducing delays.
Institutes often send large email batches during:
Admissions season – Application and acceptance emails.
Graduation updates – Invitations and ceremony details.
Event promotions – Webinars, orientations, and academic fairs.
A Dedicated IP ensures critical emails are delivered on time, preventing delays caused by shared IP users.
Improved Brand Trust and Engagement
Problem: Emails sent from shared IPs may be flagged as spam, reducing engagement and trust.
Solution: A Dedicated IP builds a consistent sending reputation, ensuring emails are recognized as legitimate.
Institutes benefit from:
Higher open rates – Emails land in inboxes instead of spam folders.
Better engagement – Prospective students, parents, and alumni trust emails from a verified sender.
Stronger institutional branding – Emails consistently reaching inboxes enhance credibility.
Recommended Configurations
To maximize the benefits of a Dedicated IP, institutes should:
Warm up the IP gradually by increasing email volume over time.
Authenticate emails using SPF, DKIM, and DMARC protocols.
Monitor email metrics to track deliverability performance.
Follow email best practices (e.g., avoiding spam words, segmenting audiences).
Expected Outcomes & Benefits
By switching to a Dedicated IP, educational institutes can expect:
Higher email deliverability – Emails reach inboxes instead of spam folders.
Full reputation control – No risk from other senders’ poor practices.
Faster and consistent email delivery – No throttling or delays.
Stronger brand trust – Students, parents, and faculty recognize and trust the sender.
Improved engagement rates – More email opens, clicks, and conversions.
Case Study: How a University Improved Its Email Deliverability
A top-tier university faced low email open rates and frequent spam filtering issues while using a shared IP. Key challenges included:
Admissions emails being flagged as spam.
Delayed event reminders due to email throttling.
Blacklisting issues caused by other senders on the shared IP.
By switching to a Dedicated IP, the university saw:
- 30% increase in email open rates.
- 95% inbox placement rate for admissions and student notifications.
- Zero delays in critical email communications.
Within three months, the university achieved consistent and reliable email deliverability, ensuring all key communications reached the intended audience.
Conclusion
For educational institutes, email is a vital communication channel, and ensuring reliable delivery is crucial. While shared IPs may seem cost-effective, they pose risks such as blacklisting, email throttling, and inconsistent deliverability.
A Dedicated IP provides full control over an institute’s email reputation, ensuring optimal inbox placement, faster delivery, and improved engagement rates. By investing in a Dedicated IP, institutions can enhance communication efficiency, protect their brand reputation, and ensure that important emails reach students, parents, and faculty on time.