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Step 4: Self-Host Your Email Platform (Notifuse)

Replace expensive email platforms like Mailchimp, ConvertKit, or ActiveCampaign with self-hosted Notifuse. Save 30-65% on costs while gaining unlimited subscribers and complete control.

Why Notifuse?​

What is Notifuse?

Notifuse is an open-source email platform. It's a self-hostable alternative to Mailchimp/ConvertKit for newsletters and transactional emails with a visual email builder.

Website: https://www.notifuse.com/

Key Features:

  • Visual email builder
  • Contact management
  • Newsletter campaigns
  • Transactional emails via API
  • Analytics and reporting
  • Self-hosted = unlimited subscribers

Cost Comparison: SaaS vs. Self-Hosted​

SaaS Email Alternatives:

Mailchimp:

  • Free: 500 contacts, 1,000 sends/month
  • Essentials: £11/month (500 contacts)
  • Standard: £17/month (500 contacts)
  • Premium: £299/month (10,000 contacts)
  • For 5,000 contacts: £50-100/month = £600-1,200/year

ConvertKit:

  • Free: Up to 1,000 subscribers
  • Creator: £29/month (1,000 subscribers)
  • Creator Pro: £59/month (1,000 subscribers)
  • For 5,000 subscribers: £100-200/month = £1,200-2,400/year

SendGrid:

  • Free: 100 emails/day
  • Essentials: £15/month (40,000 emails)
  • Pro: £89/month (100,000 emails)
  • For moderate usage: £15-89/month = £180-1,068/year

ActiveCampaign (Email + Automation):

  • Plus: £70/month (1,000 contacts)
  • Professional: £125/month (2,500 contacts)
  • For 5,000 contacts: £200+/month = £2,400+/year

Self-Hosted Notifuse:

  • Software: Free (open-source)
  • Server: £30-50/month (shared with other tools)
  • Email delivery: £10-30/month (SendGrid/Mailgun for deliverability)
  • Setup: 6-10 hours (one-time)
  • Maintenance: 1-2 hours/month
  • Year 1: £600 (server) + £240 (email delivery) + £800 (setup) = £1,640
  • Year 2+: £840/year (£70/month)
  • Unlimited subscribers: No per-subscriber costs

Savings Calculation:

  • vs. Mailchimp (5,000 contacts): Save £0-360/year (0-30% savings, but unlimited)
  • vs. ConvertKit (5,000 subscribers): Save £360-1,560/year (30-65% savings)
  • vs. SendGrid: Save £0-228/year (varies)
  • Key Advantage: No per-subscriber limits = unlimited scalability

Technical Requirements​

Server Specifications:

  • CPU: 2+ cores
  • RAM: 4GB+ (8GB recommended)
  • Storage: 50GB+ SSD (for email storage)
  • OS: Linux (Ubuntu 20.04+ recommended)

Software Requirements:

  • Docker and Docker Compose
  • PostgreSQL database
  • SMTP service (SendGrid, Mailgun, or self-hosted)
  • Domain name and SSL certificate
  • SPF, DKIM, DMARC records configured

Installation Guide​

Step 1: Server Setup

  1. Provision server
  2. Install Docker and Docker Compose
  3. Configure firewall

Step 2: Install Notifuse

  1. Clone Notifuse repository
  2. Configure environment variables
  3. Set up PostgreSQL database
  4. Configure SMTP service
  5. Run Docker Compose

Step 3: Email Deliverability Setup

  1. Configure SPF records
  2. Set up DKIM signing
  3. Configure DMARC policy
  4. Set up reverse DNS (if self-hosting SMTP)
  5. Test email delivery

Step 4: Initial Configuration

  1. Access Notifuse via domain
  2. Complete initial setup
  3. Import contacts (if migrating)
  4. Create first email template

Step 5: Data Migration (if applicable)

  1. Export contacts from old platform
  2. Import to Notifuse
  3. Verify email lists
  4. Test email sending

Email Deliverability Best Practices​

Critical Setup:

  • SPF records (authorize sending servers)
  • DKIM signing (email authentication)
  • DMARC policy (protect domain reputation)
  • Reverse DNS (PTR records)
  • Dedicated IP (for high volume)

Ongoing Maintenance:

  • Monitor bounce rates
  • Maintain sender reputation
  • Clean email lists regularly
  • Follow email best practices
  • Monitor blacklists

Integration with Other Tools​

Connect to:

  • CRM (Twenty, HubSpot)
  • Automation (n8n)
  • Forms (website forms)
  • E-commerce (transactional emails)
  • Analytics (track opens, clicks)

Maintenance & Updates​

Regular Tasks:

  • Weekly backups (contacts, campaigns)
  • Monthly security updates
  • Monitor email deliverability
  • Clean bounce/spam lists
  • Update email templates

Update Process:

  1. Pull latest Notifuse code
  2. Update Docker images
  3. Run database migrations
  4. Test email sending

Next Step: Once your email platform is set up, proceed to Step 5: Build & Self-Host Custom Tools.