Setup AWS SES Account
This guide explains how to integrate AWS Simple Email Service (SES) with BotPenguin to send transactional and notification emails reliably from your chatbot workflows.
What is AWS SES Integration?
AWS SES (Simple Email Service) is a scalable and secure email service provided by Amazon Web Services. By integrating AWS SES with BotPenguin, you can:
Send automated emails from chatbot flows
Deliver order confirmations, alerts, and notifications
Ensure high email deliverability and reliability
Use your own verified business email address
Prerequisites
Before starting, ensure the following:
An active AWS account
AWS SES enabled in your AWS account
Verified Sender Email Address or Domain in AWS SES
AWS IAM user with SES permissions
Access to AWS Access Key ID and Secret Access Key
⚠️ If your AWS SES account is in Sandbox mode, you must verify recipient email addresses or request production access.
Steps to Onboard on AWS
Step 1: Set up your AWS account
Navigate to the following link to create your AWS account
Step 2: Verify your domain and email
Domain Verification:
Log in to the AWS Management Console:
Go to the AWS Management Console.
Navigate to the Amazon SES console.
Verify a Domain:
In the SES console, navigate to the "Domains" section.
Click on the "Verify a New Domain" button.
Enter Domain Name:
Enter the domain name you want to verify.
Click on the "Verify This Domain" button.
Add DNS Records:
AWS SES will provide you with DNS records (TXT records) that you need to add to your domain's DNS settings.
Copy the provided records and add them to your DNS provider (e.g., Route 53, GoDaddy, etc.).
Wait for Verification:
It might take some time for DNS changes to propagate. Wait until the domain is verified in the SES console.
Email Address Verification:
Log in to the AWS Management Console:
Go to the AWS Management Console.
Navigate to the Amazon SES console.
Verify an Email Address:
In the SES console, navigate to the "Email Addresses" section.
Click on the "Verify a New Email Address" button.
Enter Email Address:
Enter the email address you want to verify.
Click on the "Verify This Email Address" button.
Confirmation Email:
AWS SES will send a verification email to the specified address.
Open the email and click on the verification link provided.
Wait for Verification:
After clicking the verification link, wait for the email address to be verified in the SES console.
Note:
Verification processes may vary slightly depending on updates to the AWS SES console.
Ensure that you have the necessary permissions to modify DNS records for domain verification.
Step 3: Set up SES Credentials
To create an IAM user with full access to AWS SES (Simple Email Service) but without console access, you can follow these general steps. Please note that you should have appropriate IAM permissions to perform these actions:
Create a New User
In the IAM console, click on "Users" in the left navigation pane.
Click on "Add user" to create a new user.
Enter a username for the new user.
Choose the type of access (programmatic access for AWS CLI, SDK, etc.).
Step 3: Attach Existing Policies
On the "Set permissions" page, select "Attach existing policies directly."
In the search box, type and select "AmazonSESFullAccess." This policy grants full access to SES.
You can also create a custom policy with the required SES permissions if needed.
Review and Create
Click through the remaining steps to review your choices.
On the last step, review the details and click "Create user."
Step 5: Download or Copy Access Credentials
After creating the user, you'll be prompted to download the access credentials (Access key ID and Secret access key).
Important: Ensure you securely store these credentials as they will be needed for programmatic access.
Step 4: Obtain the necessary Details
Get the access key and secret key
Click on the IAM user for which you want to create access keys.
Go to the "Security credentials" tab.
Under the "Access keys" section, click on "Create access key."
After creating the access key, you'll be prompted to download the credentials.
If you don't download them, you can copy the access key ID and secret access key manually.
Get AWS Region
The SES resources (email sending, etc.) are associated with a specific AWS region. Identify the AWS region where you want to use SES.
This information can be found in the AWS Management Console, typically at the top right corner.
Get From Email
From email is the same as the email that you have created in verified entities.
Step 5: Save the configuration
Once you have all the details, Save them on the BotPenguin agency panel. Done!
How to Integrate AWS SES in BotPenguin
Step 1: Open Email Integration Settings
Log in to your BotPenguin Dashboard
Navigate to Integrations
Select Email Integration
Click on Configure button
You will see the Add Email Integration Details screen.
Step 2: Fill in Email Configuration Details
Click on Add Configuration Button
Enter the following fields carefully:
1. Configuration Name
A friendly name for this email setup
Example:
Default,Production Email,Marketing Email
2. AWS Region
Enter the AWS region where SES is enabled
Example values:
us-east-1eu-west-1ap-south-1
The region must match the region where SES is configured.
3. AWS Access Key ID
Enter the IAM user’s Access Key ID
This key allows BotPenguin to authenticate with AWS SES
4. AWS Secret Access Key
Enter the corresponding Secret Access Key
Keep this confidential
5. From Email
The verified email address in AWS SES
Example:
[email protected]
Emails will be sent from this address.
6. Sender’s Name
The display name shown to recipients
Example:
BotPenguin Support,Your Brand Name
7. Reply-To Email (Optional)
Email address where replies should be received
If not provided, replies go to the From Email
Step 3: Save Configuration
Click Add Configuration
Your configuration will appear in the configuration list
Step 4: Test Email Configuration
Click Test Email
If the test email is delivered successfully, the integration is complete
Managing Email Configurations
View Configuration Details
Click the info (ℹ️) icon to see masked credentials and sender details
Enable / Disable Configuration
Use the Status toggle to activate or deactivate an email configuration
Edit Configuration
Click the Edit (✏️) icon to update details
Delete Configuration
Click the Delete (🗑️) icon to remove the configuration
Common Issues & Troubleshooting
Emails Not Delivered
Ensure SES is out of Sandbox mode
Verify sender email or domain in AWS SES
Check AWS Region matches SES region
Invalid AWS Credentials
Recheck Access Key ID and Secret Key
Ensure IAM user has SES permissions:
ses:SendEmailses:SendRawEmail
Test Email Fails
Confirm recipient email is verified (Sandbox accounts)
Check spam/junk folder
Verify From Email matches SES verified identity
Best Practices
Use a dedicated IAM user for SES
Rotate AWS keys periodically
Monitor SES sending limits and bounce rates
Use branded sender names for better trust
When to Use AWS SES with BotPenguin
AWS SES is ideal for:
Transactional emails
Order and payment notifications
Support and alert emails
System-generated chatbot emails
If you need help setting up AWS SES or face any issues during integration, contact BotPenguin Support with your configuration details and error message (if any).
Please feel free to reach out to us at [email protected], in case of any questions or concerns.
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