Email Service Provider
An Email Service Provider (ESP) is a third-party platform that enables businesses and developers to send, manage, and analyze email communications at scale, such as marketing campaigns, transactional emails, and newsletters. It handles technical complexities like email deliverability, list management, and compliance with regulations (e.g., GDPR, CAN-SPAM). ESPs often include features like automation, A/B testing, and analytics to optimize email performance.
Developers should learn and use ESPs when building applications that require reliable email delivery, such as e-commerce sites (order confirmations), SaaS platforms (user notifications), or marketing tools (newsletters). They are essential for ensuring emails reach inboxes, avoiding spam filters, and managing large subscriber lists efficiently, which is critical for user engagement and compliance in production environments.