Email Configuration in WordPress: The Ultimate Guide

Sending emails through your website is a crucial component, and WordPress is no exception in this matter. However, if someone is new to WordPress, sending emails can be a perplexing task. Luckily, WordPress makes it a simple job to configure Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP) mail, which is essential for delivering email messages directly from your site. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll take you through a step-by-step process of setting up email on your WordPress site by configuring SMTP.

What is SMTP?

SMTP, or Simple Mail Transfer Protocol, is a significant component of the email delivery process. SMTP authenticates and approves email messages to guarantee that only the intended recipient can receive the email. SMTP is critical to all email service providers, including Yahoo, Gmail, and others.

Why is Setting Up SMTP Important in WordPress?

By default, WordPress uses PHP’s mail() function to send email notifications. However, this method isn’t always accurate and can result in emails being rejected, lost, or marked as spam. Setting up SMTP in WordPress offers reliable and trustworthy email delivery, which subsequently improves email deliverability. It also permits you to use a personalized email address for the notification emails sent from WordPress.

How to Set Up SMTP in WordPress?

Step 1: Select an SMTP Plugin for WordPress

Before you start the SMTP mail configuration, you need an SMTP plugin that supports SMTP providers. WP Mail SMTP, Post SMTP, and Easy WP SMTP plugins are a few examples of plugins that make it easy to configure SMTP in WordPress.

In this guide, we’ll use the WP Mail SMTP plugin to demonstrate how to set up SMTP in WordPress.

Step 2: Install and Activate WP Mail SMTP Plugin

To install and activate the WP Mail SMTP plugin, go to the WordPress dashboard, select the “Plugins” tab, and click the “Add New” button. Enter “WP Mail SMTP” in the search bar and click “Install” before finally activating the plugin upon installation.

Step 3: Configure the WP Mail SMTP Settings

After activating the WP Mail SMTP plugin, you’ll need to configure its settings. Click the “WP Mail SMTP” tab on the WordPress dashboard and then click on the “Settings” button to start configuring the settings.

The “Settings” page has several options for customization. First, choose your mailer, which can be “SMTP” or “Other SMTP.” If your email service provider gives you an API key, select “Other SMTP.”

Next, Input your SMTP server name and port number. Most email service providers have this information available on their website. In case you have any issues, feel free to contact their technical support team.

Thirdly, type in your SMTP username and password. Usually, your email address and password provide this information. However, some email services demand an app password, which you can obtain from their website.

Then, input the email address and name that will display in the “From” field of your emails in the “From Email” and “From Name” fields. You can apply your personalized email address or create a new one exclusively for notifications from your website.

Finally, press the “Save Settings” button to save changes.

Step 4: Test Your SMTP Settings

After configuring your SMTP settings, you can test them to ensure that they’re working well. To perform this step, visit “Email Test” tab on WP Mail SMTP’s settings page. Enter your email address and press the “Send Email” button. You should receive an email within a few minutes.

If you don’t receive the email, please check the spam folder. Alternatively, go back and double-check your SMTP settings.

Final Thoughts

Configuring SMTP mail in WordPress isn’t as confusing as it initially seems. The WP Mail SMTP plugin makes the configuration process a breeze, which subsequently improves email deliverability and offers a more trustworthy approach to send electronic messages. This article provides a comprehensive guide that equips visitors to set up SMTP mail in WordPress effortlessly.