Learn How To Set Up An SMTP Server For Your WordPress Website
In WordPress, there is no in-built SMTP server to send emails. By default, it comes with PHP mail for sending emails from WordPress. But often marketers, especially the ones using WordPress for their websites, find it challenging to have their emails reach their customer’s inbox. And that is the reason many opt for free and commercial SMTP plugins. In this article, we’ll be covering how to set up a WordPress SMTP server and google SMTP server for sending emails.
Setting Up WordPress SMTP Server
If you have finalized about using an SMTP plugin, there are various SMTP plugins. For the purpose of this article, we’ll discuss setting up the WPMail plugin on a WordPress website. When it comes to SMTP plugins for WordPress, WP Mail is one of the most popular SMTP plugins used by many developers.
The main reason that this plugin is used is that it guarantees the successful delivery of email and ensures that the emails sent from the WordPress website reach the customer’s inbox without any issues.
Let’s take a look at some of the features offered by the plugin.
Email Log
The plugin logs the activity of every email sent out from the WordPress website. Logging not only helps you to store a record of all emails sent but also enables you to keep an audit of all outgoing emails. Logging also allows developers to debug any issues when email doesn’t get delivered.
Manage Notifications
Another significant feature that this plugin brings to the table is the manage notifications feature. With this feature enabled, the website admin gains complete control over all the notifications sent from WordPress. Admins can enable/disable any notifications such as new user notification, etc.
Excellent Customer Support
Another reason that this plugin is popular amongst WordPress developers and website owners is that it provides excellent customer support. There is also a forum with users waiting to answer all your doubts and queries about the plugin, and customers can also choose email support to clarify any issues. When you opt for the WP Mail Pro version, they also offer a one-to-one customer email support feature.
White-Glove Setup
People new to WordPress or who don’t have the time or technical know-how about setting up the plugin can opt for the White glove setup. Yes, when you choose this service, you can just sit back and relax, while WP Mail support personnel will take care of everything, including installation, setup, and configuration.
Security
Another highlight of this SMTP plugin is the security aspect, which is quite useful when compared with other SMTP plugins out there. Not only does the plugin adheres to the best security practices, but it also provides WordPress admins with various options to enhance email security.
How To Setup And Configure The Plugin For WordPress
Setting up the plugin is quite easy and straightforward. All you need to do is follow the steps outlined below:
Step 1) Navigate to your WordPress dashboard, click Plugins ->Add New
Step 2) Next, search for “WP Mail SMTP” plugin and install and activate it
Step 3) Once the plugin is installed and activated, go to the plugin page and click “Settings”
Step 4) Next, you will be asked to enter some details for:
- From Email – Enter your WordPress website email address from which you will be sending the emails
- Force from Email – Don’t forget to check this box
- From Name – This is the name that will appear in your emails sent to customers in the from section
- Force from Name – If you want to force the from name, check this or else simply leave it
- Mailer – Since you’ll be using WP Mail, choose “Other SMTP”
- Return Path – Don’t forget to check this box
Step 5) Next in the same WP Mail plugin settings move lower down to the Other SMTP section and provide the following details:
- SMTP Host – your hostname like [SMTP.yourhostname.com]
- Encryption – Select “TLS encryption”
- SMTP Port – Enter 587 in the SMTP port section
- Username – Provide your email address
- Password – Add a password
That’s it; you’ve successfully set up the plugin for WordPress.
Step 6) To test whether email functionality is working, click the “Email Test” link in Settings and send a test email.
Step 7) If you see that that test email is received, then it is confirmed that the plugin is working successfully.
Step 8) Scroll to the top and click the “Email Test” tab. Click the Send Email button to test. You should see it was sent successfully.
Setting Up Google SMTP Server
Setting up the Google SMTP server is not as simple as setting up the WP Mail SMTP plugin. Please follow the instructions provided below:
Step 1) Log in to your WordPress website and navigate to the dashboard section.
Step 2) Go to Plugins à Add New and search for Gmail SMTP and install it.
Step 3) Now navigate to the Gmail SMTP plugin settings.
Step 4) But before configuring the SMTP plugin, you need to create a new project in Google developer console. Click “Create New Web Application” link to go to the Google developer console.
Step 5) Next, Enable Gmail API in the console and provide all the other required details.
Step 6) Next, you are ready to provide additional information in the Gmail SMTP plugin.
Step 7) Provide the following information:
- Authorized Redirect URL
- Client ID and Client Secret
- OAuth email address
- From Email Address
- From Name
- Encryption Type
- SMTP Port
- Check “disable SSL verification” if SSL is not configured
Step 8) That’s it; you’ve successfully installed and configured Google SMTP server in WordPress.
Step 9) Use the Gmail Test Email feature to check if the email functionality is working.
Final Words
If you are serious about your emails getting delivered to your customer’s inbox, then forget the inbuilt PHP mail function and start using an SMTP server service for sending emails. We hope the above information has shed enough light on how to set up an SMTP server for your WordPress website, and you should be able to configure it on your own.
