Learn how to configure your WordPress to send messages via SMTP
By default, WordPress uses the PHP Mail function to send its emails. But this is not a reliable method and it’s much better to use SMTP to send emails. You can also use it to send emails from a third party mailing service.
I recommend you get a FREE account with SendGrid or use a Gmail email account. I use Office 365 and use my email settings from that.
First you need to install a plugin named WP Mail SMTP. If you are on a Site Care Plan with me, then I’ve installed it for you! Once the plugin is installed and activated, a new menu will show up under in the left column called WP Mail SMTP. You will need to navigate to it in order to configure WordPress to work with SMTP.
On this page you will see several configuration options available:
Here’s a list of all of them and what do they configure:
- From Email – the email address you want to send emails from – for example email@yourdomain.com;
- From Name – the name that your emails will be sent from;
- Mailer – choose whether you want to use the Default PHP mail() function, a Gmail/G Suite account, Mailgun, SendGrid or other SMTP server. Choosing the Default mode would send the messages using the PHP mail() function without SMTP authentication. The Gmail/G Suite, Mailgun and SendGrid options require additional info such as Client ID and Client Secret or API key that should be obtained by the respective provider. The other SMTP server option would prompt you to enter additional configuration details which we would describe below.
- Return Path – check if you want to match the return path for your emails to the sending email;
If you choose other SMTP server as a mailer, you would be prompted to add the SMTP server’s configuration settings.
- SMTP Host – the hostname for your SMTP server;
- SMTP Port – the port your server works on;
- Encryption – if you have SSL/TLS encryption available for that hostname, select it here;
- Auto TLS – if your server supports TLS encryption, enable this option;
- Authentication – check if your SMTP server requires authentication;
- Username – the username for your SMTP server;
- Password – the password for your SMTP server;
Once you configure those parameters, simply click the Save button at the bottom of the page.
If you are one of my Site Care clients, you can always send me your email credentials and I’ll set this up for you!
