how to setup wp mail smtp plugin

Setting Up WP Mail SMTP Plugin in WordPress

Understanding WP Mail SMTP Plugin

WP Mail SMTP is a plugin for WordPress that improves email deliverability by using SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol) instead of the default PHP mail function. Trusted by millions, it offers seamless integration with various SMTP providers, enhancing the reliability of email notifications from your WordPress site.

Step 1: Installing WP Mail SMTP Plugin

Begin by logging into your WordPress dashboard. Navigate to ‘Plugins’, click on ‘Add New’, and search for ‘WP Mail SMTP by WPForms’. Click ‘Install Now’ and then ‘Activate’.

Step 2: Configuring WP Mail SMTP Settings

After activation, you’ll be directed to the WP Mail SMTP setup wizard. Access it via WP Mail SMTP > Settings in your dashboard. Here’s how to configure the main settings:

• From Email: The email address you want your site’s emails to come from. This should be a domain-based email address for authenticity and better email deliverability.

• From Name: The name that appears as the sender of the email. It could be your site’s name or your company name.

• Return Path: Enable this to set the return path to match the From Email. It helps handle bounces and non-delivery notifications effectively.

Step 3: Choosing Your Mailer

WP Mail SMTP provides several SMTP options. Select a mailer based on your preference or existing infrastructure:

• Default: Uses your host’s mail server. Not recommended for reliability.
• SMTP.com or Sendinblue: Popular choices with high deliverability rates and straightforward setups.
• Gmail: Good for small businesses or personal websites using Google services.
• Mailgun, SendGrid, and Amazon SES: Best for high-volume emailing with advanced needs.

Step 4: Setting Up the Mailer

Let’s go over two common configurations:

Gmail/G Suite Setup

1. Choose Gmail from the mailer options.
2. Click ‘Authorize’ to connect your Gmail account, allowing WordPress to send emails through it.
3. Follow prompts to enter your Google credentials and grant permissions.
4. After authorization, set the ‘OAuth Redirect URI’ shown in the plugin settings in your Google Developers Console.

SMTP Setup

1. Choose ‘Other SMTP’ from the mailer options.
2. Enter your SMTP host, usually provided by your hosting service or email provider.
3. Specify encryption (SSL/TLS) based on what your SMTP server supports.
4. Input SMTP port (465 for SSL, 587 for TLS).
5. Add your SMTP username and password, which may be the same as your email account login credentials.
6. Save settings and ensure ‘Authentication’ is enabled.

Step 5: Email Test

After setting up, always perform an email test. Go to WP Mail SMTP > Email Test, enter a valid email address, and click ‘Send Email’. Check if the email arrives in the inbox (and not the spam folder). This step verifies that everything is configured correctly.

Step 6: Enable Email Log (Optional)

For tracking sent emails, WP Mail SMTP offers an email logging feature. Enable this from the plugin settings to keep records of every email sent from your website – very useful for debugging and auditing purposes.

Step 7: Managing Notifications

If certain plugins use WordPress emails extensively (like WooCommerce or EDD), fine-tune the notifications and ensure they are routed correctly through WP Mail SMTP. Check plugin settings related to emails to integrate seamlessly.

Step 8: Advanced Settings

Explore advanced features such as error reporting, debugging, and handling specific server issues within WP Mail SMTP settings. These may be necessary based on the hosting environment or specific use cases.

Step 9: Regular Updates and Maintenance

Keep the WP Mail SMTP plugin updated along with other site plugins, themes, and the WordPress core itself. Updates often include security patches, new features, and improvements for better compatibility and performance.

Final Thoughts

Correctly setting up WP Mail SMTP enhances email reliability, ensuring your WordPress site communicates effectively with its users. Whether managing transactional emails, marketing messages, or simple notifications, a well-configured email service is foundational to maintaining professional and technical standards. With WP Mail SMTP, you leverage industry-standard SMTP solutions within WordPress efficiently and reliably.