Have you ever experienced a situation where emails sent from your WordPress site end up in the spam folder or not being sent at all?
You’re not alone.
This is a common issue that many WordPress website owners face, leading to the potential loss of loyal customers. Reliable email delivery is a fundamental expectation for any business, and failing to meet this standard can damage your reputation.
In today’s fast-paced digital world, providing instant and reliable services, including seamless email delivery, has become an industry standard.
WordPress generates two main types of emails:
- Administrative Emails – These are routine communications, such as site maintenance alerts or recent notifications.
- User-Triggered Emails – These include actions initiated by users, like password reset requests, new user creation, form submission acknowledgments, and order confirmations for e-commerce sites.
Both types of emails are crucial, and timely delivery to your customers’ inboxes is essential. But what if your emails aren’t reaching their destination on time? What could be causing this issue?
In this article, we’ll explore the intricacies of ensuring reliable WordPress email delivery by utilizing an SMTP server.
Let’s dive in.
How is an Email Delivered?
By default, WordPress uses the wp_mail function to send emails, which consists of a PHP mailer. It’s an open-source PHP library that supports sending emails using various protocols. However, as simple as it may sound, using this technique can cause your emails to land directly in the spam folder or not get sent at all because it lacks authentication.
But there is another way to reliably deliver an email: by using a transactional email service provider that can effectively manage your email delivery system.
What is SMTP?
SMTP—Simple Mail Transfer Protocol—is a communication protocol used to deliver emails between servers. When configured, it can route the email to a dedicated server instead of relying on your host server to deliver it without proper authentication.
Main Benefits of Using SMTP:
Using a SMTP provides you with a way to deliver emails without interruptions and has many vital benefits.
Let’s explore all of them one by one.
- Authentication: SMTP improves your WordPress email delivery process using authentication protocols like SMTP-Auth and STARTLS. These protocols are great for avoiding unauthorized access and email spoofing.
- Encryption: With the increase of digital attacks, protecting your confidential emails is essential. Thus, by sending emails using SMTP with protocols like TLS & SSL, you can keep your emails safe.
- Dedicated SMTP Servers: One of the many reasons your email delivery without SMTP gets marked as spam is that when you use WordPress’s default email sending function (wp_mail()), you’re using the host server to deliver emails, which is mainly shared. Thus, email delivery is affected by having spammy servers.
Are you impressed by all of these benefits? Let’s now learn how to set up SMTP plugin for WordPress.
How to Set Up SMTP Plugin for WordPress?
Once you understand how SMTP makes email delivery reliable, it’s time to learn how to install it on your WordPress website. You’ll need to choose a reliable plugin to set up SMTP. WP Mail SMTP by WPForms is the most popular option, which offers free and paid versions.
Install WP Mail SMTP:
Go to your WordPress dashboard, navigate to Plugins > Add New, and search “WP Mail SMTP.”
Install and activate the plugin.
Configure SMTP Settings:
After activation, go to WP Mail SMTP > Settings.
Under the “From Email” and “From Name” fields, input the email and name you want to appear in your outgoing emails.
Ensure that the “Force From Email” and “Force From Name” options are enabled to maintain consistency across all emails.
Choose Your Mailer:
The plugin supports several mailers, including Gmail, SendLayer, SMTP.com, and Sendinblue. For this guide, we’ll focus on Gmail.
Select “Google/Gmail” as your mailer, and you’ll be prompted to provide OAuth credentials.
Set Up Google OAuth Credentials:
Integrating Gmail API for sending emails from your WordPress website can make your experience smoother and more secure. Follow these simple steps to integrate Gmail API:
- Visit the Google Cloud Console and create a new project.
- Enable the Gmail API and create OAuth credentials.
- Enter the Client ID and Client Secret generated in Google Cloud Console into the WP Mail SMTP settings.
SMTP Option for Email Delivery
If OAuth seems too complex or you’re looking for a simpler solution, you can also configure your WordPress site to send emails using the SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol) option. This method allows you to specify the SMTP settings provided by your email service provider, ensuring more reliable email delivery than the default wp_mail() function.
To set up SMTP, follow these steps:
- Choose an SMTP Plugin: There are several popular plugins like WP Mail SMTP or Easy WP SMTP that make it easy to configure SMTP on your WordPress site.
- Configure SMTP Settings: Once the plugin is installed and activated, you’ll need to enter the SMTP settings provided by your email service. These typically include:
- SMTP Host: The server address of your email provider.
- SMTP Port: The port number (usually 587 for TLS or 465 for SSL).
- Encryption: Select either TLS or SSL based on your provider’s recommendation.
- Authentication: Enter your email address and password.
- Test the Configuration: Most SMTP plugins allow you to send a test email to ensure that the setup is working correctly.
Important Note for Gmail/Google Workspace Users:
The SMTP option does not work with Gmail or Google Workspace due to their enhanced security measures. Instead, you’ll need to set up an App Password. Here’s a detailed guide on how to create an App Password for Gmail/Google Workspace.
Testing and Troubleshooting:
After setting up, navigate to the “Email Test” tab in WP Mail SMTP.
Send a test email to verify that everything is working correctly.
Check your spam folder or review your SMTP settings if the test email doesn’t arrive.
Essential SMTP Plugins for Reliable WordPress Email Delivery
To ensure your WordPress emails are delivered reliably and don’t end up in the spam folder, it’s crucial to use the right SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol) plugins. These plugins configure your WordPress site to send emails through a trusted SMTP server, improving email deliverability. Here are some of the most effective SMTP plugins you can use:
WP Mail SMTP
WP Mail SMTP is one of the most popular SMTP plugins available. It simplifies the process of configuring your WordPress site to send emails through an SMTP server. With built-in support for major email providers like Gmail, SendGrid, and Mailgun, WP Mail SMTP allows you to authenticate your emails and avoid spam filters. The plugin also includes detailed email logs and error tracking, making it easier to diagnose any issues with email delivery.
Post SMTP Mailer/Email Log
Post SMTP is a powerful plugin that not only enables SMTP email delivery but also provides advanced debugging tools. It supports OAuth 2.0 for secure email authentication and integrates with popular email providers. The plugin also offers a comprehensive email log feature, allowing you to track every email sent from your WordPress site, view delivery statuses, and receive notifications if an email fails to send.
Easy WP SMTP
Easy WP SMTP is a lightweight and straightforward plugin designed to set up your WordPress site to send emails via an SMTP server. It supports various email services like Gmail, Yahoo, and Outlook, and provides an option to test the email configuration before sending out emails. Easy WP SMTP is ideal for users who want a simple, no-frills solution to improve their email deliverability.
Fluent SMTP
Fluent SMTP is a powerful and user-friendly plugin designed to improve the reliability of email delivery on WordPress sites. It allows you to easily configure multiple SMTP connections and manage email routing with advanced features. Fluent SMTP supports various popular email services like Amazon SES, SendGrid, and Mailgun, offering flexibility in choosing the best service for your needs. The plugin also includes detailed email logs, which provide insight into sent emails and help troubleshoot delivery issues. With its intuitive interface and robust features, Fluent SMTP ensures that your WordPress emails reach the intended recipients without hassle.
Custom SMTP Plugin
For businesses with specific email needs, a custom SMTP plugin can offer a tailored solution that ensures optimal email deliverability and security. A bespoke plugin allows for precise configuration to meet the unique requirements of your WordPress site.
If you’re considering enhancing your email infrastructure, exploring custom WordPress development options could be a step in the right direction.
By integrating these SMTP plugins, you can significantly enhance the reliability of your WordPress email delivery, ensuring that your emails reach your customers’ inboxes consistently and securely.
Advanced tips to ensure reliable Email Delivery
Ensuring seamless email delivery from your WordPress website is crucial for maintaining effective communication. To help you achieve flawless email performance, we’ve compiled advanced tips and strategies designed to guarantee that your emails reach their intended recipients without any issues.
Use a Custom Domain:
With Google Workspace or another SMTP provider, you can use your custom domain for improved delivery. It will also provide you with better brand recognition.
Monitor Email Logs:
With WP Mail SMTP, you can have detailed logs of all your sent emails. This can be helpful for troubleshooting possible issues and ensuring seamless delivery.
Consider Paid SMTP services:
Paid SMTP services can offer significant advantages, providing additional features that justify their cost. These services often come with enhanced security, detailed analytics, and higher deliverability rates, making them ideal for users who need to send large volumes of emails daily. However, if your email needs are more modest, a paid service might not be necessary.
Popular paid SMTP options include PostMark, SMTP2Go, and Amazon SES. If you’re not comfortable handling the technical aspects of email delivery, you might want to consult an expert WordPress developer to ensure a smooth setup and operation.
Bottom Line
Configuring SMTP on your WordPress site can significantly enhance email deliverability, ensuring that your messages consistently reach your users’ inboxes. Whether you opt for a free Gmail SMTP or a premium service, the key is to correctly configure your settings and regularly monitor your email logs. This proactive approach will help you maintain reliable communication and avoid potential delivery issues.
