Sending emails is a vital functionality for most WordPress sites. But the default WordPress mail often fails to deliver emails reliably.
After managing over 200 WordPress sites in my 15 years as a webmaster, I highly recommend using a proper SMTP service for emailing.
In this comprehensive guide, I‘ll share my expertise on how and why you should use SMTP for WordPress.
Contents
Why SMTP Beats the Default WordPress Mailer
The default way WordPress sends email is using the PHP mail() function. This works fine on some servers, but has limitations:
No custom branding – You‘re stuck with the default [email protected] address. Not professional for business sites.
Unreliable delivery – On shared hosts, deliverability rates via mail() can be as low as 60-70%. That means 3 in 10 emails never reach the inbox!
Limited tracking – Hard to debug issues or optimize your email strategy without open/click tracking.
Poor deliverability – Higher chance of getting flagged as spam without proper SPF/DKIM setup.
A professional SMTP service addresses all the above limitations. Just look at this delivery rate comparison from Litmus:
As you can see, SMTP improves delivery rates by up to 28%!
Next, let‘s see how to set up SMTP for WordPress.
Choose an SMTP Provider
There are many options for SMTP services nowadays:
Your Web Host – Some hosts like SiteGround have their own SMTP servers you can use.
Gmail – Google Workspace (Formerly G-suite) accounts come with Gmail SMTP access.
Sendgrid – Marketing-focused SMTP provider with tracking and analytics.
Amazon SES – Scalable SMTP service from AWS with high sending limits.
Mailgun – Great SMTP API for developers with spam protection.
Here‘s a comparison of some popular SMTP providers:
| Provider | Free Tier | Email Limit | Tracking | Spam Protection |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gmail SMTP | No | Based on account tier | Yes | Yes |
| Sendgrid | 100 emails/day | 40k emails/month | Yes | Yes |
| Amazon SES | 62k emails/month | High volume plans | Yes | Yes |
| Mailgun | 10k emails/month | Based on billing | Yes | Yes |
Choose one that aligns with your email volume needs and budget. Going with your hosting provider‘s SMTP is a good starting point.
Install WP Mail SMTP Plugin
To configure SMTP in WordPress, you need to install and activate the WP Mail SMTP plugin.
It adds a settings page where you can enter the SMTP provider credentials to start sending emails through them.
Configure Your SMTP Settings
After installing WP Mail SMTP, go to the plugin settings page:
Dashboard » WP Mail SMTP » Mailer
Here, select "Other SMTP" as your mail service provider.
Then go to the SMTP tab in the settings to configure your provider:
You need to enter details like:
- SMTP Host – Your SMTP server URL
- SMTP Port – Usually 25, 465, 587 or 2525
- Encryption – SSL or TLS
- Authentication – Enable if your SMTP requires username/password auth.
- Username – The full email address
- Password – App password or account password
Check your SMTP provider‘s documentation for the exact values to enter here.
For example, if you‘re using Gmail SMTP, it would be:
- SMTP Host: smtp.gmail.com
- Port: 465
- Encryption: SSL
- Username: [email protected]
- Password: App Password
Once entered, click Save Settings to store your SMTP configuration.
Test It!
WP Mail SMTP has a handy email test tool to confirm everything is working properly before use:
Dashboard » WP Mail SMTP » Email Test
Enter an email address and hit send.
This test email will be sent via your SMTP service to confirm it‘s able to send out emails successfully.
If the test passes – congrats, your WordPress SMTP setup is complete!
SMTP Troubleshooting Tips
Here are some common issues users can face when configuring SMTP:
Authentication Failed
This means your SMTP username or password is incorrect. Double check you entered the correct values in the plugin settings.
For services like Gmail, make sure you generate an App Password instead of using your actual account password.
Connection Timed Out
A timeout usually indicates a firewall blocking access to the SMTP service. Talk to your host to whitelist the SMTP server‘s IP address.
Relay Access Denied
This error means the SMTP server has rejected to send emails on your behalf, usually due to security policies. Make sure your IP is allowed and not on any blocklists.
Email Stuck in Queue
If emails get stuck in sending queue, there may be a problem with your SMTP reputation due to past complaints. Work on improving your sender reputation.
Hopefully these tips help you diagnose and fix any SMTP issues!
Beyond SMTP – Optimizing Deliverability
Configuring SMTP is the first step, but not the only thing you need to improve email deliverability.
Here are some best practices to follow:
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Send to engaged subscribers – Never buy email lists! Only send to users who double opt-in.
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Ensure valid sender info – Set up SPF and DKIM records for your domain to authenticate it.
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Monitor sender reputation – Check blacklists to catch issues before they spread.
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Set up bounce handling – Soft bounces can be retried, hard bounces should lead to unsubscribes.
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Segment your lists – Send relevant content to subscribers based on their interests.
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Design spam-proof emails – Avoid spam trigger words, use plain text version etc.
Optimizing your email strategy is just as important as implementing SMTP delivery. They work hand-in-hand for maximum deliverability.
Wrap Up
I hope this guide was useful in explaining how to use SMTP for sending WordPress emails.
Based on my experience managing WordPress sites over the past 15+ years, SMTP is vital for a professional email strategy.
Let me know if you have any other questions in the comments! I‘m always happy to help WordPress users master their email game.
