WordPress send the emails of the same server where you have hosted your website. It can send emails to inform about new comments, registrations and contact form inquiries. This process and functionality work with a limit and also your server might not be configured to handle email properly. The WordPress uses PHP bt default to handle the email functions, which is not a more reliable method. It has a possibility to deliver the emails to Spam/Junk folder or may decrease email deliverability.
A better solution is to use the Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP) server to send and receive the emails. These types of servers may have more expansive functionality. They are also safer than relying on PHP.
Steps to send Emails from WordPress Using an SMTP Server :
An Integrating SMTP server with WordPress is easy, with the help of plugins such as WP Mail SMTP. This a particular tool that is used to enable and configure an SMTP server of your choice in moments, and it also gets works with various popular options available online. Let us see how to configure the plugin using two different SMTP platforms.
Using the Branded Email Address in WordPress:
Now you need to install and activate the WP Mail SMTP plugin. Once it is activated, follow the below step by step methods to configure the emails.
Once the plugin is activated, you need to visit Settings » Email to configure the plugin settings.
First, you need to enter ‘from’ email address that is created in the webmail of cPanel. Then you can add the sender name from which the emails will be sent.
If the from address is not added, then the plugin will use the default WordPress name on it.
Next, you need to choose the mailer. Go forward and click on the ‘Other SMTP’ option to select the option.
After that, you need to check the box next to the ‘Return-Path’ option. It sets the return path to match the sender email address. If you leave it unchecked, the bounced messages and non-delivery receipts will be getting lost.
Next, you need to set up the SMTP settings.
Initially, enter your SMTP host and port number. You can receive this information from your hosting provider. Typically, SMTP host is mail.yourdomain.com (you can replace yourdomain.com with your own domain name). For SMTP Port 465 is commonly used.
Next, you need to choose the encryption. We recommend supporting SSL and TLS.
Then turn on the authentication toggle and provide your SMTP username and password. Normally, your email address is also the same as your SMTP username.
Your password is stored as plain text, which is not secure.
At last click on the save settings button to store the changes that you made.
Test Your SMTP Settings
Instantly after setting up WP Mail SMTP to send emails, let’s test if everything is working fine. Go to the plugin’s settings page, click on the ‘Email Test’ tab.
Send test email
You need to provide a Recipient email address where you would like to receive the test email. This could be any valid email address that you can access. Next to that click on the Send Email button to continue.
WP Mail SMTP will now send an email message using the SMTP settings you entered earlier. The pop-up message will appear when an email is sent successfully.