How do I set up an SMTP plugin to send email from my website?

SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol) is a protocol for sending emails. By default, WordPress uses the PHP mail function to send emails, but this can lead to problems in delivering emails to recipients' inbox. By using an SMTP plugin, you can ensure that your emails are sent reliably and without problems.

Step 1: Install an SMTP plugin

There are several SMTP plugins available for WordPress. The most popular are WP Mail SMTP and Easy WP SMTP. Below we use WP Mail SMTP as an example.

1. Log on to your WordPress dashboard.
2. Go to Plugins > New Plugin.
3. Search WP Mail SMTP.
4. Click Install Now then on Activate.

Step 2: Configure the SMTP settings

1. After installing and activating the plugin, go to Settings > WP Mail SMTP.
2. Fill in the following fields:
   • From Email Address: Enter the email address you want to use to send e-mails, for example [email protected].
   • By Name: Enter the name you want to display on sent emails (for example, the name of your company or website).
   • Mailer: Select Other SMTP.

Step 3: Fill in the SMTP server settings

• SMTP Host: Fill in the SMTP server from your email provider. This is usually smtp.jouwwebsite.nl for a personalised email.
• SMTP Port: The port may vary, but the usual options are:
  • Port 587 (recommended for secure email via TLS).
• Encryption: Choose between TLS (recommended) or SSL, depending on the requirements of your email provider.
• SMTP Username: This is usually your full email address (e.g. [email protected]).
• SMTP Password: This is the password of your email account or, in some cases, a app specific password that you can generate in your email provider's account settings.

Step 4: Test the settings

1. Scroll down to the section Test email.
2. Enter an email address to which you want to send a test email and click Send Mail.
3. Check your inbox to see if the test email has been delivered successfully.

Step 5: Save the settings

• Click Save Settings to save the configuration of your SMTP plugin.

Step 6: Check the operation of your website email

• Now that your SMTP plugin is configured, your website should send emails via the specified SMTP server. For example, you can make a password reset request or fill out a contact form to test whether emails are sent correctly.

Important tips:

• Use a reliable email service: Choose a reliable email service provider (such as Gmail, Mailgun, SendGrid or your hosting provider) to fill in the SMTP data. Do not use free email services without proper configuration, as they often have limitations on the number of emails sent.
• Check Junk Settings: If your emails still end up in the spam folder, it may be necessary to SPF and DKIM-records set to your domain name provider for better delivery of emails.

With a well-configured SMTP plugin, you can ensure that your website sends reliable emails and prevent your messages from being marked as spam.

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