Instead of using the default PHP mail() function, you can send emails using our SMTP services via an SMTP plugin in WordPress. In this guide, we will set up the recommended WP SMTP Mail plugin for WordPress for sending emails.
Tip: You don't need to upgrade to the Pro version of this plugin in order to use our SMTP servers.
- Step 1 - Install and activate plugin
- Step 2 - Specify settings for "Mail"
- Step 3 - Specify settings for "Other SMTP"
- Step 4 - Send a test email
- Step 5 - Troubleshooting after a failed test (optional)
- Step 6 - Setup SPF record (optional)
Step 1 - Install and activate plugin
If you have already installed the plugin, you can go ahead and skip to step 2.
- Log in to your WP Admin.
- In the left-hand menu, select Plugins and then Add New.
- Use the search field in the right corner to look for "WP Mail SMTP".
- Look for the plugin WP Mail SMTP by WPForms and click on the button: Install Now.
- After a few seconds, the button should change from Install to Activate. Click on Activate.
If this is the first time you activate the plugin, the WP Mail SMTP Setup guide will open up automatically. But if you have had the plugin already installed or done the setup guide before, you will be redirected to your default WP Plugins overview.
If you see the setup guide after activation, underneath the orange button, click on the grey link "Go back to the Dashboard" to go to the plugin's settings page.
Step 2 - Specify settings for "Mail"
Go to the Settings page of the plugin, scroll down to Mail and use the following setup:
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From Email: Enter the email address you want to send all emails with. Since our example website is on one-example.guide, we must use an existing @one-example.guide email address.
Please note: Third-party email addresses will not work. You must enter an email address created on your domain.
→ Force From Email: This box must be checked to ensure no other email addresses are used in emails, leading to the email not being sent.
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From Name: You can enter anything you want in this field. It will be visible to your recipients.
→ Force From Name: This is optional and up to you if you want to use it.
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Set the return path to match the From Email: This is also optional.
- Mailer: Here, please select the option "Other SMTP".
Step 3 - Specify settings for "Other SMTP"
Continue with the setup and scroll down to "Other SMTP". Insert the following settings:
- SMTP Host: In most cases, this needs to be set to: mailout.one.com
Note: If your website is hosted on an external server and not ours, then the above address might not work. In those cases, use send.one.com instead.
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Encryption: Select TLS, or if this is not working, SSL. Encryption: "None" is not supported.
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SMTP Port: This field should be pre-filled depending on which Encryption you have selected.
For TLS, it needs to be 587
For SSL, it needs to be 465
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Auto TLS: (only visible if you have selected SSL as Encryption). This needs to be enabled (green colour).
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Authentication: This must be enabled (green colour).
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SMTP Username: You must enter the same email address you set for the From Email field.
- SMTP Password: The password you set for the email address the email is sent through.
Tip: Are you unsure if you have the correct password for the email account? Try logging in to your email account using our Webmail service to see if you have the correct login credentials.
- Finally, confirm the settings by clicking the button Save Settings at the bottom of the page.
Step 4 - Send a test email
- Go to your WP Mail SMTP settings page.
- Click on the tab Email Test.
- For the recipient, enter a different mail address you can access.
- Click the orange button "Send Email" and wait for a few seconds. (HTML can be on or off.)
- If the email was sent successfully, you will see the message, "The test email might have been sent, but its deliverability should be improved."
- Check the email account of the recipient to confirm its arrival.
Note: If the email arrived but landed in the Spam folder, then you need to add an SPF record to your DNS settings.
Step 5 - Troubleshooting after a failed test (optional)
Are you attempting to send a test email, but the plugin becomes unresponsive or takes a very long time to finish? Make sure to double-check for mistakes in your settings.
You will see the error message: "There was a problem while sending the test email" when:
- The recipient's email address does not exist.
- The password for your email account is not correct.
- The SMTP server address was not set up correctly. Go back to Step 2 and ensure it is set to mailout.one.com or send.one.com and nothing else.
Note: If you are using a third-party for your email services and not one.com, then you need to add the email account in your control panel for this to work. This will allow you to log in to our SMTP server.
Step 6 - Set up an SPF record (optional)
To help prevent emails being sent from landing in your Spam folder, we recommend you add an SPF record. You can find our step-by-step guide on how to do this here:
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