What is WordPress SMTP Configuration and Why Should You Set It Up?
WordPress is a content management system (CMS) that enables you to create a website or blog from scratch.
One of the features of WordPress is the ability to configure it to use SMTP to send emails. SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol) is the industry standard for sending emails. By configuring WordPress to use SMTP, you can improve the delivery of your emails and ensure that they are not marked as spam.
There are a number of reasons why you might want to set up SMTP for your WordPress site. For example, if you are using a shared hosting account, your emails may be marked as spam because of the IP address that is associated with the account. By using SMTP, you can specify a different IP address for your emails, which can improve their delivery.
In addition, SMTP can provide a more secure connection for sending emails, which is important if you are handling sensitive information.
Overall, setting up SMTP for your WordPress site can improve the delivery of your emails and provide a more secure connection for sending sensitive information.
How to Configure WordPress SMTP Settings
The easiest way to configure WordPress SMTP settings is by using a free WP SMTP plugin called Fluent SMTP. The good thing about this plugin compared to other SMTP plugins available for WordPress is it’s totally free! You can add the SMTP configurations from most popular email service providers like AWS, SendInBlue, Microsoft, Elastic Email and other SMTP without spending a dollar.
Once the plugin is activated, you will need to go to the Fluent SMTP settings page and configure the following options:
From Email: This is the email address that your emails will be sent from.
From Name: This is the name that will be associated with the From Email address.
Depending on the email service provider you are using, some will ask for the following details.
API Keys: This is a technology used to integrate a SAAS or software as a service to other SAAS tools. By using API integration, it can be setup in just a few clicks.
SMTP Host: This is the hostname of your SMTP server.
SMTP Port: This is the port that your SMTP server uses.
SMTP Username and Password: Required for authentication
Access Token: Used by other email providers such as Microsoft 365
SMTP Username: This is the username that will be used for authentication.
SMTP Password: This is the password that will be used for authentication.
Once you have configured the WordPress SMTP settings, you will need to test the connection to make sure that everything is working properly. You can do this by sending a test email to yourself. If you have any problems, you will need to contact your hosting provider or SMTP server provider for assistance.
