How to Use Free SMTP Server to Send WordPress Emails (3 Methods)

Do you need to use a free SMTP server to ship WordPress emails?

By default, WordPress makes use of the PHP mail perform, which is unreliable and sometimes marks your emails as spam. Using an SMTP server is the easiest way to ensure that your WordPress emails truly get delivered.

In this text, we’ll present you the way to use a free SMTP server to ship WordPress emails.

Why Use an SMTP Server to Send WordPress Emails?

Often web site homeowners complain in regards to the WordPress not sending email issue.

By default, WordPress sends emails by means of the PHP mail perform. Unfortunately, not all WordPress hosting servers are accurately configured to use PHP mail.

Even when the emails are despatched efficiently, they might get incorrectly recognized as spam. This means they might be robotically deleted with out ever being seen.

The greatest means to guarantee deliverability in your WordPress emails is through the use of an SMTP server. It is the usual protocol to ship emails on the web.

SMTP servers use correct authentication to ensure that the e-mail is shipped by a licensed sender. This improves deliverability, and your emails safely land in customers’ inboxes.

Now, you want a plugin to join your WordPress web site to your SMTP server. We can be utilizing the WP Mail SMTP plugin, which is the very best SMTP plugin for WordPress.

Luckily, there’s a free version of WP Mail SMTP out there as effectively.

That being mentioned, let’s check out how to arrange WP Mail SMTP after which how to join it to common free SMTP servers.

Installing the WP Mail SMTP Plugin for WordPress

The first step is to set up and activate the WP Mail SMTP plugin. For extra particulars, see our step-by-step information on how to install a WordPress plugin.

Upon activation, you will notice the WP Mail SMTP setup wizard. You can skip the wizard as a result of we’ll present you the way to arrange the plugin manually.

Just click on the ‘Go back to the Dashboard’ hyperlink on the backside.

You ought to now see the WP Mail SMTP » Settings web page, the place you’ll be able to configure the plugin.

If you bought a Pro license, then you’ll need to paste the license key and click on the ‘Verify Key’ button. You can discover the license key in your account space on the WP Mail SMTP web site.

You want to begin by coming into your From Email and From Name. WordPress emails can be despatched from this e mail deal with and identify.

You ought to go away the ‘Force From Email’ field checked. This ensures that each one emails out of your WordPress web site are despatched from that e mail deal with by means of your SMTP server.

Next, you must scroll down to the Mailer part, the place you’ll be able to select an SMTP mailing service. Simply click on on the one that you really want to use.

The subsequent steps rely upon which service you select.

We will cowl how to arrange a lot of free SMTP servers step-by-step. You want to hold your WP Mail SMTP settings tab open after which comply with the directions in your chosen SMTP server:

1. Sending WordPress Emails Using Gmail SMTP Server

You can use a free Gmail account to ship SMTP emails. If you don’t have already got a Gmail account, then you definitely want to create one earlier than following the remainder of these directions.

With a free Gmail account, you’ll be able to ship up to 500 emails per day. However, you probably have entry to a paid Google Workspace account, then that restrict is elevated to 2000 emails per day.

First, log in to your WordPress admin, the place you must have already got put in WP Mail SMTP. On the WP Mail SMTP » Settings web page, it’s essential to choose ‘Google / Gmail’ as your mailer.

Now, connecting WordPress plugins to Gmail and different Google companies might be a whole lot of work. The excellent news is that the Pro version of WP Mail SMTP gives a one-click setup that’s fast and easy. We strongly advocate this.

To get began, merely toggle the ‘One-Click Setup’ possibility to the on place.

You will see a discover that you just want to save settings earlier than you’ll be able to proceed, so be sure to click on the ‘Save Settings’ button on the backside of the web page.

When you scroll again down the web page, you will notice that there’s now a ‘Sign in with Google’ button. You want to click on that button to authorize the plugin.

You can be requested to choose a Google account, agree to the phrases of service, and click on an ‘Allow’ button to permit WP Mail SMTP to ship e mail.

Congratulations, you will have efficiently linked the present web site with Google. You can begin sending emails by means of Gmail.

But first, you must go forward and test that your email is working.

2. Sending WordPress Emails Using Brevo (Sendinblue) SMTP Server

Brevo (previously Sendinblue) allows you to ship up to 300 free emails every day out of your web site.

To use Brevo, be sure to choose ‘Sendinblue’ on the WP Mail SMTP » Settings web page within the screenshot above.

Next, you want to create an account on the Brevo website. After confirming your e mail deal with, you’ll be requested to fill in some details about your online business. You may even obtain a textual content message with a affirmation code to enter.

Next, you’ll be requested to select a Brevo pricing plan.

Simply click on on the ‘Continue with a Free plan’ button.

You will now see your Brevo dashboard.

Creating a New Subdomain for Your Email

Before going additional, you want to create a subdomain in your web site, reminiscent of mail1.yourdomain.com.

To do that, log in to your webhosting or domain registrar account, after which comply with their directions for including a subdomain.

If you’re utilizing Bluehost, then you definitely want to click on on the Hosting tab on the left. You can open the management panel by clicking the ‘cPanel’ button on the backside of the web page.

This will launch the cPanel dashboard in your web site.

You can scroll down to the Domains part after which click on the ‘Domains’ possibility.

You will now see a web page that lists your present domains and subdomains.

To create a brand new subdomain, you’ll need to click on the ‘Create A New Domain’ button.

On the following web page, you’ll need to enter the subdomain you desire to to create adopted by your area identify, reminiscent of ‘mail1.startawpsite.com’.

Next, you want to click on the ‘Submit’ button to proceed. Bluehost will add the subdomain to your internet hosting.

After creating the subdomain, you want to add it to your Brevo account.

Adding Your Subdomain to Brevo

In your Brevo account, you want to go to the Settings web page. On this web page, scroll to the ‘Your Senders and Domains’ part and click on the ‘Configure’ button under it.

Next, you want to click on ‘Domains’ from the menu that’s displayed, after which click on the ‘Add a domain’ button.

Go forward and enter your entire subdomain, reminiscent of mail1.yoursite.com. You additionally want to select your e mail area supplier from the dropdown menu. If your supplier just isn’t on the checklist, merely select ‘Other’.

Make certain you click on the ‘Save this email domain’ button if you find yourself completed.

Once the e-mail area is saved, you’ll need to confirm that it belongs to you. You will want to add 2 codes to your DNS settings. The first will confirm that you just personal the area, and the second will enhance e mail deliverability.

Next, you want to open the DNS settings in your area in your webhosting account. Your net host ought to have directions for this. Make certain you allow the tab with the Brevo web site open so you’ll be able to copy the settings.

For instance, in Bluehost, you want to go to the Domains tab and click on the ‘Settings’ button subsequent to your web site’s area identify.

After that, you will notice totally different area settings in Bluehost.

Simply scroll down and click on on the ‘Advanced Tools’ possibility.

Here, Bluehost will present the nameservers in your area and different information.

To handle DNS information, you’ll be able to click on the ‘Manage’ button subsequent to Advanced DNS Records.

Next, Bluehost will show a warning message that solely superior customers ought to change the DNS information as a result of, with the flawed settings, you’ll be able to lose entry to your e mail and web site.

You can merely click on the ‘Continue’ button.

This will take you to a display screen the place you’ll be able to handle your WordPress web site’s DNS information.

You want to click on the ‘Add Record’ button after which add the Brevo code file utilizing the knowledge on the Brevo web site. Then, you must do the identical to add the DKIM file.

Once you will have added each TXT information to your area’s DNS settings, you want to return to the Brevo web site.

From right here, you want to click on the button labeled ‘Authenticate this email domain’. You must be taken to a brand new web page, the place you’ll be able to see successful message that it’s authenticated.

Enabling Brevo in WP Mail SMTP

Now, you simply want to end enabling Brevo in your WordPress web site. Simply return to the WP Mail SMTP Settings web page that you just opened up earlier and discover the API key field.

Then, click on the ‘Get v3 API Key’ hyperlink.

This hyperlink will open up the right web page of your Brevo account in a brand new tab.

Here, you simply want to copy the SMTP key worth.

Once you’ve copied it, return to WP Mail SMTP and paste within the API key.

You may even want to fill within the sending area that you just entered in Brevo earlier, reminiscent of mail1.yoursite.com.

Make certain you click on the ‘Save Settings’ button after doing so.

Congratulations, you will have efficiently arrange Brevo. You simply want to anticipate them to activate your account.

Now, it’s time to go forward and test that your email is working.

3. Sending WordPress Emails Using SendGrid SMTP Server

SendGrid gives a free plan that allows you to ship up to 100 free every day emails.

First, you want to go to the SendGrid web site and click on the ‘Start For Free’ button to create your free account.

After creating your account, a verification course of can be triggered. Your account can be positioned quickly on maintain whereas they ask you some questions through e mail. They do that to be sure to will use the service in a means that aligns with their insurance policies and values.

Once your utility is authorized, you’ll be able to sign up to your SendGrid dashboard.

Creating a Sender Identity

Your first step is to create a sender id, which is the ‘from’ deal with used in your emails. To do that, you want to click on on ‘Sender Authentication’ within the Settings part on the backside of the dashboard menu.

This will take you to the SendGrid Sender Authentication web page.

You ought to scroll down to the Single Sender Verification part after which click on the ‘Get Started’ button underneath ‘Verify an Address’.

This will show a type the place you’ll be able to create a sender.

Then, merely enter the identify, e mail deal with, and mailing deal with you need to use in your emails. When you’re completed, you’ll be able to click on the ‘Create’ button to retailer your sender particulars.

You will obtain a affirmation e mail in your inbox to confirm this business email address.

Make certain you click on the hyperlink within the message to full the only sender id setup.

Once you’ve verified your e mail deal with, go forward and return to your SendGrid dashboard by clicking the Dashboard hyperlink within the sidebar.

Generating an API Key

The subsequent step is to generate an API key so you’ll be able to join your web site to your SendGrid account and begin sending emails.

Using the SendGrid dashboard menu, you want to discover the Email API part and click on ‘Integration Guide’.

On the following web page, you’ll be requested to select an integration methodology.

Inside the SMTP Relay field, go forward and click on the ‘Choose’ button.

You want to give the API key a reputation that may remind you what you’re utilizing it for sooner or later.

In this instance, we named it ‘WP Mail SMTP’.

Now, you’ll be able to click on the ‘Create Key’ button to generate the API key.

You ought to see a message confirming that it was efficiently created, and the API key can be displayed beneath.

You will want this key within the subsequent part, so go away the SendGrid tab open in your browser.

Connecting WP Mail SMTP to Your SendGrid Account

Next, return to your WordPress admin browser tab and go to WP Mail SMTP » Settings. You ought to have already chosen SendGrid in your mailer. If not, choose it now.

At the underside of the display screen, you will notice a field for coming into your SendGrid API key. Simply copy and paste it right here, then click on the ‘Save Settings’ button.

Next, you want to confirm that your integration is working.

First, go to the Email Test tab in your WP Mail SMTP settings. Then, enter your e mail deal with and click on the ‘Send Email’ button.

You ought to see a message that the take a look at e mail was despatched efficiently. You can verify this by going to your inbox and checking the e-mail is there.

Now that your take a look at e mail has been despatched efficiently, return to the tab along with your SendGrid API web page. You want to go forward and verify the ‘I’ve up to date my settings’ field. Then, click on the ‘Next: Verify Integration’ button.

On the following display screen, it’s essential to click on the ‘Verify Integration’ button.

You ought to then see a message confirming that SendGrid obtained your e mail and your setup is full.

Authenticating a Subdomain in SendGrid

To end organising SendGrid, you must create and authenticate a subdomain to assist enhance your e mail deliverability.

Now, you want to create a subdomain in your web site, reminiscent of sg.yourdomain.com. You can do that by logging in to your webhosting account and following their directions for including a subdomain.

If you’re utilizing Bluehost, then you definitely want to log in to your net host account and click on on the Hosting tab on the left. You can open the management panel by clicking the ‘cPanel’ button on the backside of the web page.

This will launch the cPanel dashboard in your web site.

You can scroll down to the Domains part after which click on the ‘Domains’ possibility.

You will now see a web page that lists your present domains and subdomains.

To create a brand new subdomain, you’ll need to click on the ‘Create A New Domain’ button.

On the following web page, it’s essential to enter the subdomain you desire to to create.

We counsel utilizing sg.yourdomain.com in your subdomain. Make certain you click on the ‘Submit’ button to retailer your new subdomain.

After creating the subdomain, you want to add it to your SendGrid account.

To do that, you want to return to the Settings » Sender Authentication web page in your SendGrid account. Under ‘Domain Authentication’ you want to click on the ‘Get Started’ button.

Now, you must choose your DNS host. This is your website host, reminiscent of Bluehost or SiteGround, until your area identify is registered with a unique firm.

In the second step, choose the ‘Yes’ possibility for ‘Would you also like to brand the links for this domain?’ This implies that your emails can be proven as coming out of your area, not SendGrid’s.

Then, merely click on the ‘Next’ button.

Now, you want to enter your area within the ‘Domain You Send From’ field. Below this, click on the ‘Advanced Settings’ hyperlink to open up some extra choices.

From right here, you’ll be able to uncheck the ‘Use automated security’ field and verify the ‘Use custom return path’ field. Then, sort the primary a part of your subdomain for the ‘Return Path’.

For occasion, in case your subdomain is sg.instance.com, then sort in sg.

Once you’ve executed this, it’s essential to click on the ‘Next’ button.

Next, you will notice some DNS information that you just want to add to your area. You can seek the advice of your net host’s documentation or refer to our Brevo methodology for assist doing this.

After you’ve added the information, go forward and click on the ‘Verify’ button on the backside of the display screen. You ought to then see successful message.

Finally, take a look at your SMTP e mail once more to make sure that emails are being despatched accurately.

Testing That Your SMTP Mail is Working

The last step for all these strategies is to ship a take a look at e mail to make sure that every little thing is working because it ought to.

First, go to the ‘Email Test’ tab within the WP Mail SMTP settings. Then, enter the e-mail deal with the place you need the take a look at e mail to be despatched if it’s totally different from the default.

Simply click on the ‘Send Email button, and your e mail can be despatched.

You ought to see a message to let that the e-mail was despatched efficiently.

Next, go forward and verify your inbox to ensure that the take a look at e mail has arrived.

Other Free SMTP Mailer Options

There are different free SMTP mailer choices you might use as a substitute of those we have now lined:

• Outlook: This entails an extended setup course of than different strategies, however the benefit is that you could ship many emails (up to 5,000 per day).
• Amazon SES: This service is simply beneficial in case you are assured with know-how, because the setup is kind of complicated. It is free in your first yr.
• SMTP.com: This is a strong and dependable possibility. The downside is that it is just free in your first 30 days, then you will have to pay to use it.

For all these, you will get directions by deciding on the mailer in your WP Mail SMTP settings web page after which clicking the documentation hyperlink. This will open up the directions in a brand new tab.

We hope this text helped you find out how to use a free SMTP server to ship WordPress emails. You may additionally like to take a look at our articles on the best email marketing services and our comparability of the best virtual business phone number apps (with free choices).

If you appreciated this text, then please subscribe to our YouTube Channel for WordPress video tutorials. You also can discover us on Twitter and Facebook.