WordPress makes many site tasks easier, but most of the WordPress send email methods are still a massive hassle. Sending email in WordPress shouldn’t be so complicated. If you’re tired of emails sending correctly, there is something you can do about it.
WordPress Can Send Emails, Just Not Well
By default, WordPress uses the PHP function wp_mail(), which uses the underlying mail() function. This lets WordPress send email messages automatically, such as welcoming new users upon registration, confirming contact form submissions, and handling password resets.
Does this mean everything works like it should? No.
The problem is, most web hosts don’t work with PHP email functions. Typically, web hosts disable PHP mail completely or just don’t configure authentication properly in an attempt to reduce spam. Even when your emails send, they don’t land in users’ inboxes. They jump straight to spam folders. And, for many popular email services, they’re rejected completely due to the lack of authentication.
The worst part is, you might not even realize something’s wrong until email servers have already marked your domain as spam.
What Makes Sending Email So Complicated for Web Hosts
The combination of how WordPress sends emails and strict verification methods from email servers creates a perfect storm that gets your messages rejected.
No one likes spam, and email servers do their best to reduce spam automatically. That’s why several verification steps are necessary, such as:
- DomainKeys Identified Mail (DKIM) – Creates digital signatures as proof against tampering
- Sender Policy Framework (SPF) – Ensures the server is allowed to send messages from your domain
- Domain-based Message Authentication, Reporting, and Conformance (DMARC) – Lets the receiving servers know what to do with any unauthenticated messages
Whenever WordPress sends emails using the default PHP mail function, the messages appear to come from the web host’s server versus an authenticated email server. Email providers see these as suspicious and block them since they don’t follow the normal flow for sending email.
How to Send Email in WordPress Successfully
Since PHP mail obviously doesn’t work so well, you need to skip the WordPress email defaults. Otherwise, it’s highly probable that your messages being blocked as spam. That’s not a game you want to play.
Instead, you should utilize SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol) to send your email from WordPress. This method re-routes messages through a recognized mail server. In simple terms, it makes your messages more trustworthy in the eyes of email services.
You have several options. Choosing the right one depends on your site’s needs and what’s easiest for you.
Use What Your Web Host Recommends
This isn’t always an option, but many web hosts provide settings for setting up SMTP for WordPress to send emails. They may also offer integrations with various email providers and SMTP plugins.
It is worth checking to see if your web host’s documentation covers any built-in options. If so, it’s usually a simple process to set everything up. You also know for sure it’ll work with both your WordPress and web host. You’ll also be able to contact your web host’s support if something goes wrong.
Use a Dedicated Email Service to Send Messages
If your site sends a high volume of messages regularly, it may be best to opt for a dedicated email service. These send the emails for you and typically offer analytics to help you monitor your send activity, along with marketing tools. They handle the heavy lifting, while you manage your site.
It’s important to note that you’ll either need an SMTP plugin or a specific WordPress integration for WordPress to send email via these services.
Most of these services only let you send a set amount of messages per day for free. Then, you have to pay based on daily/weekly/monthly volume.
Use an SMTP Plugin for WordPress
As with most things in WordPress, a plugin is usually the easiest and best answer. There are numerous SMTP plugins, but it’s best for your WordPress site to opt for plugins that offer multiple tools in one to reduce bloat and increase loading speeds.
SMTP plugins let you connect to a third-party email service, including your email with your web host. Instead of seeming like spam, you’re sending from a trusted email server.
One of our very own Admin Optimizer‘s modules is SMTP Mail. Open Admin Optimizer from the WordPress dashboard. Go to Modules -> Utilities and enable Enable SMTP Mail.
Click Save Changes. Then, click the newly added SMTP Mail option under Admin Optimizer.
From here, enter all the details for your email service. Click Save and scroll to the bottom, enter an email address in the Send a Test Email text prompt, and click Send Test Email. This lets you quickly verify if the setup is correct.
This plugin works well with any SMTP mail service, including dedicated email services that offer detailed analytics to help you better manage email campaigns.
Until WordPress offers a built-in SMTP option versus using PHP mail, the best option to reliably send email in WordPress is to use a SMTP plugin.
