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*Please note that because email deliverability is not a theme-related issue, I do not offer any support for authenticating emails or other DNS settings.

What is SMTP?

SMTP stands for Simple Mail Transfer Protocol. It’s a fancy way of saying "the method used to send emails." Your WordPress website uses PHP by default to send emails (like contact form notifications or booking confirmations), but this method is often unreliable.

The Problem With Default WordPress Emails

When your site sends an email (say, from a contact form), it just pretends to be sending it from your email address—but your web server isn’t actually allowed to send email on behalf of your domain. So email providers (like Gmail or Outlook) think it’s spam.

Why SMTP is Better

SMTP uses real login credentials from your email account or email provider, so the email is properly authenticated. That means:

  • Less chance of emails going to spam
  • Better trust with email providers
  • You get the emails you're supposed to get (form submissions, booking confirmations, etc.)

What You Need to Set Up SMTP on WordPress

1. An Email Sending Service (SMTP Provider)
These services help route your emails properly. Some great options:

Google Workspace (Gmail) – if you're already using Gmail for your business email

Mailgun – free for small websites

SendLayer – super beginner-friendly

Sendinblue (Brevo) – good for both newsletters & transactional emails

Postmark – reliable and fast, ideal for client notifications

2. An SMTP Plugin for WordPress
Here are the most popular (and easy-to-use) plugins:

WP Mail SMTP – most popular and beginner-friendly

Post SMTP – good logging features

FluentSMTP – lightweight and fast (and free)

Extra Tips for Better Email Deliverability

  • Use a domain-based email (e.g., hello@yourbusiness.com) instead of a generic Gmail or Hotmail.

  • Set up SPF, DKIM, and DMARC records (your email provider will guide you). These are DNS settings that help verify you're legit.

  • Use a logging plugin like WP Mail Logging to track outgoing emails and make sure nothing gets lost.

Need Help?

If you’re not sure what to do or don’t want to mess with DNS records and email settings, many website care plans (like mine!) include SMTP setup and email deliverability support. Worth every cent if you rely on emails from your website.