Sending email from WordPress can be done in several ways, such as using a plugin or a third-party email service provider. In this article, we will discuss how to send email from WordPress using both methods.
Method 1: Using a plugin to send email WordPress has many email plugins available that make it easy to send email directly from your website. Here are the steps to follow:
Step 1: Install and activate an email plugin There are several plugins available that allow you to send email from WordPress. One of the most popular and reliable plugins is WP Mail SMTP. To install WP Mail SMTP, navigate to the Plugins section of your WordPress dashboard and search for "WP Mail SMTP." Click on the "Install Now" button and activate the plugin.
Step 2: Configure your email settings Once the plugin is activated, you need to configure your email settings. Navigate to the WP Mail SMTP settings page by clicking on the WP Mail SMTP menu item in the WordPress dashboard.
On the settings page, you will see several fields that need to be filled out. Here are the most important settings you need to configure:
- From Email: This is the email address that will be used to send emails from your WordPress site.
- From Name: This is the name that will be used to identify the sender of the email.
- SMTP Host: This is the SMTP server address for your email service provider. You can find this information in your email service provider's documentation.
- Encryption: Choose the encryption method that your email service provider supports. This is usually SSL or TLS.
- SMTP Port: This is the port number for your email service provider. You can find this information in your email service provider's documentation.
- Authentication: Select the authentication method that your email service provider supports. This is usually either password or OAuth.
- Username and Password: Enter your email service provider's username and password.
Step 3: Test your email settings Once you have filled out the necessary fields, click on the "Save Settings" button to save your changes. Then, click on the "Email Test" tab and enter your email address in the "To" field. Click on the "Send Email" button to test your email settings.
If the test email is delivered successfully, then your email settings are working correctly. If not, double-check that you have entered the correct settings and try the test again.
Step 4: Send email from WordPress To send email from WordPress, you can use a plugin like Contact Form 7 or Gravity Forms. These plugins allow you to create custom contact forms that users can fill out to send you a message. When a user submits a form, the message is sent to the email address you specified in the plugin settings.
To use Contact Form 7, install and activate the plugin and create a new form. In the form editor, add the fields you want to include in your form, such as name, email address, and message. Then, configure the email settings by adding your email address in the "To" field and customizing the email message. Finally, add the form to your website using the shortcode provided by the plugin.
Method 2: Using a third-party email service provider Another option for sending email from WordPress is to use a third-party email service provider, such as Sendinblue or Mailchimp. These services offer more advanced features than WordPress plugins, such as email templates, automation, and segmentation.
Here are the steps to follow to send email from WordPress using a third-party email service provider:
Step 1: Choose an email service provider There are many email service providers to choose from, each with its own set of features and pricing plans. Some popular options include Sendinblue, Mailchimp, and Constant Contact. Compare the features and pricing of each service
and choose the one that best fits your needs.
Step 2: Create an account and connect it to your WordPress site Once you have chosen an email service provider, create an account and connect it to your WordPress site. Most email service providers offer a plugin or integration that makes it easy to connect your WordPress site to their service.
Step 3: Create an email campaign To create an email campaign, navigate to your email service provider's dashboard and create a new campaign. Choose the type of campaign you want to create, such as a newsletter or promotional email, and select the recipients.
Step 4: Customize your email Next, customize your email by choosing a template or designing your own using the email service provider's drag-and-drop editor. Add your content, images, and links, and customize the colors and fonts to match your brand.
Step 5: Send your email Once you have customized your email, review it to make sure everything looks good, and then send it to your recipients. You can schedule the email to be sent at a specific time or send it immediately.
Sending email from WordPress can be done using a plugin or a third-party email service provider. Both methods have their pros and cons, so it's important to choose the method that best fits your needs. With the steps outlined in this article, you can easily send email from WordPress and take your email marketing strategy to the next level.