If you’re a beginner WordPress user hosted with US Domain Center, you might encounter issues with email delivery from your website. Fortunately, the WP Mail SMTP plugin offers a simple and effective solution to ensure reliable email delivery. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore what WP Mail SMTP is, why it’s essential for your WordPress site hosted with US Domain Center, and how to set it up step by step.

What is WP Mail SMTP?

WP Mail SMTP is a WordPress plugin that reconfigures the wp_mail() function to use SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol) instead of the default PHP mail() function. By using SMTP, WP Mail SMTP helps improve email deliverability and ensures that emails sent from your WordPress site reach their intended recipients successfully.

Why Use WP Mail SMTP with US Domain Center Hosting?

When you use the default PHP mail() function to send emails from your WordPress site hosted with US Domain Center, there’s a higher chance that your emails may end up in the spam folder or not be delivered at all. This is because many email providers are strict about spam filtering and may flag emails sent via PHP mail() as suspicious.

By using WP Mail SMTP with US Domain Center hosting, you can bypass these delivery issues and ensure that your emails are sent securely through authenticated SMTP servers. This improves the chances of your emails being delivered to the inbox rather than the spam folder.

Setting Up WP Mail SMTP with US Domain Center Hosting

Follow these step-by-step instructions to set up WP Mail SMTP on your WordPress site hosted with US Domain Center:

Step 1: Install and Activate the WP Mail SMTP Plugin

1. Log in to your WordPress admin dashboard.
2. Navigate to “Plugins” > “Add New.”
3. Search for “WP Mail SMTP.”
4. Click “Install Now” and then “Activate” to activate the plugin.

Step 2: Configure WP Mail SMTP Settings

1. After activating the plugin, go to “WP Mail SMTP” in your WordPress dashboard.
2. Enter the “From Email” and “From Name” fields. These will be used as the sender’s email address and name for outgoing emails.
3. Choose an SMTP mailer. We recommend using “Other SMTP” for compatibility with US Domain Center hosting.
4. Configure SMTP settings:
   • SMTP Host: smtp.example.com (replace “example.com” with your SMTP server hostname provided by US Domain Center)
   • Encryption: Choose “SSL” or “TLS” (consult US Domain Center‘s documentation for the correct encryption method)
   • SMTP Port: Use the port number provided by US Domain Center (typically 465 for SSL or 587 for TLS)
   • SMTP Authentication: Check the box and enter your SMTP username and password provided by US Domain Center.
5. Click “Save Settings.”

Step 3: Test Email Configuration

1. Scroll down to the “Email Test” section.
2. Enter your email address in the “Send To” field.
3. Click the “Send Email” button to send a test email.
4. Check your inbox to verify that you’ve received the test email.

Conclusion

WP Mail SMTP is a powerful tool for ensuring reliable email delivery from your WordPress site hosted with US Domain Center. By configuring your site to use authenticated SMTP servers, you can bypass common email delivery issues and improve the chances of your emails reaching the inbox. With this beginner’s guide, you can set up WP Mail SMTP quickly and easily, giving you peace of mind knowing that your emails are being delivered reliably to your audience.