One of the key features offered by web hosting servers is the ability to send emails. These can be utilized through email accounts created via cPanel’s Email Accounts feature, accessible through Webmail, or by integrating with web scripts.

While PHP provides a built-in mail() function for sending emails without authentication, this method is highly insecure. It can easily be exploited by malicious users or bots, leading to unauthorized email activity. For this reason, we have disabled the mail() function on our servers.

To send emails securely using our servers, you’ll need to configure SMTP Authentication in your web application. Today, we’ll walk you through the process of setting up SMTP authentication for a WordPress website.

What is SMTP Authentication?

SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol) Authentication ensures that the script sending the email is authorized to do so by verifying credentials such as a hostname, email address, and password. This process not only adds a layer of security but also reduces the risk of spam and unauthorized email activity.

Steps to Configure SMTP on WordPress

1. Create an Email Account in cPanel

The first step is to create an email account in cPanel:

1. Log in to your cPanel.
2. Navigate to Email Accounts under the Email section.
3. Create a new email account and note down the credentials (email address and password) for later use.

2. Install the WP Mail SMTP Plugin

Next, you’ll need to install a WordPress plugin to handle SMTP functionality. We recommend using the WP Mail SMTP plugin, one of the most popular and easy-to-use plugins for this purpose.

1. Log in to your WordPress admin dashboard.
2. Go to Plugins > Add New.
3. Search for WP Mail SMTP and install the plugin.
4. Activate the plugin.

The plugin includes a helpful setup wizard to guide you through the configuration process.

3. Configure SMTP Using the Setup Wizard

1. Launch the Setup Wizard.
2. On the first step, choose Other SMTP and click Save and Continue.
3. In the SMTP settings, enter the following:
   • SMTP Host: Your domain name (e.g., mail.yourdomain.com).
   • Encryption: Set to TLS.
   • SMTP Port: 587.
   • Authentication: Enabled.
4. Enter your SMTP Username (your full email address) and SMTP Password (the password you created for the email account).
5. Set From Name to your website or company name.
6. Set From Email to the email address you just created.
7. Click Save and Continue.

4. Final Steps in the Setup Wizard

• Step 3: No further setup is required. Simply click Save and Continue.
• Step 4: You can skip the step for configuring additional mailer services by clicking Skip this Step.
• Step 5: If you don’t have a license for the plugin’s Pro features, you can skip this step as well.

The plugin will then verify your SMTP settings. If everything is correct, you’ll see a confirmation message: “Congrats, you’ve successfully set up WP Mail SMTP!”

5. Send a Test Email

Once the setup is complete, you can send a test email to verify that everything is working correctly:

1. Go to WP Mail SMTP > Tools.
2. Enter the email address where you want to send the test email and click Send Test Email.

If the test email is successfully delivered, you’re all set!

Conclusion

By following these steps, you’ve successfully set up SMTP authentication on your WordPress site, ensuring that all outgoing emails are properly authenticated. This setup not only enhances security but also improves deliverability, ensuring that your emails are less likely to end up in spam folders.