This topic covers processes relating to a cPanel service.
You will need to be logged into the cPanel account to follow the steps. If you’re not sure how to access your cPanel service — please, follow this guide before continuing: How do I login to cPanel?
By default, WordPress uses ‘PHPMail’ to send email. However, this method no longer qualifies as best practice due to the ever-increasing levels of spam. Instead, configure SMTP for WordPress to improve email reliability and security.
As a result, email providers have begun to implement rules based on how the email was sent and often mail sent via ‘PHPMail’ can be classified as junk and filtered accordingly once it reaches the destination.
To reduce spam and follow security best practices, on our hosting services, all SMTP requests need to authenticate on the local server.
To do this, we recommend configuring an SMTP service for WordPress to use, and by doing so all mail sent by the website will then use this mechanism (authenticate on the local server) instead. As a bonus, you have more control over how email is delivered, and the setup is very easy.
Creating an Email Address in cPanel #
If you already have a cPanel email address setup, feel free to skip to the “Installing and Configuring WP SMTP Mail” steps
Initially, set up a valid email address in your hosting/cPanel account; then, configure your site to send mail via SMTP.
NOTE: Note that the email account you create in cPanel doesn’t need to receive mail, nor must cPanel service it. Instead, it serves only for authentication; therefore, adjust your ‘From Email’ in WP SMTP Mail to an address that can receive messages.
To create email in Cpanel #
1. First, login to cPanel
2. Then, click on the ‘Email Accounts‘ tool
3. Click the ‘+ Create‘ button
4. Fill in the details of the new address
i.e. username, password and optional settings, if required
5. Click the ‘+ Create‘ button at the bottom when you’re ready
6. Make sure to note the full address and password for later use.
For more detailed instructions on creating email addresses in cPanel, please see the following guide: How to Create Email Accounts in cPanel.
Installing and Configuring WP SMTP Mail #
Now that you have an email address created in cPanel, you can move on to the WordPress admin area of your website.
7. Login to your website’s admin area
(default login URL: yourdomain.com/wp-admin)8. From the left side menu, navigate to Plugins >> Add New Plugin)
9. Next, in the “Search plugins…” box, type “WP Mail SMTP” to quickly locate the desired plugin.
10. The first result will be ‘WP Mail SMTP by WPForms’, click ‘Install Now‘
11. Once installed, click the ‘Activate‘ button
12. Next, from the side menu, navigate to WP Mail SMTP >> Settings
13. Next, set the ‘From Email’ and ‘From Name’ fields to your desired address and name.
14. Following that, scroll down to the ‘Mailer’ options, where you’ll immediately find a list of popular mail providers to choose from.
15. Select the ‘Other SMTP‘ option.
16. Next, complete the SMTP information by entering the details below along with the previously noted email credentials from the guide.
SMTP SETTINGS
SMTP Host: localhost
Encryption: none
SMTP Port: 25
Authentication: ON
SMTP Username: your full email address
SMTP Password: password for this email account
Test SMTP Settings #
17. After reviewing your changes, scroll down to the bottom and finally click ‘Save Settings‘.
18. After completing your settings, proceed to WP Mail SMTP’s options on the left-hand side menu, then click ‘Tools‘ to send a test email, and finally verify your configuration.
19. Subsequently, after entering the recipient’s email address into the designated field, simply click ‘Send Email‘ to successfully complete your test.
20. That’s it! You’re done.
Your site now sends mail using your new email address through your hosting service, ensuring reliable, secure, and seamless delivery.
NOTE: Firstly, confirm that your domain includes an SPF record with WP Hosting’s SPF details (“include:_spf.wphosting.com.au”). Furthermore, refer to our guide ‘Adding an SPF record to your DNS Zone‘ for more detailed information.
Conclusion #
You can choose to use a different SMTP plugin if you like, however in our experience the plugin we’ve recommended, ‘WP Mail SMTP‘, continues to be reliable and performs well.
The same settings will work in other plugins as well, simply adjust your application according to your specific needs.
