How to Connect WP Mail SMTP and SendGrid for Beginners

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If you’re looking to improve the email deliverability of your WordPress site, connecting WP Mail SMTP with SendGrid is a great way to go. But don’t worry—this guide is designed for beginners with little to no tech experience. I’ll walk you through each step in detail, so you’ll have everything set up and working smoothly by the end. Let’s get started!

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What Is WP Mail SMTP and SendGrid?

Before diving into the setup, let’s quickly cover what WP Mail SMTP and SendGrid are.

• WP Mail SMTP: This is a WordPress plugin that helps ensure the emails sent from your website (like contact form submissions, order confirmations, etc.) actually reach your recipients’ inboxes instead of getting lost or ending up in spam.
• SendGrid: This is an email delivery service that works behind the scenes to send your emails. By connecting SendGrid to WP Mail SMTP, you’re using a reliable service to make sure your emails get delivered properly.

Now that you know the basics, let’s connect the two!

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Step 1: Install the WP Mail SMTP Plugin

1. Log in to your WordPress dashboard.
   • This is the control panel where you manage your WordPress site.
2. Go to Plugins > Add New.
   • This is where you can search for new plugins to add to your website.
3. Search for “WP Mail SMTP” in the search bar.
   • You’ll see a list of results. The plugin you want will likely be the first one.
4. Click “Install Now” next to WP Mail SMTP.
   • Wait a moment as WordPress installs the plugin.
5. Once installed, click “Activate.”
   • Now the plugin is active on your site and ready to be configured.

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Step 2: Create a SendGrid Account

1. Visit the SendGrid website: sendgrid.com
   • You’ll need to sign up for a free account. Click the “Start for Free” button to begin.
2. Fill out the registration form.
   • Enter your email, create a password, and follow the prompts to create your account.
3. Verify your email address.
   • SendGrid will send a confirmation email. Check your inbox and click the link to verify your email.
4. Complete the signup process.
   • You might need to answer a few more questions about how you plan to use SendGrid. Just follow the on-screen instructions.

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Step 3: Domain Authentication (The Easy and Hard Way)

Before SendGrid can send emails on your behalf, you need to authenticate your domain. This step ensures that your emails are legitimate and reduces the chances of them being marked as spam. There are two ways to do this:

The Easy Way: Authenticate via Email

1. Log in to your SendGrid account.
   • Navigate to the “Settings” menu on the left-hand side.
2. Click on “Sender Authentication.”
   • You’ll see options for Domain Authentication and Single Sender Verification.
3. Choose “Single Sender Verification.”
   • This is the easier option and involves less setup.
4. Click “Create a Sender Identity.”
   • You’ll need to provide a verified email address that will be used as the sender.
5. Fill in the required information.
   • Enter your name, email address, and other required details.
6. Check your email for the verification link.
   • Click the link in the email sent by SendGrid to verify your email address.
7. Once verified, you’re ready to go!
   • Now, SendGrid can send emails on your behalf using this verified email address.

The Hard Way: Authenticate via Domain (Recommended for Professional Use)

If you want to ensure the best email deliverability and avoid potential issues with email providers, it’s recommended to authenticate your entire domain. Here’s how:

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1. Log in to your SendGrid account.
   • Go to the “Settings” menu.
2. Click on “Sender Authentication.”
   • This is where you’ll set up domain authentication.
3. Select “Domain Authentication.”
   • You’ll need to enter some information about your domain.
4. Fill in the required details.
   • Choose your domain provider (e.g., GoDaddy, Bluehost, etc.) and enter your domain name.
5. SendGrid will provide you with DNS records.
   • These are special codes (CNAME, TXT records) that you’ll need to add to your domain’s DNS settings.
6. Log in to your domain registrar (where you bought your domain).
   • Navigate to the DNS settings or DNS management section.
7. Add the DNS records provided by SendGrid.
   • This step involves copying the records from SendGrid and pasting them into your domain’s DNS settings.
8. Wait for the records to propagate.
   • DNS changes can take a few hours to fully propagate, so be patient.
9. Return to SendGrid and click “Verify.”
   • Once your DNS records are set up, verify your domain in SendGrid.
10. You’re done!
    • Your domain is now authenticated, and SendGrid can send emails from your domain with improved deliverability.

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Step 4: Create a SendGrid API Key

1. Log in to your SendGrid account.
   • You’ll land on your SendGrid dashboard.
2. Navigate to “Settings” > “API Keys.”
   • You’ll find this in the menu on the left-hand side of the screen.
3. Click “Create API Key.”
   • You’ll see a button to create a new API key. Click it to start.
4. Name your API key.
   • This can be anything you like, such as “WP Mail SMTP Key.”
5. Choose “Full Access” as the permission.
   • This gives the key the ability to send emails through SendGrid.
6. Click “Create & View.”
   • Your API key will be generated.
7. Copy the API key.
   • Make sure to copy this key to a safe place, like a notepad on your computer. You’ll need it in the next step.

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Step 5: Configure WP Mail SMTP with SendGrid

1. Go back to your WordPress dashboard.
   • Navigate to WP Mail SMTP by clicking on WP Mail SMTP in the left-hand menu.
2. Go to the “Settings” tab.
   • This is where you’ll enter the details to connect WP Mail SMTP with SendGrid.
3. Choose “SendGrid” as your mailer.
   • You’ll see a list of different mailer options. Select “SendGrid.”
4. Paste the API key you copied earlier into the “API Key” field.
   • This is how WP Mail SMTP will connect to SendGrid.
5. Enter your “From Email” address.
   • This is the email address that your emails will appear to come from. Make sure this is an email you have access to.
6. Enter your “From Name.”
   • This is the name that will appear on the emails you send (like “Your Company Name”).
7. Click “Save Settings.”
   • Your changes will be saved, and WP Mail SMTP will now use SendGrid to send emails.

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Step 6: Send a Test Email

1. Still in WP Mail SMTP, go to the “Email Test” tab.
   • This feature allows you to test if everything is working correctly.
2. Enter an email address where you’d like to send the test email.
   • Use your own email address to check.
3. Click “Send Email.”
   • Wait a moment for the email to be sent.
4. Check your email inbox.
   • You should see a test email that confirms everything is working correctly.

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Troubleshooting Tips

• No Email Received? Double-check that you copied the API key correctly and that the email address you entered is correct.
• Email in Spam? Sometimes, test emails might land in the spam folder. If this happens, mark the email as “Not Spam” to improve future deliverability.

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Conclusion

Congratulations! You’ve successfully connected WP Mail SMTP with SendGrid. This setup will greatly improve the reliability of your WordPress emails, ensuring they reach your recipients’ inboxes. Whether you chose the easier email verification method or the more thorough domain authentication, your emails are now in good hands.

Still have questions or need more help? Don’t hesitate to reach out!