2 minutes reading time (400 words)

Send emails from WordPress using SendGrid with the free WP Mail SMTP plugin

Guides

Wednesday, 19 May 2021

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How to configure WordPress email settings using SendGrid with the free WP Mail SMTP plugin. Including steps for updating your DNS SPF record and configuring DKIM for email authentication so your WordPress emails don't go into spam.

Before you begin

Before you begin you'll need to complete the following steps

1 Register for a free SendGrid account

https://signup.sendgrid.com

A free SendGrid account will allow you to send up to 100 emails a day, if you need to send more emails you'll need to upgrade to one of the paid SendGrid plans

2 Set up SendGrid Domain Authentication

Set up Domain Authentication in SendGrid using DKIM and SPF
https://techlabs.blog/categories/guides/set-up-domain-authentication-in-sendgrid-using-dkim-and-spf

3 Create a SendGrid API Key

Create an API key in SendGrid for sending SMTP email
https://techlabs.blog/categories/guides/create-an-api-key-in-sendgrid-for-sending-smtp-email

4 Update your DNS SPF Record

You'll need to update your DNS SPF record to include SendGrid

Each SendGrid account has a unique SPF record that uses the value that was created when setting up domain authentication

e.g. u261nnnn.wl0nn.sendgrid.net -all

Your DNS SPF record should include everything that sends emails as your domain. In this example the SPF record includes both SendGrid and Office 365

"v=spf1 include:spf.protection.outlook.com u261nnnn.wl0nn.sendgrid.net -all"

Completing the above steps means that emails you send from WordPress will pass SPF and DKIM email security checks, this will help prevent your WordPress emails from going into the spam folder.