Send outbound emails using either the default WordPress mail function (wp_mail) or an external mail server (SMTP).
This documentation page will walk you through the SMTP setup. If you’d prefer to stick with wp_mail, please follow our wp_mail setup guide.
Starting the Mail Delivery Wizard
It’s recommended to complete the steps in the guide on accessing the Mail Delivery wizard, click the “Start Wizard” button to start setting up a mail type.
From your CRM dashboard, open the Mail Delivery wizard and click Start Wizard. You’ll be guided through the steps to add and configure your mail delivery method.
Set up the sender details
You can set the name and email address you want to appear in the “from” field of your emails.
For example:
- Send from name: Widget Company.
- Send from email: hello@widgetco.com.
For best results, use the same sender name and email you already use for your inbox or webmail account. This can help improve deliverability.
Set up the mail server selection
When choosing the mail server selection, you can pick your preferred type of mail server. To use SMTP, select Custom Mail Server (SMTP).
If you’ve ever set up Outlook, Thunderbird, or another email client, this will feel familiar. You’re essentially telling Jetpack CRM how to send emails through your provider.
Set up the SMTP details
To make this part of the setup easier, you can pick from a list of common email providers. Selecting one will auto-fill the SMTP address and port for you.
If your provider isn’t listed (or details don’t auto-populate), you’ll need to enter them manually:
- SMTP Address: e.g. smtp.live.com or auth.smtp.1and1.co.uk.
- SMTP Port: usually 587 (sometimes 465 or another).
- Username: typically your full email address.
- Password: your email password.
Where to find your SMTP Credentials
Most providers publish their SMTP details on support pages. A quick search for “[your provider] SMTP settings” is often the fastest way to find them.
If in doubt, contact your provider directly: since our support team can’t access your email account, they’re best placed to confirm the correct settings.
Once SMTP is configured, the setup rarely needs to change. Jetpack CRM even includes probing to automatically detect common misconfigurations (such as ports or addresses).
Validate settings and confirmation
When the above settings are entered, click Validate Settings. Jetpack CRM will attempt to send a test email using your credentials.
If successful, you’ll see a Confirmation screen and receive a test email.
If unsuccessful, double-check your details: most failures come from incorrect SMTP address or port.
If you’re stuck, confirm the settings with your provider.
Once validated, click Finish to save your mail delivery method. From the Mail Delivery settings page, you can also send further test emails, remove methods, or add new ones.
Jetpack CRM will now try to send an email using the settings you’ve entered. If everything goes well, you’ll get an email from your new SMTP mail delivery method, and you’ll see a “Confirmation” screen in the mail delivery wizard.
Special Notes and Recommendations
Sometimes it can be tricky to identify the correct SMTP settings for your mail provider, and some providers have strict server rules that limit how their email service can be used for tasks like CRM.
In most cases, the issue comes down to incorrect SMTP details; most often the SMTP address or port.
Jetpack CRM does attempt to address this automatically, but occasionally it requires some additional troubleshooting to get everything working. For the most accurate information, we recommend reaching out directly to your mail provider to confirm the correct settings, as our support team doesn’t have access to your email hosting account.
Here are some special notes about popular email providers:
Gmail and Google Workspace
As of mid-2022, Google no longer allows direct SMTP connections. If you use Gmail or Google Workspace, you’ll need to connect via OAuth instead.
AWS SES (Amazon Simple Email Service)
For high-volume sending or improved deliverability, consider AWS SES. We’ve used this successfully ourselves. See our AWS SES setup guide for details.
When things don’t work
Most SMTP issues come down to incorrect credentials or strict provider rules. Double-check your settings carefully, and don’t hesitate to reach out to your mail host for confirmation.