How to Set Up Amazon SES in WP Mail SMTP

Are you facing issues with email notification form your WordPress site? Using SMTP(Simple Mail Transfer Protocol) can fix the email deliverability issues on your site.

If you don’t connect your website with SMTP then you must set up SMTP on your site.

WP Mail SMTP is the best WordPress plugin for connecting SMTP. I recommend this post on how to set up WP Mail SMTP into WordPress site.

In this tutorial, ill help you out how to set up Amazon SES in WP Mail SMTP for high email deliverability.

Why We Need Amazon SES?

By default, WordPress uses PHP mail() function to send WordPress emails generated by contact forms like WPForms.

Many WordPress hosting services disable PHP mail function for their security purpose.

That’s where SMTP WordPress plugin came in.

There are a lot of ways to set up WP Mail SMTP on your WordPress site.

But!

You can send a limited number of mails only and you’ll stop receiving notification.

That’s why we need Amazon SES.

Amazon SES is a cost-effective SMTP and reliable high inbox delivery and email deliverability.

NOTE: You must have an SSL certificate on your WordPress website before its use.

How to Set Up Amazon SES in WP Mail SMTP?

First, we need an AWS account to set up WP Mail SMTP. If you already have an AWS account just log in.

Otherwise, you need to sign up for a free AWS account here.

After creating your AWS account you have to set your region. If it does not determine your exact region you have to choose the closest one near your location.

Once you are done creating an Amazon web server account next you have to create an IAM user.

Follow the link to open the AWA IAM Users page.

After that click, the button “Add User” on your dashboard.

Next, create a new user and name it whichever you want. And I recommend using the following name format:

yourdomain_wpmailsmtp

For example, for wptts.com it would be:

wptts_wpmailsmtp

Then, check Programmatic Access from the access type.

Then click on the Next: Permissions button to next the step.

Once you click the button then you have to set IAM user setting permissions.

Click the “Attach existing policies directly” from the top boxes.

Then type “AmazonSESFullAccess” on the search bar. Then you can see the result after that check the box.

Once you are done click the “Next: Tags” button.

Skip the next page and click the Next: Review button.

After that review your user details as you have given before. Then click the create user button.

Now you’ll see the success message on your screen. And you can see the Access key ID and Secret Access Key for your user.

By default, AWS has created a sandbox mode (Testing Mode).

You can’t able to send emails in the sandbox mode. To enable the feature you have to switch to production mode.

First, you’ll need to click this link and create a request with Amazon Web Services.

Then make sure the Service limit increase box is selected.

Fill the case classification form these details are used to avoid spam and spammers.

Then fill the case description and click the submit button.

Ensure you are giving proper case descriptions about the uses of Amazon. Otherwise, maybe Amazon can reject your application.

After that Amazon review your request and reply within one business day.

Now you can setup WP Mail SMTP and Amazon SES mailer.

Set Up Amazon SES in WP Mail SMTP

Go to WordPress dashboard Plugins -> Add New and search WP Mail SMTP in the search bar.

Once you installed the WP Mail SMTP plugin then click the activate the button.

Then go to the WP Mail SMTP settings page and enter the From Email and name. I recommend using business mail for better email deliverability.

After that scroll down to the Mailer section and select the Amazon SES.

You must have a WP Mail SMTP pro version to use Amazon SES.

After that, a new section will come titled Amazon SES.

Now you have to add access keys ID and Secret Access Key you created in your Amazon AWS account earlier.

Copy the access keys and paste them in respective fields.

Now you can check the Region field. It’s automatically selected region based on your hosting server location. Reconfirm its correct or not, if it does not match your location enter manually your region.

Then click save settings.

Once you click the button, then you have to add your business mail before we entered in from mail at WP Mail SMTP settings.

That all you set up Amazon SES as your WordPress SMTP. You can check your SMTP setting working properly or not.

You can send test mail yourself its working or not.

Make sure you’re entering the correct email address and click the send email button.

Check the inbox and you got an email.

You’re done.

Get WP Mail SMTP Now

You can get the premium version of WP Mail SMTP.

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