WordPress includes built-in functionality for sending email notifications and messages, and it primarily handles email communications through the wp_mail() function. This function is part of the WordPress core and serves as the foundation for delivering many forms of email, such as comment notifications, password reset emails, and other website-to-user communication. Here’s how WordPress uses wp_mail() to send email:
WordPress plugins, themes, and core components can send email using the wp_mail() function. They pass the function relevant parameters such as the recipient’s email address, subject, message content, and other headers.
$to = 'recipient@example.com';
$subject = 'Your Subject Here';
$message = 'Your message content goes here.';
$headers = 'From: Your Name <yourname@example.com>';
wp_mail($to, $subject, $message, $headers);
Preparation:
When wp_mail() is called, it prepares the email by formatting the headers and content, including the sender’s name and email address. It also checks for any additional headers provided, such as “Reply-To” or “CC” (Carbon Copy).
Sending:
wp_mail() uses the PHPMailer class to send the email. This class provides a consistent and reliable method for sending emails using PHP. It can use different methods, such as the PHP mail() function or an SMTP server, depending on your server’s configuration and the settings specified in WordPress.
Hooks and Filters:
WordPress includes hooks and filters that developers can use to personalize the email sending process. They can, for example, update the email text or headers before sending, or change the sending mechanism to utilize SMTP instead of the default mail() function.
Email Delivery:
The email is delivered to the recipient’s email server, which processes and directs it to the recipient’s inbox.
It is important to note that the dependability of email delivery may be affected by the hosting environment and server setup. Some web hosting providers may have limits or configurations that affect email delivery, therefore it’s critical to verify with your hosting provider to ensure adequate email operation.
In circumstances when email delivery is crucial, you can also setup WordPress to send emails using an SMTP server using SMTP settings(WordPress send email). This can provide you more control and reliability over email delivery, which is especially useful when dealing with big email volumes or specialized email deliverability requirements.
Depending on your unique needs and preferences, you can use plugins like “WP Mail SMTP” or declare SMTP settings in your wp-config.php file to set up SMTP email in WordPress.