When it comes to third party email providers, Gmail is one of the most popular options.

Despite the fact that it might take a bit long to configure, there is a whole list of reasons for favoring this method. It not only improves the deliverability time, but also drastically reduces the percentage of emails that end up in spam/junk boxes.

Like in other popular SMTP options, in case of Gmail, too, you get the chance to select between free and paid options.

However, the free version is quite limiting, with only 100 emails a day allowed, accumulating to 3000 monthly.

So, if you have a big number of newsletter subscribers or the reason you’re using third party email providers is to reach a larger scale, you’ll probably need to get the paid G suite version expanding the limitations depending on the pricing plan you choose.

If you eventually set your heart on Gmail, here is what you should do to start using it:

Configuring Gmail SMTP

1. Download and install the Post SMTP plugin.

The Post SMTP plugin, with an overall of 70.000+ active downloads and a rating of 5, is a great choice! So, to get started with Gmail SMTP, go ahead and download the plugin. One thing to note is that the plugin brilliantly “gets along” with other third party providers as well (such as Mailgun and Sendgrid), if you eventually decide you don’t wanna use Gmail.

2. “Start the Wizard.”

After the activation, just go to your WordPress dashboard and click “Start the wizard” in Post SMTP. It’s that easy.

3. Input the email addresses and your name.

You need to enter the email address you’ll be sending emails as, along with your name in the “Post SMTP Setup” field. Then click “Next.”

4. Enter an outgoing mail server hostname.

Here you have to enter the outgoing mail server name, such as smtp.gmail.com (the recommended option) or imap.gmail.com.

You might need to take a look here for the full list of mail server hostnames before you enter the outgoing mail server hostname.

5. Configure how the connection to the mail server is established.

To avoid facing blocked default ports, which is quite common among the most popular hosts, it’s a great option to use “Gmail API.”

In case of 10Web cloud hosting, as it is powered by Google Cloud, the 25th, 465th and 587th ports’ outbound connections are blocked and that’s where you’ll need the Gmail API. So, under the Connectivity Test section, select “Gmail API” and hit “Next.”

6. Create a new project with Google. Name the project.

Next open a new tab in order to create a new project with Google.

From console.developers.google.com you can login to your gmail (the same gmail you’ll be using for sending emails) and create a new project with Google, by clicking on the “Create Project” sign in the top right corner.

Then name the project on the Project Name field and click “Create.” 

7. “Enable APIs and Services.” -> “Gmail API” -> “Enable.”

First you should click “Enable APIs and Services” from the left-sided dashboard of your new project.Then you should click “Gmail API”  from the list of G Suite APIs.Finally, hit “Enable” from the top of the page.

8. Create credentials.

Then you should select “Credentials” from the left-side menu, click “Create credentials,” and pick “OAuth client ID” option.

9. Configure consent screen.

Next thing you’re gonna do is select “Configure consent screen” on the window that will open and input the necessary information.

Even though it’ll be better practice to fill in all the information, the minimum requirement is an application name, a privacy policy URL (the latter is to assure functionality) and at least one authorized domain.

10. Choose web application.

On the next page that opens you’ll have to enter an identifier as a name of the web application.

Afterwards, you’ll simply paste the “Authorized JavaScript origins” URL and the “Authorized redirect URIs” from the Postman wizard page (the top two lines on the Wizard page where you can head to from your WordPress dashboard) and hit “Create.”

11. Client ID and Secret.

On this next page you’ll be provided the two important elements. Copy the client ID and secret, go to the Post SMTP wizard page, and paste them into the Client ID and Client Secret fields respectively.Go to “Next” -> “Finish.”

12. Add your domain.

Go back to your Google Developer Console, choose Domain Verification field, and “Add your Domain” to the Google Developer Console.

13. Grant permission with Google.

Once again, go back to your WordPress dashboard’s Post SMTP section. You’ll need to allow your Gmail account access by “granting permission with Google” from the top right corner of the screen.

After a manual review (for security measures) your domain will be verified.During the review you’ll have to trust 10Web and click “Allow.”

14. Send a test email.

You’re finally here! Click “Send a Test Email” under the Actions field.Then check your mailbox and if you received the email, then everything was done just right.

From this point on, you’re using Gmail SMTP as a third-party email provider to assist your WordPress website. Congratulations!

Check out our articles for using Sendgrid or Mailgun instead if they fit you better. And please let us know in the comments if you run into any issues or have any question about Gmail.