# SMTP.com

Source: https://catalystgroup.gg/docs/email-delivery/mailer-smtp-com/
Updated: 2026-10-19 · By Duane Garner

Connect CRM-NG SMTP to SMTP.com with an API key and a sender (channel) name, and verify your sending domain.

This guide shows you how to send your WordPress email through SMTP.com, a long-running transactional email provider. It suits businesses that want a dedicated sending service with support staff behind it. SMTP.com usually offers a free trial; check its site for the current terms.

 

CRM-NG SMTP sends to SMTP.com's API with two values: an **API key** and a **sender name**. SMTP.com calls a sender a "channel": a named sending stream with its own settings and reports. Both values are required.

 

## Before you start

 
- An SMTP.com account (sign up at `https://www.smtp.com/`). New accounts may go through a short review before they can send.
- A domain you control, with access to its DNS records.
- Administrator access to your WordPress site.

 

## Step 1: Verify your sending domain

 
1. Sign in to SMTP.com
  Go to `https://my.smtp.com/` and sign in.
2. Find domain settings
  Look for the domain or sender authentication page in your account settings (SMTP.com has used names such as **Domains** and **Sender authentication**).
3. Add your domain
  Enter the domain you will send from and copy the DNS records SMTP.com shows, usually for SPF and DKIM.
4. Publish the records
  Add them at your DNS provider exactly as shown, then return and run the check until the domain shows as verified.

 

See [Adding DNS records](https://catalystgroup.gg/docs/email-delivery/dns-records/) if you are new to DNS.

 

## Step 2: Find your sender (channel) name

 
1. Open the channels page
  In your account, open **Senders** or **Channels** (the plugin's **Get Sender Name** link goes to `https://my.smtp.com/account?tab=manage_channels`).
2. Pick or create a sender
  Use your existing sender or create a new one for the website. A separate sender keeps website mail apart in your reports.
3. Copy its name exactly
  Copy the sender's name as SMTP.com shows it. Spelling and capital letters must match.

 

## Step 3: Create an API key

 
1. Open the API keys page
  Open **API Keys** in your account (the plugin's **Get API Key** link goes to `https://my.smtp.com/account?tab=manage_api_keys`).
2. Create a key
  Create a new key for the website, name it, and copy it.

 

## Step 4: Connect in CRM-NG SMTP

 
1. Choose the mailer
  In WordPress, open **CRM-NG SMTP → Settings → General** and set **Mailer** to **SMTP.com**.
2. Paste the key
  Paste your key into **API Key**.
3. Enter the sender
  Type the channel name into **Sender Name**.
4. Set the From address
  Set **From Email** to an address on your verified domain and set **From Name**. Tick **Force From Email** if other plugins change the sender.
5. Save
  Press **Save Settings**. The mailer is only complete when both **API Key** and **Sender Name** are filled in.

 

## Send a test email

 

Open **CRM-NG SMTP → Tools → Email Test**, enter your address in **Send To**, and press **Send Email**. The domain check on the test page looks for `smtp.com` in your SPF record. You can also follow the message in SMTP.com's reports for that sender. See [Sending a test email](https://catalystgroup.gg/docs/email-delivery/send-a-test-email/).

 

## Troubleshooting

 
- The sender name does not match a channel in your account: [Channel not found](https://catalystgroup.gg/docs/email-delivery/error-smtp-com-channel-not-found/)
- The key is wrong, deleted or not active: [Invalid API key](https://catalystgroup.gg/docs/email-delivery/error-invalid-api-key/) and [401 Unauthorized or Forbidden](https://catalystgroup.gg/docs/email-delivery/error-401-unauthorized-or-forbidden/)
- Your account is under review or blocked: [Account blocked](https://catalystgroup.gg/docs/email-delivery/error-account-blocked/)
- You reached your plan's limit: [Email sending limit reached](https://catalystgroup.gg/docs/email-delivery/error-email-sending-limit/)
- The server cannot reach SMTP.com: [cURL error](https://catalystgroup.gg/docs/email-delivery/error-curl-error/)
- Mail arrives in spam: [Emails landing in spam](https://catalystgroup.gg/docs/email-delivery/emails-landing-in-spam/)

 

## Related

 
- [Choosing a mail service](https://catalystgroup.gg/docs/email-delivery/choose-a-mailer/)
- [Adding DNS records: SPF, DKIM and DMARC](https://catalystgroup.gg/docs/email-delivery/dns-records/)
- [Verifying your DNS records](https://catalystgroup.gg/docs/email-delivery/verify-dns-records/)
- [Sender name, address and the Force settings](https://catalystgroup.gg/docs/email-delivery/sender-name-and-address/)
- [Debug events](https://catalystgroup.gg/docs/email-delivery/debug-events/)