EN 
FR 
ES 
Introduction
On a WordPress site, sending reliable emails is a key part of the user experience. Whether it's form confirmations, order notifications, password resets or transactional messages, every email needs to arrive quickly... and in the inbox, not in the spam folder.
Unfortunately, sending e-mails via the native WordPress function (PHP mail) is often unstable and unreliable, especially on shared hosting. The result: messages that don't arrive, frustrated users and a loss of credibility for your site.
This is where MandrillMailchimp's transactional SMTP service, renowned for its power, deliverability and ability to handle high e-mail volumes. By combining it with WPMasterToolKitWith this simple, high-performance solution, perfectly integrated with WordPress, you can send all your e-mails professionally.
In this tutorial, we'll show you how to configure Mandrill as SMTP server in WordPress with WPMasterToolKitThis step-by-step guide ensures that all e-mails from your site are sent reliably, securely and traceably.
What is Mandrill?
Mandrill is a transactional e-mail API service offered by Mailchimp. It is specially designed for sending automated, one-to-one e-mails, such as password resets, order confirmations or any other transactional notification, with an excellent deliverability rate.
- Cost : Mandrill offers a free trial of sending up to 500 e-mails. However, this free plan limits delivery to addresses belonging to your verified domain. Prices then vary according to your volume of mailings, in the form of monthly e-mail packages.
- Shipping address (From Email) : To use Mandrill, you must use an e-mail address linked to your verified domain (e.g. :
contact@votredomaine.com). - In a nutshell: Mandrill is an excellent solution for companies needing a reliable transactional e-mailing system, with detailed statistics and high deliverability.
Note: To find out more about our services SMTP compatible mailers, consult the complete guide to mailers supported by WPMasterToolKit.
Setting up your Mandrill account
To start using Mandrillyou must first have an account. Mailchimpbecause Mandrill is part of the Mailchimp. Go to the Transactional Email Mailchimp to create your account.
If you already have a Mailchimp account, simply log in to your dashboard. Mandrill is proposed as add-on module for users of Mailchimp.
Once you have logged in to your Mailchimp account, go to Automations " Transactional Emailthen click on the Launch App to open the Mandrill interface.
You will then be redirected to your account interface. Mandrill.
If you haven't already done so, you'll need to subscribe to a Mandrill pay offer to send e-mails beyond the limits of demo mode.
Authorize your domain
Before you can send e-mails with Mandrillyou must check that you are the owner of the shipping area. This step consists of adding DNS to your domain and improve the deliverability of your e-mails.
Add your sending domain
In the Mandrill dashboard, a notification will indicate that your sending domain needs to be configured.
Click on the Set up your sending domain to start the procedure.
Then enter your domain name in the appropriate field, then click on the + Add to continue.
You can also access this configuration by going to Settings ➀tab, then click on the Domains ➁ to manage your mailing domains.
On page Sending Domainsenter your domain name in the field provided, then click on the + Add.
Check your domain
Once you've added your domain, you'll need to confirm that you're the owner.
To do so, click on View details below the column Verified Domain.
In the window that appears, Mandrill will suggest two methods of verification:
add records DNS in your domain configuration or validation by e-mail.
If you choose the TXT recordingMandrill will provide you with a unique verification code which you'll need to add to your domain's DNS settings.
You can also enter a e-mail address associated with your domainand Mandrill will send you a verification link at this address.
Configuring DNS records
In addition to the domain verification record, you also need to configure the DKIM and DMARC to ensure proper authentication of your e-mails.
To add recordings DKIMclick on View details next to the DKIM Settings of your domain.
Mandrill will provide you with two CNAME records for the DKIM (for example mte1._domainkey and mte2._domainkey), which you'll need to add to your domain's DNS settings.
Then click on View details below the column DMARC Status to access the recording DMARC.
In the window that appears, you'll find the DMARC policy required to authenticate your domain. You will need to add these DNS records in your domain's DNS configuration.
Note: We provide a detailed guide on how to add recordings. DNS at major registrars. See the tutorial WPMasterToolKit dedicated to adding recordings DNS for mailer configuration SMTP.
Once you have added the records, click on the Test DNS Settings to check that everything is correctly configured.
If your DNS settings are properly propagated, you should see the status Authenticated in the Authentication Status.
However, you can continue configuration even if this status is not yet displayed, as DNS propagation may take some time.
Note: DNS propagation can take up to 48 hours.
Create your API key
To connect Mandrill to WPMasterToolKityou need to generate a API key.
From your Mandrill dashboard, go to Settings ➀then click on the SMTP & API Info ➁.
If no API key yet exists, you'll see the message You don't have any API keys.
Then click on the + Add API Key to create one.
After the creation of API keyA window will appear with important information about your new key. Continue the procedure.
Note: once this window is closed, you will no longer be able to display the API key. So remember to keep it in a safe place so you can use it again if necessary.
Configure WPMasterToolKit
Now that your Mandrill account is set up and you have your API keyyou can connect Mandrill to WPMasterToolKit for sending emails from WordPress.
Before you start, make sure that the WPMasterToolKit is installed and activated.
Once the plugin is activated, go to WPMasterToolKit " Settingstab, then open the Email to access e-mail settings.
From Email (Shipping address)
Visit From Email is the address from which e-mails from your site will be sent.
It must belong to the domain you have checked in Mandrill.
For example, if you have validated the example.comyour shipping address must be of the following type contact@example.com or noreply@example.com.
If you wish to use the same address for the entire site, activate the Force From Email.
This will override settings defined elsewhere in WordPress and ensure consistency for all outgoing emails.
Note: to find out more, consult the guide WPMasterToolKit explaining how the Force From Email.
By default, the From Name corresponds to the name of your site, but you can modify it to display the text of your choice as the sender's name in the recipients' inbox.
You can also activate the Force From Name to apply this name to all e-mails sent from your site.
Mailer
In the Mailerselect Mandrill as a mailing service.
Once Mandrill has been selected, new configuration options will appear, including the field API Key.
API key
Simply stick the API key that you copied from your Mandrill account into the API Key.
Send a test e-mail
Note: The verification of your Mandrill domain and the configuration of your DNS records must be correctly completed before you can send e-mails.
Once you have saved your settings, we strongly recommend that you send a test e-mail to check that everything is working properly.
To do so, go to WPMasterToolKit " Toolstab, then open the Email Test.
Email Test tab
In the Send ToEnter an e-mail address to which you have access.
We recommend that you leave the HTML enabled, unless you wish to send plain text e-mails only.
Note: if you have configured multiple SMTP connections, you can choose between your main connection and other connections when sending the test e-mail.
Then click on the Send Email to send your test message.
Conclusion
You have now configured Mandrill as a server SMTP in WPMasterToolKit and secure sending of emails from your WordPress site thanks to full authentication (domain, DKIM, DMARC and API key).
This configuration allows you to benefit from high deliverability, reliable delivery and precise tracking of your transactional e-mails.
Whether for forms, order confirmations, notifications or password resets, your messages are now sent via a professional infrastructure, far more powerful than WordPress' native mail function.
Feel free to use the Email Test from WPMasterToolKit to regularly check that everything's running smoothly, and to consult dispatch logs to quickly diagnose any problems.
With Mandrill and WPMasterToolKitWith this robust, scalable solution, you can ensure that every e-mail from your site reaches its destination.
