eStore – request for SMTP relay option

[morley]

It seems that no matter the situation, we always have a few automated receipt e-mails here and there which slip through the cracks and don’t make it to their receivers. We’re on a VPS with a dedicated IP, SPF records set up (in the root account) correctly to pass, not on any blacklists (according to mxtoolbox.com/blacklists.aspx and blacklistmaster.com), and our IP scores 100 according to senderscore.org. Despite all this, there are still some messages that don’t make it. Would it be possible for you guys to include the option to use some kind of relay to an smtp server? Using our @domain.com addresses is good for branding, but if using a gmail address would ensure receipt every time, that would be preferable. I noticed there are other plugins which allow smtp sending, but I don’t know which ones, if any, are compatible with eStore. It seems a lot of other users of the plugin have similar issues, so I’m sure something like this would be well received. Thanks for your help.

[wzp]

I probably don’t have to refer you to the dozens of existing threads regarding this subject already. Bottom line; getting past spam filters is like a nuclear arms race. As for the use of SMTP relays, that’s one of the “oldest tricks in the book,” and you will be forever spending more and more time finding new relays, than running your business. The best way to ensure your messages get through is to encourage your customers to whitelist your email address.

Even governments battle spam filters. In the US, the government is trying to “force” cellphone users to accept public service announcements, like “Amber Alerts,” by requiring cellphone makers to prevent users from blocking them.

[morley]

Those are fair points. We do encourage customers to whitelist the address, but some filters are so tight that the messages aren’t even routed to users’ spam boxes; they’re stopped before that point. Also, the process of whitelisting can be tricky for some types of mail exchange programs, and some people don’t want to be bothered. I’d like to give SMTP a go just to see if it makes any difference. So, if I change the protocol variable in the eStore_email.php file to smtp and fill in the server, user, and password details, that would accomplish the goal?

var $protocol = "mail"; // mail/sendmail/smtp

var $smtp_host = ""; // SMTP Server. Example: mail.earthlink.net

var $smtp_user = ""; // SMTP Username

var $smtp_pass = ""; // SMTP Password

var $smtp_port = "25"; // SMTP Port

var $smtp_timeout = 5; // SMTP Timeout in seconds

[admin]

Use the SMPT plugin mentioned in the following post (it will be easier and robust as all emails sent from your WordPress environment will use that configuration):

https://support.tipsandtricks-hq.com/forums/topic/not-receiving-emails-even-though-the-plugin-sent-the-email

[morley]

I actually tried setting up WP Easy SMTP, but it seemed to conflict with Contact Form 7, which is also in use on the site. Is there any reason setting it from within the eStore_email.php file wouldn’t work? I’d also prefer to keep the number of plugins running to a minimum for performance reasons. Thanks.

[admin]

Setting it up in eStore would work but it requires the tweak you mentioned above. I try not to suggest PHP code tweaks if it can be avoided.

The code change you suggested above should be good. You will just need to uncheck the “Use WordPress Mailing System” option from eStore Settings -> Email Settings area.

[Author]

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