What is SMTP?
SMTP is the system that sends email across the internet. Think of it as a post office for your messages. Your store needs it to send order emails and password resets.
By default OpenCart uses the simple "mail" method. Some emails then land in spam or never arrive. With SMTP, the store logs in to a real mailbox first. This is more trusted.
What you need
- An email account for your domain, such as
orders@yourdomain.com. - The mail server name, port number and password for it.
You will find these in your welcome email or in your control panel under email settings. You can also ask Hostvento support.
Steps
- Log in to the OpenCart admin area.
- Click System, then Settings.
- Click the blue Edit (pencil) button next to your store.
- Open the Mail tab.
- Set Mail Engine to SMTP.
- In SMTP Hostname, type your mail server name. If your server needs a secure link, type
ssl://in front of the name, for examplessl://mail.yourdomain.com. - In SMTP Username, type the full email address.
- In SMTP Password, type the mailbox password.
- In SMTP Port, type the port. It is usually 465 for secure SSL or 25 and 587 for others. Use the number from your mail details.
- Leave SMTP Timeout at its default, which is 5 seconds.
- Click the blue Save button at the top right.
Test it
- Open your store in a new window.
- Use the contact form, or make a test account.
- Check that the email arrives. Also look in the spam folder.
Tip: The labels on the Mail tab differ a little between OpenCart versions. In older versions SMTP fields are on the Mail tab with a "Mail Protocol" box instead of "Mail Engine".
If emails do not send
- Check the password for typing mistakes.
- Check that the hostname and port match.
- Ask Hostvento support if the port is open on your plan.
Quick recap
- SMTP sends mail through a real mailbox.
- Find the settings at System, Settings, Edit, Mail.
- Choose SMTP and fill in host, user, password and port.
- Save and send a test email.