Amazon SES Post SMTP Extension

What is Amazon SES ?

Configuring an Amazon AWS Account ?

Creating an IAM User

Once you’ve created an account in Amazon Web Services, the next step is to set up an IAM User. This will provide you with access keys needed later.

You will need to open the https://us-east-1.console.aws.amazon.com/iamv2/home#/users

Click the Add user Button.

After Clicking the Add user, Setup the User Name Field.

Then for Select AWS credential type, check the Access key – Programmatic access box.

Next, you’ll be setting permissions for this new user. From the top row of boxes, select Attach existing policies directly.

Type AmazonSESFullAccess into the search bar. This should leave only one result, named AmazonSESFullAccess. Be sure to check the box next to this option so that this permission is added for the user.

We’ll skip the next page, so you can also click the Next: Review button.

On the next page, you’ll be shown all the details you’ve chosen for this user. You can check again that everything looks correct, then click the Create user button.

AWS should now display a success message. You’ll also see an Access key ID and Secret access key for your user. Be sure to take a moment to copy these somewhere safe.

AWS Switching to Production Mode

All Amazon SES accounts are, by default, put in Sandbox Mode. This is very limiting, as it means that your account has a low monthly sending quota and will only be allowed to send emails to email addresses verified through Amazon.

In this step, we’ll show you how to move from Sandbox Mode to Production Mode so you can increase your monthly sending quota and send emails to anyone.

Select Your Region

Once you’ve accessed the dashboard, you’ll need to select your region by clicking the Select a Region dropdown and locating your region in the dropdown list.

After that you’ve selected a region, you can proceed to request an increase for your monthly email quota.

Request a Quota Increase

To request an increase to your monthly email limit, click on the AWS services option in the sidebar menu.

Type Amazon Simple Email Service into the search bar.

On the next, you’ll initiate a request to increase your sending quota. To do this, start by selecting the multiple-choice option next to Sending quota.

After selecting sending quota, Click on the Request quota increase button.

A Case of Review form will appear that you’ll need to review and fill out. This is an main step, as it’s what Amazon uses to prevent spammers from using their system. Within this form, you’re essentially proving to Amazon SES that your site will be sending emails for legitimate purposes.

To complete this form, enter your desired daily sending quota in the Change quota value section. For this example, we’ll request a daily sending quota of 500 emails.

After added a quota value, go ahead and click the Request button to submit the form.

Setting Up POST SMTP

While you’re waiting for AWS to review your case submission, you can set up POST SMTP on your WordPress site.

Once you’ve installed and activated the plugin, go to POST SMTP » Dashboard » Start the wizard.

You have to select none, as you are not suppose to import data.

Within the Sender details page, you’ll see a From Name and Email option. For the From Email, you can enter in any valid email address.

This is the Outgoing (SMTP) Mail Server, or Mail Submission Agent (MSA), which Postman delegates mail delivery to. This server is specific to your email account, and if you don’t know what to use, ask your email service provider.

Note: That many WordPress hosts, such as GoDaddy, Bluehost and Dreamhost, require that you use their mail accounts with their mail servers, and prevent you from using others.

Next, you’ll need to select the Amazon SES option.

Now, You’ve chosen the Amazon SES, you should see a new section appear titled Amazon SES. Here, you’ll need to add the access keys you created in your AWS account earlier. Go ahead and copy in the Access Key ID and Secret Access Key, and Region Host, then click the Next  button.

Select a notify service to notify you when an email is failed to delivered, and move on to the Next button.

You are done ! Click Finish to save these settings, then, Send yourself a Test Email to make sure everything is working!

Verify a Domain

By verifying a domain in Amazon SES, you’ll be able to use any email address under that verified domain, without having to verify each email address individually.

To verify a domain, be sure to select the Verify Domain option. Then, in the Please enter a domain box, go ahead and add your domain. We’ll be using example.com as an example.

Once you’ve write your domain, click the Create Identity  button to generate DNS records for your domain.

As required by Amazon, This will generate three different CNAME records. you’ll need to add all three Name and Value pairs to your domain’s DNS settings to complete the verification process.

Verify an Email Address

To verify a specific email address, be sure to select the Verify Email Address option. Go ahead and add in your email address to the Please enter a valid email address field and click the Create Identity button.

Then, you’ll be shown a notice asking you to check your email’s inbox for a verification email.

After you’ve successfully verified your email, you can return to your settings and refresh the page. Any verified emails should be displayed.

Send a Test Email

To send a test email, navigate to POST SMTP » Dashboard and open up the Send a Test Email link.

Your POST SMTP settings are ready and any From Emails have been verified, it’s important to send a test email to ensure that everything is working properly.

Once you’ve configured your test email settings, click the Send Email button to send your test email.

If the test email has been sent successfully, you’ll see a success message appear on the page.

After, you’ll need to check your inbox to confirm that you’ve received your test email via Amazon SES.