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Setup Custom SMTP

If you have an existing email infrastructure, you can use custom SMTP settings to send notifications. This guide covers setting up SMTP with Qivra Form Builder.

SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol) is the standard protocol for sending emails. Using custom SMTP allows you to:

BenefitDescription
Use existing emailLeverage your current email provider
Control deliverabilityManage your own sending reputation
No third-partyKeep everything in your infrastructure
ProviderHostPort
Gmailsmtp.gmail.com587
Outlook/Office 365smtp.office365.com587
Amazon SESemail-smtp.region.amazonaws.com587
SendGridsmtp.sendgrid.net587
Mailgunsmtp.mailgun.org587

Before setting up SMTP:

  1. Have SMTP credentials ready
  2. Know your SMTP server address
  3. Know the port number
  4. Have authentication credentials
  1. Enable 2-factor authentication
  2. Generate an App Password:
    • Go to Google Account settings
    • Security > App passwords
    • Generate new password for “Mail”
  3. Use these settings:
SettingValue
Hostsmtp.gmail.com
Port587
UsernameYour Gmail address
PasswordApp Password (not your Gmail password)
SettingValue
Hostsmtp.office365.com
Port587
UsernameYour email address
PasswordYour password
SettingValue
Hostemail-smtp.[region].amazonaws.com
Port587
UsernameSMTP username from AWS
PasswordSMTP password from AWS
SettingValue
Hostsmtp.sendgrid.net
Port587
Usernameapikey
PasswordYour SendGrid API key
  1. Go to Qivra Form Builder
  2. Click Settings in sidebar
  3. Go to Providers section
  1. Find SMTP in the provider list
  2. Click to select it

Fill in all required fields:

FieldDescriptionExample
HostSMTP server addresssmtp.gmail.com
PortServer port587
UsernameAuthentication usernameyour@email.com
PasswordAuthentication passwordyour-password
From EmailSender email addressyour@email.com
From NameDisplay nameYour Store Name
SettingOptionsRecommendation
EncryptionNone, SSL, TLSTLS (STARTTLS)
AuthenticationYes/NoYes
  1. Click Test & Save
  2. Enter a test email address
  3. Check if email arrives
  4. Save if successful
PortUse CaseSecurity
25Standard SMTPOften blocked
465SMTP over SSLLegacy SSL
587SMTP with STARTTLSRecommended
2525AlternativeWhen 587 blocked
OptionDescription
NoneUnencrypted (not recommended)
SSL/TLSEncrypted connection
STARTTLSUpgrade to TLS (recommended)

Before configuring in Qivra, test your SMTP:

  1. Use an SMTP testing tool
  2. Or test via telnet:
Terminal window
telnet smtp.example.com 587
  1. Click Test Connection
  2. Review any error messages
  3. Fix issues and retry
CauseSolution
Wrong hostVerify SMTP server address
Blocked portTry alternative port (2525)
FirewallAllow outbound SMTP traffic
CauseSolution
Wrong credentialsDouble-check username/password
App password neededGenerate app-specific password
2FA enabledUse app password, not account password
CauseSolution
Rate limitsCheck provider sending limits
From email mismatchUse same email as SMTP account
Spam filtersCheck content for spam triggers
  • Gmail account
  • 2-Factor Authentication enabled
  • App Password generated
  1. Enable 2FA

    • Go to Google Account > Security
    • Enable 2-Step Verification
  2. Generate App Password

    • Security > App passwords
    • Select “Mail” and “Other”
    • Copy the 16-character password
  3. Configure in Qivra

    • Host: smtp.gmail.com
    • Port: 587
    • Username: your@gmail.com
    • Password: [App Password]
LimitFreeGoogle Workspace
Daily limit5002,000
  • Use app-specific passwords when available
  • Don’t use your main account password
  • Rotate passwords periodically
  • Never commit credentials to code
  • Always use TLS/SSL encryption
  • Avoid unencrypted connections
  • Keep SMTP credentials secure
MetricDescription
Delivery rate% of emails delivered
Bounce rate% of emails rejected
Response timeSMTP server response

Check your provider’s dashboard for:

  • Sending statistics
  • Bounce reports
  • Reputation score
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