When someone submits a form on your WordPress site – whether it’s a contact inquiry, service request, or newsletter signup – you want to know immediately. But what happens if you never get notified? Missed leads, lost opportunities, and poor user experience.
This guide will walk you through how to get email notifications every time someone submits a form on your WordPress website. We’ll cover the most reliable methods using popular form plugins, set up tips, troubleshooting advice, and ways to ensure notifications never land in spam.
Table Of Contents
Why Form Submission Notifications Matter (Explained Simply)
Imagine someone visits your website and fills out a form to ask for a quote or more information. They’re ready to work with you. But hours or even days go by – and you never knew they submitted the form because you didn’t get a notification. You miss the chance to reply, and the visitor leaves your site for a competitor.
This is exactly why form submission notifications are important. They help you:
- Stay updated instantly: You’ll get an email right after someone submits the form.
- Respond faster: Quick replies show professionalism and increase your chances of turning visitors into customers.
- Build trust with your audience: People expect fast communication. If you take too long, they might think you don’t care.
- Track submissions easily: Notifications help you see which forms are getting attention, so you can measure what’s working.
Whether you run a blog, sell products, or offer services, form notifications help you stay connected and organized.
1. Use a WordPress Form Plugin That Sends Notifications
WordPress doesn’t have a built-in contact form, so you’ll need a plugin. Thankfully, many free and paid form plugins make it easy to set up and manage form notifications.
Here’s a quick look at some popular plugins and whether they support email alerts:
| Plugin Name | Free Version Available | Email Notification Feature |
| WPForms | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Contact Form 7 | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Gravity Forms | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
| Formidable Forms | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Ninja Forms | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
Most beginners use either WPForms or Contact Form 7. Let’s walk through how to set up notifications with both.
2. How to Set Up Email Notifications in WPForms (Step-by-Step)
WPForms is a beginner-friendly plugin that works with a simple drag-and-drop interface.
Step 1: Install the Plugin
- Go to your WordPress dashboard.
- Click on Plugins > Add New.
- Search for WPForms, then install and activate it.
Step 2: Create a Form
- Go to WPForms > Add New.
- Choose a ready-made template, like Simple Contact Form.
Step 3: Set Up Email Notifications
- In the form builder, click on Settings > Notifications.
- You’ll see fields like:
- Send To Email Address: Enter the email where you want to receive notifications (e.g., your business email).
- Email Subject Line: You can customize this (e.g., “New Inquiry from Website”).
- Email Message: This shows the information submitted in the form.
Step 4: Save and Embed the Form
- Click the Save button.
- Add the form to your page using the WPForms block or shortcode.
Bonus Tip:
If you have a team, you can add multiple email addresses separated by commas to send alerts to more people.
3. How to Set Up Notifications in Contact Form 7
Contact Form 7 is also a popular plugin, especially among developers. It’s not as visual, but it works well once set up correctly.
Step 1: Install and Activate Contact Form 7
- From your WordPress dashboard, go to Plugins > Add New.
- Search for Contact Form 7, install, and activate it.
Step 2: Edit Your Form
- Go to Contact > Contact Forms.
- Choose the form you want to edit.
Step 3: Configure Email Settings
- Switch to the Mail tab.
- Set the To field to your preferred email address (e.g., you@example.com).
- Adjust the Subject, From, and Message Body as needed.
Step 4: Test It
- Visit your form on your website.
- Submit a test message to see if you receive the email.
What to Do if You Don’t Get Emails:
- Check your spam or junk folder.
- Make sure the From email is a valid address from your domain (e.g., admin@yourdomain.com). Emails from free addresses like Gmail may be blocked.
4. Use SMTP to Fix Email Delivery Problems
Sometimes, form notification emails don’t reach you because WordPress uses PHP mail, which is often blocked by email providers.
To fix this, you should install an SMTP plugin. SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol) helps send emails in a more reliable and authenticated way.
Popular SMTP Plugins:
- WP Mail SMTP by WPForms
- Post SMTP Mailer/Email Log
- Easy WP SMTP
How to Set Up WP Mail SMTP:
- Go to Plugins > Add New and install WP Mail SMTP.
- Choose a mail service like Gmail, Sendinblue, or Mailgun.
- Follow the setup wizard to connect your email provider.
- Send a test email to confirm everything works.
This ensures your form notifications don’t get lost or sent to spam.
5. Send a Confirmation Email to Users (Auto-Reply)
Besides sending yourself an alert, you might want to send a confirmation to the person who submitted the form.
This helps reassure them that their message went through and you’ll be in touch.
In WPForms:
- Go to your form’s Settings > Notifications.
- Click Add New Notification.
- In the Send To field, select the email input from the form (usually shown as {field_id}).
- Write a friendly message like:
“Thanks for reaching out! We’ve received your message and will get back to you shortly.”
This makes your site look more professional and user-friendly.
6. Customize Your Notification Emails for Clarity
If you receive many form submissions, they can all start to look the same. You can customize the email subject and content to stay organized.
Here’s how to make things easier to manage:
What You Can Customize:
- Subject Line: Include the form name or user’s name (e.g., “New Contact from John”).
- From Name and Email: Make sure it’s easily recognizable (e.g., “My Website” or “Support Team”).
- Email Body: Use smart tags (form fields) to include details like name, email, message, and more.
Example Email Subject:
New Contact Request from {name}
By customizing your notifications, you can quickly know what each message is about – without even opening the email.
Final Thoughts
Setting up notifications for form submissions in WordPress is simple, but it’s something many people overlook. Missing a message can cost you a sale, a client, or an opportunity.
Using reliable form plugins like WPForms or Contact Form 7, along with SMTP support, ensures that:
- You always receive form submissions.
- You can reply quickly and build trust.
- Your users also get a confirmation email, improving their experience.
Take a few minutes to set up proper notifications – it’ll save you from headaches and missed messages in the long run.
Conclusion
Getting notified when someone submits a form on your WordPress site isn’t just a feature – it’s essential for good communication, timely responses, and efficient lead handling. Whether you use WPForms, Contact Form 7, or another plugin, setting up notifications (and ensuring they deliver) is a step every site owner should take seriously.
Also, don’t forget to test everything. Send a few submissions yourself. If it works smoothly, you’ll never miss a lead again.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How do I get email notifications from WPForms?
To receive notifications, go to WPForms > Settings > Notifications and enter your email in the “Send To” field. Save your changes and test the form.
Why am I not receiving form notifications?
You may not receive notifications due to spam filters, incorrect email settings, or lack of SMTP setup. Install an SMTP plugin like WP Mail SMTP to fix it.
Can I send form notifications to multiple recipients?
Yes, in most form plugins, you can separate multiple email addresses with commas in the “Send To” field.
How do I confirm that users receive an email after submitting a form?
Enable user notifications in your form plugin settings by setting “Send To” to the user’s email field and composing a confirmation message.
What is the best plugin for form notifications in WordPress?
WPForms is beginner-friendly and offers powerful notification settings. Contact Form 7 is also popular but less intuitive for beginners.
Do I need SMTP to get form notifications?
While not required, using SMTP greatly improves email delivery and prevents form notifications from going to spam or failing to send.
Can I customize the subject of the notification email?
Yes, you can include dynamic content like the user’s name or form type in the subject line using smart tags provided by the form plugin.
Is it possible to log all form submissions in WordPress?
Yes, many form plugins like WPForms and Formidable Forms offer submission logs or integrations with third-party tools like Google Sheets or CRMs.
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