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Author: Mark Beuerman

Troubleshooting Email Deliverability Issues

Here is an example of Mark troubleshooting an email deliverability issue presented to him by a client’s email.

The video can be viewed by clicking here.

Mark followed that up with this video to the client, offering him the ability to upgrade to WP SMTP Pro. No one assigned blame, yet we offered a solution; that is the important thing to note. Click here to view.

Setting up a Google Workspace: SPF, DKIM and DMARC Records

Once you get the Google Workspace set up, you will need to add TXT records to the domain to improve email deliverability and prevent spoofing. Google will send an error message if you do not.

After working with Google support, I got some clarity on the records.

SPF Records

Reference this help article: https://support.google.com/a/answer/33786?hl=en&ref_topic=9061731&sjid=6887155437240596817-NC

Here is an example from websitesmadewithlove.com, which includes MailChimp, a screenshot and then some code after:

Name: websitesmadewithlove.com.

v=spf1 +mx +a +ip4:165.22.233.249 +include:_spf.google.com +include:relay.mailchannels.net ~all

Here is a more basic option for Google Workspace only:

v=spf1 include:_spf.google.com ~all

DKIM

You need to follow this help article: https://support.google.com/a/answer/174124?src=supportwidget0&hl=en&authuser=0#dkim-create-key

You will have to generate the key; always do the smaller character length, 1024, so it doesn’t split. It takes 48 hours to authenticate, don’t forget this crucial step.

DMARC

Here is the Google help article: https://support.google.com/a/answer/2466580?hl=en&ref_topic=9061731&sjid=6887155437240596817-NC

This one is pretty simple but cant be done until DKIM is authenticated.

Ad the TXT record as shown below:

Name: _dmarc.insertyourdomainhere.com.

TTL: 3600

Type: TXT

Record: v=DMARC1; p=none;

Access Denied Error Message when uploading plugin

Recently I have had two occasions of trying to upload a plugin to WordPress but wasn’t able to because of an error that simply read Access Denied.

The first instance was with a plugin from the Yoothem extensions library. After troubleshooting with RealGeeks, they advised us to deactivate all of our plugins and then try and it worked. Afterwards, we simply were able to activate the plugins after the installation.

The second instance occurred with a paid premium booking plugin and the site was hosted with Hosting Nation this time. Randy asked if I had an Akeeba plugin on the website, to which the reply was yes.

So I turned off the and deleted the Akeeba plugins and then was able to install the plugin, normally.

So, if you ever get the Access Denied error, simply deactivate the two Akeeba plugins, Admin Tools and Akeeba Backup, and then try again. You can activate them after the successful plugin upload.

Update from Randy at Hosting Nation: “You can just disable the UploadShield in it.”