This article shows you how to build notification systems that automatically send messages to you and your customers when specific things happen on your website.
1. Set Up Basic Email Notifications
Start by checking your existing email setup works properly. Go to your WordPress dashboard and navigate to Settings > General. Make sure your site email address is correct - this is where notifications will come from.
If your contact forms aren't sending properly, fix this first before setting up additional notifications.
Test your basic email functionality by having someone fill out your contact form. You should receive an email within a few minutes.
2. Install a Notification Plugin
WordPress plugins handle most notification tasks. Go to Plugins > Add New in your dashboard and search for "WP Mail SMTP" or "Notification" plugins.
Install and activate your chosen plugin. Most notification plugins will add a new menu item to your WordPress dashboard called "Notifications" or similar.
Configure the plugin with your email settings. Use the same email address you set in step 1.
3. Create Form-Based Notifications
If you have a contact form already, you can add notification rules to it.
Most contact form plugins let you set up multiple notifications:
- One email to you when someone submits the form
- One automatic reply to the person who filled out the form
- Additional emails to team members if needed
Go to your contact form settings and look for "Notifications" or "Email" settings. Add the email addresses where you want notifications sent.
4. Set Up Order and Booking Notifications
If you take bookings or orders through your website, create specific notifications for these actions.
For online booking forms, set up notifications that include:
- Booking confirmation to the customer
- New booking alert to you
- Reminder emails before the appointment
Create separate email templates for each type of notification. Use clear subject lines like "Booking Confirmed" or "New Order Received".
5. Add Website Status Notifications
Set up notifications that tell you when something goes wrong with your website.
Many plugins can monitor:
- When your website goes offline
- When someone logs into your WordPress admin
- When plugins are updated
- When new user accounts are created
These notifications help you stay on top of website security and performance issues.
6. Create Newsletter Signup Notifications
If you have newsletter signup forms, set up notifications for new subscribers.
Create an automatic welcome email that sends immediately when someone subscribes. Also set up a notification to yourself so you know when your mailing list grows.
7. Test Your Notification System
Test each notification type you've set up:
- Fill out your contact form with a test email address
- Create a test booking or order
- Sign up for your newsletter with a different email
- Have someone else test the forms to make sure they work
Check both that you receive notifications and that customers receive their automatic replies.
8. Customize Notification Messages
Edit the default messages to match your business tone and include relevant information.
For customer notifications, include:
- Your business name and contact details
- Clear next steps or what happens next
- When they can expect to hear from you
- How to contact you if they have questions
For internal notifications to yourself, include all the details you need to follow up properly.
If you're still stuck setting up notifications, contact Web60 support for help with your specific requirements.
FAQ
Q: Why am I not receiving notification emails?
A: Check your spam folder first, then verify your email settings in WordPress Settings > General. Your hosting provider might be blocking outgoing emails.
Q: Can I send notifications to multiple email addresses?
A: Yes, most notification systems let you add multiple email addresses separated by commas. You can also set up different notifications for different people.
Q: How do I stop getting too many notification emails?
A: Edit your notification settings to reduce frequency or turn off notifications you don't need. You can usually set daily summaries instead of individual emails.
Q: Can customers unsubscribe from notification emails?
A: Customers should be able to unsubscribe from marketing emails, but transactional emails like order confirmations are usually mandatory. Check your email plugin settings.
Q: Do notification emails work with all email providers?
A: Most email providers accept notification emails, but Gmail and Outlook sometimes filter them to spam. Use a proper email setup and avoid spam trigger words.
Q: Can I customize the look of notification emails?
A: Yes, many notification plugins include email template editors. You can change colors, add your logo, and customize the layout to match your brand.
Q: What happens if my website is down - will notifications still work?
A: If your website is completely down, notifications won't work either. Consider using an external monitoring service that emails you when your site goes offline.
Last updated: 1 March 2026