Gmail SMTP is an excellent choice for small to medium businesses using NextEvent:
- Free: No additional cost - use your existing Gmail account
- Reliable: Google's infrastructure ensures 99.9% deliverability
- Trusted: Emails from Gmail have high trust scores and rarely go to spam
- Secure: TLS encryption protects your email communications
- Limit: Send up to 500 emails per day (perfect for most event businesses)
Before You Start
Gmail Account
You need a Gmail account (personal or Google Workspace). We recommend using a dedicated business email like yourcompany@gmail.com
2-Step Verification ON
2-Step Verification must be enabled on your Google account. This is required to generate an App Password.
App Password
You'll create a special "App Password" for NextEvent. This is different from your regular Gmail password.
Never use your regular Gmail password for SMTP configuration. Always use an App Password. App Passwords are:
- Specific to one application (NextEvent)
- Can be revoked anytime without affecting your main account
- Don't give full access to your Google account
Step-by-Step Guide
Enable 2-Step Verification
Turn on 2-Step Verification for your Google account
If you haven't already enabled 2-Step Verification, follow these steps:
- Go to myaccount.google.com/security
- Under "Signing in to Google", click on 2-Step Verification
- Click Get Started and follow the prompts
- Choose your verification method (Phone, Authenticator app, etc.)
- Complete the setup process
Security
Signing in to Google
2-Step Verification
Add an extra layer of security to your account
App passwords
Manage app-specific passwords for apps that can't use 2-Step Verification
Already have 2-Step Verification?
Great! Skip to Step 2 to create your App Password.
Generate App Password
Create a special password for NextEvent
Now create an App Password specifically for NextEvent:
- Go to myaccount.google.com/apppasswords
- You may need to sign in again
- In the "App name" field, type NextEvent
- Click Create
- Google will generate a 16-character password
- Copy this password immediately - you won't see it again!
App passwords
App passwords let you sign in to your Google Account from apps that don't support 2-Step Verification.
Create a new app password
Your app password for NextEvent
abcd efgh ijkl mnop
This password won't be shown again. Copy it now!
Important!
- Copy the App Password immediately - Google only shows it once
- Store it securely until you configure NextEvent
- The password is 16 characters without spaces (ignore the spaces shown)
Gmail SMTP Settings
Know the correct SMTP configuration values
Use these exact settings to configure Gmail SMTP in NextEvent:
Gmail SMTP Configuration
Alternative Port
If port 587 doesn't work, you can try port 465 with SSL encryption instead of TLS.
Configure in NextEvent
Enter the SMTP settings in your NextEvent account
Now configure Gmail SMTP in your NextEvent settings:
- Log in to your NextEvent account
- Go to Settings → Email Configuration
- Select SMTP as your email method
- Enter the Gmail SMTP settings
- Click Test Connection to verify
- Click Save Settings
Email Configuration - SMTP Settings
Test Before Saving
Always click "Test Connection" before saving. NextEvent will send a test email to verify the configuration is correct.
Send Test Email
Verify everything works correctly
After saving, send a test email to confirm the setup:
- Go to a customer or create a test quote
- Click Send via Email
- Check your inbox (and spam folder) for the email
- Verify the email looks professional and came from your Gmail
Success!
If you received the test email, congratulations! Your Gmail SMTP is configured correctly. You can now send quotes, invoices, reminders, and promotional emails through NextEvent!
Frequently Asked Questions
How many emails can I send with Gmail SMTP?
Gmail allows up to 500 emails per day for personal Gmail accounts and 2,000 emails per day for Google Workspace accounts. This is sufficient for most event businesses. If you need higher limits, consider using dedicated email services like SendGrid or Mailgun.
"Less Secure Apps" option is gone - what do I do?
Google removed the "Less Secure Apps" option in 2022. The only way to use Gmail SMTP now is through App Passwords, which require 2-Step Verification. This is actually more secure! Follow this guide to set up App Passwords correctly.
I lost my App Password - what now?
No problem! You can generate a new App Password anytime:
- Go to myaccount.google.com/apppasswords
- Revoke the old "NextEvent" password
- Create a new one
- Update the password in NextEvent settings
My emails are going to spam - how do I fix this?
If emails are landing in spam:
- Use a professional "From Name" (your business name)
- Don't use all caps or excessive exclamation marks in subjects
- Include an unsubscribe link in promotional emails
- Ask customers to mark your emails as "Not Spam" and add you to contacts
- Consider using Google Workspace for a custom domain (yourname@yourbusiness.com)
Can I use Google Workspace (G Suite) instead?
Yes! Google Workspace uses the same SMTP settings. The benefits of Google Workspace:
- Custom email domain (you@yourbusiness.com)
- Higher sending limits (2,000/day)
- More professional appearance
- Better deliverability rates
The setup process is identical - just use your Workspace email and App Password.
Connection failed - how do I troubleshoot?
If the test connection fails, check these common issues:
- Wrong password: Make sure you're using the App Password (16 chars), not your Gmail password
- Spaces in password: Remove all spaces from the App Password
- Port blocked: Try port 465 with SSL instead of 587 with TLS
- 2FA not enabled: App Passwords only work with 2-Step Verification enabled
- Typo in email: Double-check your Gmail address is correct
Ready to Send Professional Emails?
Configure Gmail SMTP in NextEvent and start sending quotes, invoices, and reminders today!