How to Configure SMTP Email Services in Monster Leaderboards

Monster Leaderboards allows you to send registration emails using professional SMTP providers like AWS SES, SendGrid, Mailgun, and others. This gives you greater control, better deliverability, and full branding over your outgoing emails.

What You’ll Need

Before setting up SMTP, make sure you have the following details from your email provider:

Required Credentials

• API Key / SMTP Username
• API Secret / SMTP Password
• SMTP Hostname
• Port Number (usually 465 or 587)

These details are available in your provider’s dashboard.

Step 1: Verify Your Sending Domain (Important)

Most SMTP providers require you to verify your domain or email address before you can send emails.

👉 This is called a Verified Sender

Why this matters:

• Prevents spoofing and abuse
• Improves email deliverability
• Ensures your emails aren’t blocked

What to do:

1. Log in to your email provider (AWS SES, SendGrid, Mailgun, etc.)
2. Add and verify your domain or sending email address
3. Follow their instructions (usually DNS records like SPF/DKIM)
4. Wait until verification is complete

⚠️ Your emails will fail to send if this step is not completed.

Step 2: Configure SMTP in Monster Leaderboards

1. Log in to your Monster Leaderboards account
2. Go to Email Settings
3. Select your provider:
   • AWS SES
   • SendGrid
   • Mailgun
   • Brevo
   • Other (Generic SMTP)

Step 3: Enter Your SMTP Details

Once you select your provider, enter:

• SMTP Username / API Key
• SMTP Password / Secret
• From Name (your brand or company name)
• From Email (must match your verified sender)

Smart Defaults

When you select a provider like AWS, SendGrid, or Mailgun, Monster Leaderboards will automatically pre-fill the correct SMTP hostname and port for you.

This reduces setup errors and speeds up configuration.

Step 4: Match Your Verified Sender

Make sure your From Email in Monster Leaderboards matches exactly what you verified in your email provider.

✅ Example:
If you verified events@yourcompany.com, use that exact email as your sender.

❌ Do NOT use:

• Unverified email addresses
• Different domains

Step 5: Test Your Connection

Before going live:

1. Click the Test Connection button in Monster Leaderboards
2. Send a test email
3. Confirm it arrives in your inbox

What this checks:

• SMTP credentials are correct
• Your provider is accepting requests
• Emails can be successfully delivered

👉 If the test fails, double-check your credentials and verification status.

Recommended Ports

• 587 → Recommended (TLS)
• 465 → Alternative (SSL)

If unsure, use 587.