Send email in wordpress

Question

hi,

I'm trying to send an email using PHP mail() in a wordpress site. I created an empty page http://www.exam-vision.com/request-flip-up-instructions which template includes the php code shown below. When I post the data, isset($_REQUEST['email']) is false, while I can in firebug that the data have been posted correctly. What can be wrong?

thanks

<?php

if (isset($_REQUEST['email']))
//if "email" is filled out, send email
{
    //send email

    $email = $_REQUEST['email'] ;
    $subject = $_REQUEST['subject'] ;
    $message = $_REQUEST['message'] ;
    mail( "<someemail>", "Subject: $subject",
    $message, "From: $email" );
    echo "Thank you for using our mail form";
}
else
//if "email" is not filled out, display the form
{
   echo "<form method='post' action='http://www.exam-vision.com/request-flip-up-instructions'&gt;
   Email: <input name='email' type='text' /><br />
   Subject: <input name='subject' type='text' /><br />
   Message:<br />
  <textarea name='message' rows='15' cols='40'>
  </textarea><br />
  <input type='submit' />
</form>";
}
?>

Answer 1

Instead of using $REQUEST, just use $_POST since the page is posting to itself and be sure to check if it's set or if it's empty. And rather than using PHP's mail() function use WordPress' wp_mail function.

Alternatively you can choose to use plugins to accomplish this as well. CformsII and Gravity Forms (premium plugin) are just a couple of examples. I've used CformsII and it's quite extensive and feature rich for a free plugin.

Answer 2

Two things: to use your current form, you should 1) check with your host to see if you need to use smtp and authenticate rather than use php mail, and 2), sanitize your input: PHP Secure E-mail.

If you want to use a WP plugin for mail instead - which has many advantages over building your own form - you may also need to use WP Mail SMTP « WordPress Plugins to use smtp rather than php mail, as your host probably is restricting the use of php mail.