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WP-Cron system

Make WordPress run its scheduled tasks every minute with an external cron service, so Listivo's email and SMS notifications go out promptly instead of waiting for the next visitor.

2 minute read

WordPress crons are an important part of any WordPress site: they carry out tasks such as scheduling posts and running automated backups. Configuring them is a simple process and is essential for keeping your site running smoothly. In this article we’ll discuss how to configure WordPress crons so you can keep your site up to date and running smoothly.

How does WP-Cron work?

Listivo uses the WP-Cron system to send emails and SMS. WP-Cron does not run constantly; it is only triggered on page load, so someone has to visit your website before the email or SMS is sent. WordPress works the same way for scheduled posts (learn more here about the WP-Cron system).

Make sure notifications are sent within one minute

  1. 1 Create a free account

    Sign up at cron-job.org.

  2. 2 Click the CREATE CRON JOB button
  3. 3 Add a title
  4. 4 Fill in the URL field

    Change the example http://domain.com/wp-cron.php to your own link — make sure you enter your own domain with the right protocol (http or https), and that the URL ends with /wp-cron.php as in the screenshot.

    The cron-job.org "Edit cronjob: Listivo" screen on the COMMON tab, with the Title field set to "Listivo WP Cron Job", the URL field set to http://domain.com/wp-cron.php, the "Enable job" and "Save responses in job history" toggles on, and an execution schedule of every 1 minute.
  5. 5 Set the execution schedule

    Choose Every 1 Minute.

  6. 6 Click Create

Done. Cron-job.org will now force WordPress to check your website’s “Cron Events” every minute, and all email and SMS notifications will be sent in up to 1 minute.

Disable the built-in WordPress cron

Next, you’ll need to edit the wp-config.php file. To do this, you’ll need to add the following line of code to it:

wp-config.php 
define('DISABLE_WP_CRON', 'true');

This code will tell WordPress to disable the default cron and use a real cron. This is important, as the default cron can cause issues with scheduling tasks and backups.

By following these steps, you’ll be able to configure WordPress crons and ensure that your site runs smoothly and efficiently. Be sure to test the cron job regularly to ensure that it’s running correctly.

If a notification still does not arrive

Check for an email address conflict
If you are testing email notifications, consider whether there is an “email address conflict”. On some servers, when the primary WordPress email is the same as the user you send a Private Message to, that user will not receive the email — it is blocked by the hosting or the mailbox.
The WordPress admin sidebar with Settings highlighted and its submenu open, listing General, Writing, Reading, Discussion, Media, Permalinks, Privacy and Cron Schedules; General is selected.
The WordPress Settings → General page with the Administration Email Address field at the top highlighted, above Membership, New User Default Role, Site Language, Timezone and Date Format settings.
Twilio trial accounts only text verified numbers
If you are testing SMS notifications and still have a Twilio trial account, you can send notifications only to verified phone numbers.
Twilio's Verified Caller IDs page with the "Add a new Caller ID" button highlighted and one verified number listed in the table below.

Keep reading

"New direct message" notification email - configuring cron-jobs How to prevent emails go to SPAM folder? How to use SMTP?

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