Does Email Come Free With All Hosting Accounts?
Many people mistakenly believe that every hosting account will come with free email accounts. This, however, is not the truth. While many, perhaps even most, hosting accounts do offer free email, some do not. Also, when accounts are offered, they are usually very limited, and users will have to pay for extra addresses or for more advanced features. For these reasons, you should always be sure to read all the terms and conditions surrounding "free" email accounts before you sign up for any hosting service. Some hosts do offer truly great deals with unlimited email access, but others know how to wrap not so great offers in pretty language and end up with disappointed users. To keep that from happening, carefully research each and every server you are thinking of using and, whenever possible, ask specific questions relating to email of past or present users so that there are no surprises later down the road.
Once you do have your hosted email, however, whether it's free or paid, there are some basic rules that you'll want to follow. You will want to be sure to use a server that allows you to access your email from home, work, or any computer that is online, not just from one specific computer. As a general rule, you should also use a server that will allow emails sent to your old or other address to be forwarded to you. Most of the time, you will have to download, install, or purchase Pop3/STMP access to do this.
Also remember that you don't have traditional spam folders and filters, as you do with commercial email programs, already set up. Because of this, you will need to set up spam protection, email filtering, and enable the tracking of email addresses yourself. You should also follow basic protection rules such as not opening emails that come from unknown senders, not opening emails with executable files, not signing up for newsletters or other online materials or at least using a different address when you do, and opting to use an email client for your webmail account. Additionally, you will want to properly configure Spam Assassin and be watchful of any activities going on involving your email or of any messages being sent out without your permission or knowledge.
Even if you do have the luxury of having a free email linked to your hosting service, you will still be responsible for its general upkeep and for its functionality. This can be frustrating, particularly for beginning users who were not aware of all the work required but it is well worth it to have your own professional email address linked to your domain name. Whether you are using your website and email for business or pleasure, having one's own email is a great way to appear tech savvy, intelligent, and up to date on modern technology. Providing you put in the work to use it correctly, you should have a wonderful experience with your domain hosted email address.
