E-mail @ Your Own Domain

Overview
E-mail (or electronic mail) is a method of composing, sending, storing, and receiving messages over a communication network (like the Internet). The only requirements for e-mail are a computer (or other electronic device with Internet Access), an e-mail service, and an e-mail address. Hint: WestHost provides everything but the computer.

How E-mail Works
Although the process of sending an e-mail is very easy, there is a lot that goes on behind the scenes. Here are the highlights:

1) You open an e-mail client such as Outlook, and compose an e-mail message. You type in the address "bob@otherdomain.com" and click "SEND".

2) Your e-mail first goes through your own outgoing mail server (SMTP), which checks for the validity of both the source and destination e-mail addresses.

3) Your e-mail is then sent to the destination SMTP server which then delivers it to the recipients incoming mail server (POP3).

4) The recipient either views the mail directly on the server with a Web mail application, or ideally, downloads it with their e-mail client (Outlook).

Note: With Web mail, you are viewing the mail directly on your POP mail server, whereas with an E-mail Client like Outlook, you are downloading mail to your computer. A Web mail application is great when you are traveling and do not have access to your own computer.

Why E-mail at WestHost
Generally, when you get access to the Internet through a local Internet Service Provider (ISP), you may be given an e-mail address (i.e. yourname123@aol.com, yourname456@comcast.net, etc.). However, having a private e-mail address branded to your name or company name can be achieved with your own domain name and a Web hosting plan from WestHost. Best of all, you can create as many e-mail addresses as you can think of.

For example:

• bob@yourdomain.com
• sale@yourdomain.com
• bobsmith@yourdomain.com
• bsmith@yourdomain.com

Ready to get e-mail at your own domain?

Registering your own domain name
Choosing an feature-rich Web hosting plan
Choosing a method to design your Web site
Setting up your own private e-mail addresses
Adding e-commerce cababilities
Promoting your Web site to the world