MH1 Web Design Blog

Internet Message Access Protocol (commonly known as IMAP or IMAP4) allows a local client to access e-mail on a remote server. It is one of the email protocols offered with MH1 Web Hosting, although rarely used. IMAP supports both connected (online) and disconnected (offline) modes of operation. E-mail clients using IMAP generally leave messages on the server until the user explicitly deletes them. This allows multiple clients to access the same mailbox. Outlook and most popular e-mail clients support either POP3 or IMAP to retrieve messages; however, fewer Internet Service Providers (ISPs) support IMAP.

What’s wrong with IMAP?

Nothing. It just depends on what you require from your email client and whether your host has the storage and bandwidth resources to support IMAP. E-mail messages are usually sent to an e-mail server that stores received messages in the recipient’s e-mail mailbox. The user retrieves messages with either a web browser (aka webmail) or an e-mail client (MS Outlook, Mozilla Thunderbird, Eudora) that uses one of a number of e-mail retrieval protocols, such as POP3 or IMAP.

The biggest drawback with using IMAP is that because emails are stored on the host server instead of downloaded locally to your hard drive, your hosting account storage/disk space quota can quickly fill up. This can cause your account to freeze up and temporarily disable other business email accounts using the same domain. IMAP users need either Enterprise-level hosting with massive amounts of available disk space storage or great self-discipline about deleting old emails.

In almost all cases, MH1 Web Hosting customers will be better served using POP3 and or webmail to manage business email accounts. Of our POP3 customers, more than 90% use MS Outlook or Outlook Express. Many clients are now choosing to use alias or forwarder email addresses in combination with Google’s excellent, free Gmail webmail service. Yahoo’s free email while still popular lags behind Gmail in the breadth of easy to learn and use services. And Yahoo’s spam filtering haphazardly routes emails you want into the spam/bulk folder too frequently for our taste. When using an alias email address, any incoming email is instantly routed to your Gmail, Yahoo or other email account of choice. Most programs let you select the email address recipients see when you send or reply to emails, so your clients only see your business email address. This is easier than it sounds to set up and in most cases, MH1 Web Hosting staff help walk you through the process and set up required. Just ask us for help.

MH1 Web Hosting is used almost solely by our business customers as opposed to a large number of anonymous general hosting customers. Bulk hosting is not a part of our business model. Host plans are fitted specifically to your needs. Maintenance and set up support are handled one-on-one with a telephone call. This kind of personal hosting customer service is very rare these days and something treasured by most of our clients.

Please contact MH1 Web Hosting with questions about IMAP, POP3 or webmail options.

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