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SMTP Hosting

SMTP, or Simple Mail Transfer Protocol, is a way for servers to send email to recipients over the in...ternet. Although SMTP is now an ‘old’ protocol, having been developed in the 1970s and claiming its original definition in 1982, it’s still very much in use today.

Most internet users will have come across the term ‘SMTP’ when entering server details into email software. This method of using SMTP is slightly different; it’s only used for sending messages from the software to the server. Receiving email messages on this local level is handled by either POP, IMAP or some other protocol such as those employed by Microsoft Exchange.

On a wider scale, SMTP delivers messages by determining the recipient domain’s MX record. The MX record can usually be changed in the domain registrar’s control panel, allowing you to re-route emails to your domain through an alternative server. An MX entry must follow a certain format, and care is needed not to set it incorrectly because it will cause emails to be undelivered.

In the past, SMTP servers have been offered on an open basis, meaning anyone could use them for sending email. The first spam message is thought to have been sent in 1978 before the implementation of SMTP, and there are reports of ‘unwanted’ mass emails dating back to 1971. An open SMTP server is a target for spammers looking for an untraceable way to send email. Many providers now restrict the use of SMTP to their own customers, ensuring that any email sent through their SMTP service comes from a traceable source. Some servers will require authentication in addition to this, or will restrict the use of the SMTP server to people within a defined IP range. Any server that does not have some kind of restriction on its use will be quickly blacklisted by ISPs, largely due to a high likelihood that it will be used for sending large quantities of spam email. Anyone setting up an SMTP server needs to ensure it is properly configured and secured to avoid being accidentally blacklisted.

In addition, some providers will place limits on the size of emails that can be transmitted. Limits on message size are rising slowly with the advent of cloud email hosting, increasingly more complex multimedia attachments and faster internet connections. Many users choose to use online file hosting or storage services to get around file size restrictions via SMTP.


SMTP hosting is often included in your hosting plan

There’s no need to look for a separate solution if you need SMTP hosting. Many providers will give you access to their SMTP servers with any web hosting package. Even the most basic shared web hosting accounts usually have some form of SMTP relay included, and reseller hosting or dedicated hosting will give you more options to customise that provision. For example, if you resell web space to your clients, you may wish to offer them SMTP, POP or IMAP server names that match their own domain. Using the SMTP provision with your ISP gets around the issue of having to comply with complex rules and security or fretting over port settings and authentication.

SMTP options are normally configured in your control panel. On Linux, this is usually CPanel or Plesk. Once your SMTP service is configured, you don’t need to touch it again - unless you switch hosts in the future.

SMTP helps you to look professional

SMTP servers often only permit connections from paying customers. Restricting the people who can use SMTP is a way to prevent anonymous users from using SMTP to send spam emails. If you or your client is signed up to a monthly plan with an ISP, you may have access to their SMTP servers to send messages, but it doesn’t always give the best impression to clients.

If you don’t have an ISP, you may find you need to pay for an SMTP service or hosting plan, but this gives you the advantage of using your own domain for email - a much tidier and more professional solution. It also means you have more control over your email provision, and any limits on file sizes and file types are likely to be more relaxed.

A note for those who send newsletters

If you send newsletters, it’s best not to rely on your personal or business ISP for SMTP provision. You may not be permitted to send large quantities of email, and you may be at the mercy of your ISP’s technical support helpline if any problems arise. Your messages may also be mis-identified as spam, or your ISP could block port 25 entirely.

Your own host is more likely to accommodate this type of mailing, but if in doubt, specialist mailing list applications can be used. One of these, PHPlist, is often included in Fantastico on Linux servers, giving you an easy one-click installation option for bulk emailing; more elegant solutions can be found online.

Regardless of how you send out your newsletters, you must always take care to comply with any anti-spam policies. One common requirement is the inclusion of a clear ‘Unsubscribe’ link in the header or footer of every email you send out: failure to include this will flag your mailouts as spam, and your account will be suspended.

Always make sure your subscribers have opted-in voluntarily, and restrict the speed that messages are sent. Most hosts will begin to worry if you’re sending out more than 200 emails per hour.

Check your SMTP mailbox provision

Cheaper plans may place restrictions on the amount of server space you can use for emails, files and bandwidth. Check the SMTP provision on your chosen hosting plan and make sure there is enough capacity for you and your clients. Some hosts offer extras, such as webmail applications, or easy set-up files for programs such as Microsoft Outlook that automatically configure mailboxes for you. If you support a lot of clients, these features could save you some time and hassle in the long run.

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Hosting PlanFeaturesReviewsDisk SpaceBandwidthPrice
professional Plan Key Features
  • SMTP
  • Money-Back Guarantee
  • Server Location: United States
  • cPanel
  • Joomla
  • Drupal
  • WordPress
  • PHP
  • MySQL
  • Phone Support
  • Free Domain(s): 1
  • IMAP Support
  • POP3 Support
  • Linux
  • Backups: 1
67 user reviews Unlimited Unlimited $4.95/mo Visit Host
Read BlueHost Reviews
510
Siteground Web Hosting Plan Key Features
  • SMTP
  • Server Location: United States
  • cPanel
  • Joomla
  • Drupal
  • WordPress
  • PHP
  • MySQL
  • Phone Support
  • Free Domain(s): 1
  • IMAP Support
  • POP3 Support
67 user reviews Unlimited Unlimited $3.95/mo Visit Host
Read Siteground Reviews
509
Super Green Plan Key Features
  • SMTP
  • Money-Back Guarantee
  • cPanel
  • PHP
  • MySQL
  • Phone Support
  • Free Domain(s): 1
  • IMAP Support
  • POP3 Support
No reviews yet Unlimited Unlimited $3.95/mo Visit Host
Read Super Green Hosting Reviews
382
Email Hosting Plan Key Features
  • SMTP
  • Backups: Unlimited
18 user reviews $1.00/mo Visit Host
Read Lunarpages Reviews
250
Linux Hatchling Plan Key Features
  • SMTP
  • Money-Back Guarantee
  • Server Location: United States
  • cPanel
  • Joomla
  • Drupal
  • WordPress
  • PHP
  • MySQL
  • Phone Support
  • IMAP Support
  • POP3 Support
  • Linux
  • Backups: 1
125 user reviews Unlimited Unlimited $6.95/mo Visit Host
Read HostGator Reviews
185
Linux Starter Plan Key Features
  • SMTP
  • Money-Back Guarantee
  • Server Location: United States
  • cPanel
  • PHP
  • MySQL
  • Phone Support
  • IMAP Support
  • POP3 Support
  • Linux
  • Backups: 1
1 user review Unlimited Unlimited $2.95/mo Visit Host
Read MidPhase Reviews
158
green Plan Key Features
  • SMTP
  • Server Location: United States
  • cPanel
  • Free Domain(s): 1
  • POP3 Support
  • Linux
29 user reviews Unlimited Unlimited 3.95/mo Visit Host
Read HostPapa Reviews
154
StartUp Plan Key Features
  • SMTP
  • Money-Back Guarantee
  • Server Location: United States
  • cPanel
  • Joomla
  • Drupal
  • WordPress
  • PHP
  • MySQL
  • Phone Support
  • IMAP Support
  • POP3 Support
  • Linux
  • Backups: 1
7 user reviews 10GB 10GB $4.87/mo Visit Host
Read A2 Hosting Reviews
129
Grid Hosting Plan Key Features
  • SMTP
  • Money-Back Guarantee
  • Joomla
  • Drupal
  • WordPress
  • PHP
  • MySQL
  • Phone Support
  • Free Domain(s): No
  • IMAP Support
  • POP3 Support
  • Linux
  • Backups: Yes
39 user reviews 100GB 1TB/month 20.00/mo Visit Host
Read Media Temple Reviews
122
Basic Linux Hosting Plan Key Features
  • SMTP
  • Joomla
  • Drupal
  • WordPress
  • MySQL
  • Phone Support
  • IMAP Support
  • POP3 Support
31 user reviews Unlimited Unlimited $4.84/mo Visit Host
Read MyHosting.com Reviews
102
Linux Soho Plan Key Features
  • SMTP
  • Money-Back Guarantee
  • cPanel
  • Joomla
  • WordPress
  • PHP
  • MySQL
  • Phone Support
  • Free Domain(s): 1 lifetime
  • IMAP Support
  • POP3 Support
7 user reviews Unlimited $1.95/mo Visit Host
Read MochaHost Reviews
100
Personal Plan Key Features
  • SMTP
  • cPanel
  • WordPress
  • MySQL
  • Phone Support
  • IMAP Support
  • POP3 Support
9 user reviews 50 GB 1,000 GB $4.00/mo Visit Host
Read WestHost Reviews
80
Budget Shared Hosting 3Star Plan Key Features
  • SMTP
  • Money-Back Guarantee
  • cPanel
  • PHP
  • MySQL
  • Free Domain(s): Yes
  • IMAP Support
  • POP3 Support
  • Backups: Daily & Weekly
1 user review 2.5GB 50GB $4.99/mo Visit Host
Read GlowHost Reviews
79
One Plan Key Features
  • SMTP
  • Money-Back Guarantee
  • PHP
  • MySQL
  • Phone Support
  • Free Domain(s): 1
  • IMAP Support
  • POP3 Support
  • Linux
  • Backups: 1
4 user reviews Unlimited Unlimited $3.88/mo Visit Host
Read PowWeb Reviews
63
Web Hosting Plan Key Features
  • SMTP
  • Money-Back Guarantee
  • Server Location: United States
  • PHP
  • MySQL
  • Free Domain(s): 1
  • IMAP Support
  • POP3 Support
  • Linux
  • Backups: 1
63 user reviews Unlimited Unlimited $8.95/mo Visit Host
Read DreamHost Reviews
54
Netfirms Plus Plan Key Features
  • SMTP
  • Money-Back Guarantee
  • Server Location: United States
  • cPanel
  • WordPress
  • PHP
  • MySQL
  • Phone Support
  • POP3 Support
2 user reviews 10GB 500GB $4.95/mo Visit Host
Read NetFirms Reviews
42
AdvanceX Plan Key Features
  • SMTP
  • Money-Back Guarantee
  • Server Location: United States
  • WordPress
  • PHP
  • MySQL
  • POP3 Support
  • Windows
4 user reviews 350GB 3,500GB $7.96/mo Visit Host
Read EasyCGI Reviews
0
Omnis Linux Plan Key Features
  • SMTP
  • Money-Back Guarantee
  • Server Location: United States
  • Joomla
  • Drupal
  • WordPress
  • PHP
  • MySQL
  • Phone Support
  • Free Domain(s): 1
  • IMAP Support
  • POP3 Support
5 user reviews Unlimited Unlimited $6.95/mo Visit Host
Read Omnis Network Reviews
0
Unlimited Shared cPanel Web Hosting Plan Key Features
  • SMTP
  • Money-Back Guarantee
  • Server Location: United States
  • cPanel
  • Joomla
  • Drupal
  • WordPress
  • PHP
  • MySQL
  • Phone Support
  • IMAP Support
  • POP3 Support
  • Linux
  • Backups: 1
7 user reviews Unlimited Unlimited $9.97/mo Visit Host
Read BounceWeb Reviews
0
Windows Shared Hosting-Rookie Plan Key Features
  • SMTP
  • Money-Back Guarantee
  • Server Location: United States
  • Phone Support
  • IMAP Support
  • POP3 Support
  • Windows
  • Backups: 1
5 user reviews 200GB 2,000GB $6.00/mo Visit Host
Read Brinkster Reviews
0
Shared Business Plan Key Features
  • SMTP
  • MySQL
  • Phone Support
  • IMAP Support
  • POP3 Support
  • Backups: Yes
No reviews yet 10 GB 200 GB $39.95/mo Visit Host
Read Dataracks Reviews
0
Shared Hosting Basic Plan Key Features
  • SMTP
  • cPanel
  • PHP
  • MySQL
  • IMAP Support
  • POP3 Support
  • Backups: Daily
No reviews yet 2 GB 60 GB $5.99/mo Visit Host
Read DependableHost Reviews
0
PRO Plan Key Features
  • SMTP
  • cPanel
  • PHP
  • MySQL
  • IMAP Support
  • POP3 Support
No reviews yet Unlimited $7.95/mo Visit Host
Read ePowHost Reviews
0
GX01 Plan Key Features
  • SMTP
  • Money-Back Guarantee
  • Server Location: United States
  • cPanel
  • PHP
  • MySQL
  • Free Domain(s): 1
  • POP3 Support
1 user review Unlimited Unlimited $4.44/mo Visit Host
Read Globat Reviews
0
Lite Plan Key Features
  • SMTP
  • IMAP Support
No reviews yet 400 GB 4,000 GB $4.95/mo Visit Host
Read Hagen Hosting Reviews
0
Shared Linux Ultralite Plan Key Features
  • SMTP
  • cPanel
  • PHP
  • MySQL
  • IMAP Support
  • POP3 Support
  • Backups: HOURLY
No reviews yet 1,000 MB 10,000 MB $4.00/mo Visit Host
Read Hands-on Web Hosting Reviews
0
Silver Plan Key Features
  • SMTP
  • cPanel
  • MySQL
  • IMAP Support
  • POP3 Support
  • Backups: Instant
8 user reviews No Limit No Limit $4.84/mo Visit Host
Read Hosting24.com Reviews
0
Value Plan Plan Key Features
  • SMTP
  • IMAP Support
No reviews yet 1,500 MB 50,000MB $8.96/mo Visit Host
Read Integral Hosting Reviews
0
Windows Hosting Value Plan Key Features
  • SMTP
  • MySQL
  • IMAP Support
  • POP3 Support
  • Backups: Free
1 user review 800 MB 12GB $6.60/mo Visit Host
Read Jodohost Reviews
0
VDS Sphera Standard IP Plan Key Features
  • SMTP
  • Server Location: United States
  • WordPress
  • PHP
  • MySQL
  • Phone Support
  • POP3 Support
  • Linux
  • Backups: 1
13 user reviews 20GB 200GB $24.95/mo Visit Host
Read JumpLine.com Reviews
0
Starter Plan Key Features
  • SMTP
  • Money-Back Guarantee
  • cPanel
  • PHP
  • MySQL
  • IMAP Support
  • POP3 Support
No reviews yet Unlimited Unlimited $7.95/mo Visit Host
Read Made 2 Own Reviews
0
Tehe One Plan (Linux Platform) Plan Key Features
  • SMTP
  • Money-Back Guarantee
  • WordPress
  • MySQL
  • Free Domain(s): for 1-yr plan
  • Backups: Daily
No reviews yet Unlimited Unlimited $7.95/mo Visit Host
Read Networks Hosting Reviews
0
Advance Plan Key Features
  • SMTP
  • Money-Back Guarantee
  • cPanel
  • Joomla
  • Drupal
  • WordPress
  • MySQL
  • Phone Support
  • IMAP Support
No reviews yet 10GB 200GB $12.50/mo Visit Host
Read OurWeb Reviews
0
Advanced Plan Key Features
  • SMTP
  • Money-Back Guarantee
  • cPanel
  • MySQL
  • IMAP Support
  • Backups: Daily
4 user reviews Unlimited Unlimited $8.99/mo Visit Host
Read PacificHost Reviews
0
Plan 2 Plan Key Features
  • SMTP
  • cPanel
  • MySQL
  • IMAP Support
  • POP3 Support
  • Backups: 1
No reviews yet 500GB 50GB $12.95/mo Visit Host
Read Page-Zone Reviews
0
Budget Plan Key Features
  • SMTP
  • Server Location: Stratford,London
  • cPanel
  • Phone Support
  • IMAP Support
  • POP3 Support
No reviews yet 250MB 3GB $3.08/mo Visit Host
Read Pickaweb Reviews
0
Intermediate Web Plan Key Features
  • SMTP
  • Server Location: USA & UK
  • cPanel
  • MySQL
  • Backups: daily
1 user review 2,000MB 15GB $2.08/mo Visit Host
Read RSHosting Reviews
0
Starter Plan Key Features
  • SMTP
  • Money-Back Guarantee
  • Server Location: USA
  • Joomla
  • WordPress
  • MySQL
  • IMAP Support
  • POP3 Support
  • Backups: 1
1 user review 500MB 5GB $3.50/mo Visit Host
Read Softsys Hosting Reviews
0
Web Hosting Package Plan Key Features
  • SMTP
  • cPanel
  • Joomla
  • Drupal
  • WordPress
  • PHP
  • MySQL
  • IMAP Support
  • POP3 Support
3 user reviews Unlimited Unlimited $3.85/mo Visit Host
Read TMDHosting Reviews
0
totalBASIC Plan Key Features
  • SMTP
  • Money-Back Guarantee
  • cPanel
  • PHP
  • MySQL
  • IMAP Support
  • POP3 Support
  • Linux
No reviews yet 5GB 50GB $3.95/mo Visit Host
Read Totalwebhq Reviews
0

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