Step 1: Download Thunderbird

In our opinion Thunderbird is THE best email software around. It has stacks of features and it's really easy to use.

Download and install Thunderbird software: www.mozilla.com/en-US/thunderbird

1. When you install Thunderbird, and you've already been using Outlook or other email, you will automatically be asked if you'd like to transfer the Outlook settings and email to Thunderbird. Choose 'yes'. The only thing that won't be copied across is passwords, so the first time you receive email you'll be asked for your passwords.

Step 2: Configure 'SMTP' in Thunderbird

1. Open Thunderbird
2. Go to Tools>Account Settings
3. On the left click 'Outgoing Server (SMTP)' at the bottom of the list and then click 'Add' at the top right
   
4. Fill the server details in as below (but change 'yourdomainname' for your own domain name)
   
   
5. Please note that the port number is either 525 (for standard hosting) or 26 (for green hosting)
   
6. Click OK
7. Please note that some ISPs (Internet Service Providers) will not allow you to use your own SMTP settings. This has to do with preventative measures against people who send out SPAM. In this case you may see errors when trying to send email and you will therefore have to use your ISP's SMTP details. Please see here for a list of some of the most popular ones: SMTP List
   

Step3: Add Your Email Addresses

1. Open Thunderbird
2. Go to Tools>Account Settings
3. Click 'Add Account'' at the bottom right, then select 'Email Account' and click 'Next'
   
4. Enter your name in the first field and then your email address in the second field and click 'Next
   
5. Choose POP server type and in the servername field type mail.yourdomainname.com making sure to replace yourdomainname with your own details, then click Next
   
6. Enter your email address for the incoming username and click Next
   
7. Enter a name for this account, this is just a label that will appear on your email folder so you can just as well use your email address again for this. Click Next
   
8. Click Finish. Repeat the above steps for ALL of your email addresses.
   

Step 4: Send and Receive Email

POP v's IMAP

** please make sure that you use POP3 details to retrieve your email, and not IMAP. Using IMAP means your emails are never retrieved from your hosting account fully, so your email box will continue to grow and grow until you have no space left on your hosting account.