E-mail Strategies - The 3 Types of Internet Hosting

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By Mike Barnett

RISMEDIA, April 18, 2008-When most people hear the word “hosting” in the context of the Internet, their first thought is website hosting. However, there are actually three types of hosting: the aforementioned Web hosting, domain hosting and e-mail hosting.

Each type of hosting has its own value and importance. For this month, however, we will discuss e-mail hosting.

Here are some things to look for in choosing an e-mail host:

- Your e-mail host should track (log) each e-mail communication (both inbound and outbound).
- Your e-mail host should continually monitor all inbound and outbound communication logs looking for new trends or possible intrusions (spammers).
- Your e-mail host should respond quickly to your requests (preferably within 24 hours of the request, both weekdays and weekends). The Internet is open 24/7/365 and when your e-mail is down, it can cause serious stress.

Don’t hesitate to contact your e-mail host if you suspect an e-mail didn’t arrive or didn’t get delivered properly. Normally, by knowing the sender’s e-mail address and the address the e-mail was supposed to be delivered to, the e-mail host should be able to determine the results.

When a delivery issue is determined, your e-mail host should work with you and, when appropriate, “white list” senders who are having problems delivering e-mail to you. On the converse, if you are receiving unwanted e-mail, your host should help you with rules to eliminate the unwanted communication either by “black-listing” the sender or moving their e-mail to a special folder-or just deleting it.

One of the most important aspects to look for in an e-mail host is that it should have a system that keeps you in the loop. It is one thing to be working on an issue-it is another to keep the customer informed as the progress is under way.

The most important factor to look for in an e-mail host is their customer service. Ask your e-mail host for referrals and references and have them answer all your questions before you move your e-mail hosting to them.

Look at your options before making a decision in any one hosting category.

For more on domains and hosting, visit http://Domains.RealTown.com.

Mike Barnett is CTO/VP of Technology for InternetCrusade’s RealTown.com. For more information, please visit www.realtown.com or e-mail Mike@e-mailHeaven.RealTown.com.

RISMedia welcomes your questions and comments. Send your e-mail to: realestatemagazinefeedback@rismedia.com.

For related articles by Mike Barnett, see:

• How Realtors Can Use Auto-Responders Correctly  
  How to Know If You’ve Found ‘the One’
  E-mail Strategies - Client-Side vs. Server-Side

Discussion Forum

Topic	Posts	Last Poster
Effective, Fast and FREE Ways to Sell Homes on the Internet!	1	RealEstateMarketingNerdscom
Seller switched appliances	5	soldbychris
"I'm not going to give my house away."	15	Racheli
#1 Thing you MUST know about your website to make $$$$ online	1	RealEstateMarketingNerdscom
My Space Page?	6	RealEstateMarketingNerdscom
Why is acknowledging a recession a good thing???	3	ruthrbn
Role of realtor in real estate business	1	RomiSam11
A Listing and $2.00 will get you on the subway!	3	JoeCline
Online bidding for all Realtors	2	JoeCline
Yeah Right ,You Can Always Refinance	2	JoeCline

The Philosophy Embedded Within

Commentary by Scott Einbinder
RISMEDIA, May 19, 2008-Having read the 2008 Power Broker Report, I’d like to thank RISMedia for putting together such an informative document. Like all good resources, there are things to learn and apply from what we have read. Within the pages of this report rests a very important characteristic of our industry. […]