Hands up if you know the difference between webmail and email.
If your hand is down, you’re not alone.
Everyone would agree that email is a central part of daily communication, even if they only use it for work.
On the other hand, webmail is the lesser-known cousin. Due, in part, to the fact that it’s free and accessible from anywhere, webmail has grown in popularity.
Do you plan on using your Irish domain name as your work email? If so, you’re probably wondering, what is webmail? Here’s how it differs from email.
First things first.
Webmail is a cloud-based service provided by some ISPs and companies. It allows users to access their emails via a web browser without any need for software installation.
A scientist first developed a web-based email client in 1994. Hotmail came to the market two years later. In 2004, the market shifted when Gmail arrived. Today Gmail is by far the most popular web-based email client.
Since, these days, virtually every type of smartphone and computer has an email application that’s capable of connecting with a webmail account, there’s basically no reason to avoid it.
Mobile computing is the new normal. So being prepared to use email anywhere, any time is a convenience you shouldn’t be missing out on.
For those who use multiple devices or those who are often away from their computer, webmail may be a great solution.
Webmail offers a wide variety of advantages. Depending on your needs, you’re bound to resonate with one of the unique advantages. Keep reading to find out more.
Possibly the biggest advantage of webmail is that it’s free for everyone. You’ll even skip the price tag attached to Microsoft Office 365, as you can use Outlook directly on Outlook.com.
In addition, with webmail, you’ll get a bunch of resources, like an address book and calendar, to help manage daily tasks. And you don’t pay any monthly fee for these either.
Because the service is free, many services allow for anonymous sign-ups. This ensures your identity and personal details are protected.
Along with saving on fees, you’ll save on data because emails don’t have to be downloaded.
All of this means that Webmail systems are ideal for individuals and small companies that can’t afford or simply don’t want to pay for an official email service.
Another huge advantage of webmail is that users can access it with almost any device in any location.
As long as you have Internet access, you’ll be able to access web-based email.
The easiest way is to download an app for your webmail provider, which allows you to keep up with emails as you go on your smartphone. What this means is that you won’t have to carry around a laptop or even an iPad to check your emails.
If you choose the option, you’ll be notified when you receive a new email on your smartphone. You can also use a public computer, as all your emails are stored on the server until you decide to delete them.
This means that webmail is a perfect option for those who are often on a school, university or public computer. It means that, even if you’re on a different computer regularly, you’ll always be able to easily access your account and stay on top of things.
All you need is your username and password and you’ll be in.
Now we know a bit more about the advantages of webmail, it’s helpful to compare it to an email client option.
When talking about webmail vs email, keep in mind that both actually perform the same function. They allow the user to send and receive an email. The difference is that the email client service requires the user to install software onto their own computer. If the software isn’t installed, the email can’t be accessed.
Along with this, most email clients require a payment from the user. Some believe this payment helps ensure that their account is more secure. For some companies or individuals with certain confidentiality requirements, this may be necessary.
Users on webmail accounts can access their email from anywhere, no matter what device they’re on.
How it works is as follows. The webmail service will store all of your email data on their computers and storage systems. They give you a web page to use for accessing your email account. You then log in to your account from the webmail service’s webpage using your email address and password.
We’ve mentioned that the first ever webmail service was Hotmail. It was created in India by Sabir Bhatia and was later bought by Microsoft. It was very popular for a period of time.
But these days, there are many other webmail services available.
When choosing a web-based email provider, it’s important to keep in mind that you’ll want one which allows you to send and retrieve emails using an email client like Netscape Navigator or Outlook Express.
In the past, many businesses opted for an email client because of its ability to integrate with the other software they used. The good news is that today, this functionality is more available with webmail too.
In recent years, web-based services have also improved the way you receive notifications. At one point, you could only get notifications if you used downloaded email software on your computer. These days, modern web clients such as Gmail let you set up desktop notifications with a few simple steps.
At the end of the day, the choice comes down to personal preference for many people. Some simply prefer the look and feel of a desktop client.
The variety of webmail services available today means you can select one to suit your unique needs. Some of the most popular free options are Google’s Gmail, Microsoft’s Outlook.com and Yahoo Mail.
Each of these services offers the user something different. For example, Outlook has Skype Instant Messenger, Gmail has Google+ and Google Talk, and Yahoo Mail has its very own Yahoo Instant Messenger.
When talking about the web-based email definition, do we refer to all webmail accounts as the same thing?
Keep reading to find out.
Webmail accounts are often referred to as IMAP accounts because most of them use IMAP. But keep in mind that not all IMAP accounts can be used with a web browser. IMAP stands for Internet Message Access Protocol, which is simply a type of email account service.
This type of email protocol is used by many webmail services. A master copy of all emails are kept on the email service’s computers. As we know, webmail offers the freedom to access any email account using a Web browser, regardless of the type of software running the service.
In line with this, Microsoft Exchange is a common mail application used in government and business fields. But it’s not IMAP. However, Microsoft Exchange does have a webmail option, Outlook Web Access (OWA).
In terms of webmail apps for Android or Apple, remember that for both smartphones and computers, using the built-in email application on the device with your webmail account is a good idea.
It allows you to store a local copy of your email. What this means is that you can read and write email even when not connected to the Internet.
When you do connect to the Internet again, your pending messages will be sent to the recipient and new email messages will arrive in your Inbox.
No matter what device you’re on, the device will check in and will send and receive updates as soon as the device is connected to the Internet.
After reading this, you should know the answer to the question, “what is webmail?”
Now you know the differences between email client vs webmail, what are the next steps?
If you’re looking for specialists who provide professional support representatives and customer support, you’ve come to the right place. We’re committed to offering you world-class services with top-level support, no matter your specific needs.
Our experience in the field means that we understand the needs of our clients and strive to exceed their expectations. For more information about webmail, please contact us. We’re more than happy to guide you through your options to find the one that’ll suit you best.
