To create an email account in cPanel, log in to your control panel and navigate to Email Accounts under the Email section. Click the Create button, enter your desired username (anything except 'cpanel'), select your domain if you have multiple domains, set a strong password, configure your storage quota, and click Create to finish. Your new email address will be ready to use immediately.
Accessing the Email Accounts Interface
Before you can create an email account, you need to access the right area in cPanel. Log in to your cPanel account and look for the Email section on your dashboard. Click on Email Accounts to open the interface where you can manage all your email addresses.
If you have multiple domains or subdomains on your OBHost account, you will see a domain selector menu. This lets you choose which domain you want to create the email account for. If you only see one domain, this menu will not appear.
Creating Your New Email Account
Once you are in the Email Accounts interface, click the Create button to start setting up your new email address. A new screen will appear with several fields to fill out.
Choosing Your Email Username
Enter the username you want for your email address in the Username field. This will be the part that comes before the @ symbol. For example, if you enter 'support', your email address will be support@yourdomain.com.
Keep in mind that you cannot use 'cpanel' as a username. This is reserved by the system. Choose something descriptive and easy to remember, like 'info', 'contact', 'sales', or your own name.
Selecting Your Domain
If you manage multiple domains through your hosting account, use the Domain dropdown menu to select which domain this email account should belong to. This option only appears if you have set up additional domains, subdomains, or domain aliases on your account.
If you do not see the domain you want to use, check your domain configuration. Look for the Missing a Domain section on the right side of the interface, which provides links to manage subdomains and domain aliases.
Setting a Secure Password
In the Security section, you have two main options for setting your password. You can either set your own password or let the system generate one for you.
If you choose to set your own password, enter it in the Password field. A strong password should include a mix of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and special symbols. Avoid using dictionary words or personal information. The system will evaluate your password strength on a scale from 0 to 100, where 0 represents a weak password and 100 indicates a very secure one.
For convenience, you can click the reveal icon (the eye symbol) to see the password you typed. This helps ensure you entered it correctly.
Alternatively, click the Generate button to have cPanel create a strong random password for you. The system will automatically display this generated password so you can copy it. You can also click the settings icon to adjust password complexity requirements when generating passwords.
Some hosting providers require passwords to meet a minimum strength score. If your OBHost account has this requirement, you must create a password that meets or exceeds the required score.
Configuring Storage Quota
After setting your password, you need to decide how much storage space this email account can use. You can choose from three options: unlimited storage (if your plan allows it), a specific quota in megabytes, or inherit the default quota set by your hosting plan.
If you select a specific quota, enter the amount in megabytes. Consider how much email this account will receive and whether it will store large attachments. For most business email accounts, 1000 to 5000 MB (1 to 5 GB) provides plenty of space.
Optional Settings
Depending on your cPanel configuration, you may see additional optional settings. These might include the ability to automatically reply to incoming emails, forward messages to another address, or enable spam filtering. You can configure these settings now or add them later after creating the account.
Completing the Setup
Once you have filled in all the required fields, review your settings to make sure everything is correct. Pay special attention to the username and domain to ensure your email address is exactly what you want. When you are satisfied, click the Create button at the bottom of the form.
The system will create your new email account immediately. You will see a confirmation message, and your new email address will appear in the list of email accounts. You can now configure email clients like Outlook, Thunderbird, or your smartphone's mail app to send and receive messages using this account.
After Creating Your Email Account
After your email account is created, you can access it in several ways. You can use webmail by clicking the Check Email link next to your account in the Email Accounts list. This opens a web-based email interface where you can read and send messages from any browser.
You can also set up the account in desktop email programs or mobile devices. To do this, you will need your email address, password, and mail server settings. These settings are available in the Email Accounts interface by clicking the Connect Devices link next to your account.
Managing Existing Email Accounts
The Email Accounts interface also lets you manage accounts you have already created. You can change passwords, adjust storage quotas, set up email forwarding, configure automatic replies, and delete accounts you no longer need. Each email account in the list has action buttons that provide access to these management functions.
You can also check how much storage space each account is using. This information appears as a progress bar or percentage next to each account, helping you monitor usage and adjust quotas before accounts run out of space.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do if my chosen username is already taken?
If you receive an error message saying the username already exists, try a variation of the name. You can add numbers, underscores, or additional words to make it unique. For example, if 'sales' is taken, try 'sales2024' or 'sales_info'. Each email address on a domain must be unique.
How many email accounts can I create?
The number of email accounts you can create depends on your hosting plan. Some plans offer unlimited email accounts, while others have a specific limit. Check your plan details or contact OBHost support to find out your account limits. You can also see your current usage in the Email Accounts interface.
Can I change an email account password after creating it?
Yes, you can change the password for any email account at any time. In the Email Accounts interface, find the account you want to modify and click the Password button or gear icon next to it. Enter a new password and save the changes. Remember to update the password in any email programs or devices that use this account.
What happens if an email account reaches its storage quota?
When an email account reaches its storage limit, it cannot receive new messages. Senders will receive bounce-back notifications saying the mailbox is full. To fix this, you can either delete old emails from the account to free up space, or increase the storage quota in the Email Accounts interface. Consider setting up email forwarding or auto-deletion rules to prevent accounts from filling up.
If you need help creating email accounts or have questions about email settings, our support team is available 24/7 to assist you. Visit our contact page or email us at support@obhost.org for personalized guidance.
