Documentation Menu
1. Creating Email Accounts
With SillyHost hosting, you can create professional email addresses using your domain name (e.g., hello@yourdomain.co.uk).
Open DirectAdmin
Log into DirectAdmin from your SillyHost dashboard and navigate to E-mail Accounts.
Create a new account
Click "Create Account", enter the username (the part before the @), set a strong password, and optionally set a mailbox quota.
Start using your email
Your email account is active immediately. You can use webmail or configure a desktop/mobile client.
2. Webmail Access
Webmail lets you read and send email from any web browser, no software installation needed. Access it at:
https://yourdomain.co.uk/webmail
# Or via DirectAdmin > Webmail
SillyHost includes Roundcube webmail, which provides a modern, responsive interface with features like message search, folders, contacts, and attachment handling.
3. Configuring Email Clients
Use the following settings to configure your email in any desktop or mobile mail client:
Incoming Mail (IMAP - recommended)
Server: mail.yourdomain.co.uk
Port: 993 (SSL/TLS)
Username: your full email address
Security: SSL/TLS
Outgoing Mail (SMTP)
Server: mail.yourdomain.co.uk
Port: 465 (SSL/TLS) or 587 (STARTTLS)
Username: your full email address
Authentication: Required
Client-Specific Tips
Microsoft Outlook
Go to File > Add Account > Manual Setup. Choose IMAP and enter the settings above. For Office 365 / new Outlook, use "Other email" and enter your credentials.
Mozilla Thunderbird
Thunderbird often auto-detects settings. If not, go to Account Settings > Account Actions > Add Mail Account and enter your details manually.
Apple Mail (macOS / iOS)
Go to Settings > Mail > Add Account > Other. Enter your name, email address, and password. For iOS, go to Settings > Mail > Accounts > Add Account > Other.
Gmail (Check mail from other accounts)
In Gmail, go to Settings > Accounts > Check mail from other accounts. Add your SillyHost email using POP3 settings (port 995, SSL). You can also set Gmail to send as your custom domain address.
4. IMAP vs POP3
Both are protocols for receiving email, but they work differently:
| Feature | IMAP | POP3 |
|---|---|---|
| Emails stored on | Server | Your device |
| Syncs across devices | Yes | No |
| Uses server storage | Yes | Minimal |
| Best for | Multiple devices | Single device / archiving |
| Port (SSL) | 993 | 995 |
Tip: We recommend IMAP for most users. It keeps your email in sync across your phone, tablet, and computer.
5. SPF, DKIM, and DMARC Setup
These DNS records help prevent email spoofing and improve deliverability. Without them, your emails may end up in spam folders.
SPF (Sender Policy Framework)
SPF specifies which mail servers are allowed to send email on behalf of your domain. Add this TXT record to your DNS:
Type: TXT
Name: @
Value: v=spf1 include:_spf.sillyhost.co.uk ~all
DKIM (DomainKeys Identified Mail)
DKIM adds a digital signature to your outgoing emails. The DKIM record is usually generated automatically by DirectAdmin. Check DirectAdmin > DKIM for your specific record value.
DMARC (Domain-based Message Authentication)
DMARC tells receiving servers what to do if SPF or DKIM checks fail. A basic DMARC record:
Type: TXT
Name: _dmarc
Value: v=DMARC1; p=quarantine; rua=mailto:dmarc@yourdomain.co.uk
Info: If your domain's DNS is managed by SillyHost (via Cloudflare), we set up basic SPF and DKIM records automatically when you create your first email account.
6. Spam Filtering
SillyHost includes SpamAssassin spam filtering on all hosting plans. It automatically scans incoming email and marks suspected spam.
To configure spam settings:
- Go to DirectAdmin > Spam Filters
- Enable SpamAssassin if it is not already active
- Adjust the spam score threshold (default is 5 -- lower is stricter)
- Choose what to do with spam: move to spam folder, add a prefix to the subject, or delete
7. Email Forwarding
You can forward email from your domain address to any other email address (e.g., forward info@yourdomain.co.uk to your Gmail account).
- Go to DirectAdmin > E-mail Accounts
- Click on the email account you want to forward
- Enter the forwarding address in the "Forward to" field
- Choose whether to keep a copy on the server or forward only
8. Autoresponders
Autoresponders send an automatic reply when someone emails you -- useful for out-of-office messages or acknowledging inquiries.
- Go to DirectAdmin > Autoresponders
- Select the email account
- Write your automatic reply message
- Optionally set start and end dates (for vacation messages)
- Save and activate
Tip: Remember to disable your autoresponder when you return. Leaving it on indefinitely can be confusing for people who email you regularly.