What is an alternative e-mail address?

Would you like to know what an alternative e-mail address is and when it makes sense to use one? You can find this and much more about alternative e-mail addresses in this article.

What is an alternative e-mail address?

As a Hostpoint e-mail user, you have the option of creating alternative e-mail addresses (also called e-mail aliases) in addition to your actual (primary) e-mail address. An alternative e-mail address is an additional e-mail address that is linked to your primary e-mail address and uses the same inbox and settings. This means that e-mails sent to an alternative e-mail address end up in your primary e-mail address’ inbox.

What are the benefits of an alternative e-mail address?

• Multiple roles within a company: Alternative e-mail addresses are particularly useful in smaller companies in which one person holds several roles.
  
  Example: You are a sole trader and take care of your own accounting and sales. In addition to your primary e-mail address This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., you use the two alternative e-mail addresses This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. All messages end up in your primary email address’ inbox.
  
  
• Multiple people working in a mailbox: Several company employees work together in a department’s mailbox.
  
  Example: The e-mail address This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. has the alternative e-mail addresses This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. For example, the individuals “Smith” and “Doe” can work in the same mailbox with two different sender and recipient addresses, and the primary e-mail address is not visible to external persons.
  
  
• Preventing spam: Unfortunately, publicly visible e-mail addresses are often misused for spam. An alternative e-mail address can be deleted after use, meaning that no more messages will be sent to that e-mail address. This is useful, for example, when participating in competitions or surveys.
  
  
• Separating messages: Alternate e-mail addresses allow you to use different e-mail addresses to communicate with different people and organizations (e.g. family and friends, employers).

How do I create an alternative e-mail address?

You can easily and conveniently create an alternative e-mail address in the Hostpoint Control Panel. Follow this guide to do this.

How do I send e-mails with an alternative e-mail address?

When sending e-mails, the alternative e-mail address can also be used as the sender. In this case, the recipient will only see your alternative e-mail address and not your primary e-mail address. You can find out how this works in this article.

What is the difference to e-mail forwarding?

In e-mail forwarding, e-mails sent to one e-mail address are forwarded as copies to a second e-mail address, meaning they are two independent e-mail accounts and mailboxes. This is particularly suitable as a temporary solution for holiday cover, for example.

What is the difference to a catch-all address?

With a catch-all address, all e-mails addressed to a domain can be received – even if the specific e-mail address does not exist. This can also be used to receive e-mails where the sender has, for example, mistyped something (e.g. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. instead of This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.). The downside of this feature is that the majority of emails received are usually spam.