How to use email

Introduction

Email is short for ‘electronic mail’. Similar to a letter, it is sent via the internet to a recipient.

An email address is required to receive email, and that address is unique to the user. Some people use internet-based applications and some use programs on their computer to access and store emails.

You can use email on your computer, tablet or smartphone. It allows you to send messages or photos to people all around the world, at any time of the day.

When it comes to choosing an email account, there are lots of options. Most internet service providers (ISPs) offer email addresses with a broadband account and some offer more than one email address so that members of the family can set up separate email accounts through the main internet account.

However, quite a few people like internet or web-based email accounts called ‘webmail’ because of their flexibility. They allow you to view and send email on a dedicated website that can be accessed from anywhere rather than just from your home computer. Once sign-up is complete, you’ll be able to log into your account with your new username/email address and password and start emailing.