An Internet Service Provider (ISP) serves as a gateway to the Internet. Email accounts are among the services they provide to their customers. For some people, however, this is not a desirable option. Some individuals may want a more professional email address, one that reflects their company or line of work. Others may need more mailbox space than their ISP provides. There are a number of ways to bypass ISP email.
Step 1
Use a free Web-based email service -- webmail -- as your primary email. Many free webmail services exist that offer a wide array of features. As of the time of publication, the top three have 28.7 percent of the entire email market, according to Campaign Monitor. Because webmail does not rely on any one ISP, it can effectively be used to bypass your ISP's email and can be accessed from virtually anywhere.
Step 2
Use a commercial email service. Commercial email services, like webmail services, have the advantage of being accessible from virtually anywhere. Because they are a paid service, commercial email services are able to offer additional features that free services are often unable to. For example, while free email providers often limit you to webmail access, commercial providers are more likely to offer access via email programs. Larger mailbox limits are another advantage that commercial providers usually offer.
Step 3
Set up your own website. A number of hosting providers that will host your website for as little as a few dollars a month. Email addresses that reflect your domain name are one advantage of hosting your own website. Rather than "yourname@yourisp.com" your email could be "yourname@yourdomainname.com." Because the website is hosted by a third party, your email address completely bypasses your ISP and will remain the same even if you change your ISP.
References
- Campaign Monitor; Email Client Popularity; June 2011
Photo Credits
- Photodisc/Photodisc/Getty Images