The networking software that is built into your computers allows you to link up to a vast number of networks so you can enjoy shopping, reading news and sending emails at the click of a button. This is made possible through the help of protocols like your IP (Internet Protocol) address. In this article we outline Getting To Grips with Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP)
Your SMTP, otherwise known as a simple email transfer protocol, helps you send out your emails and increases brand awareness. If you don’t have this, then your emails would have nowhere to go.
If this all sounds confusing to you then please enjoy this helpful guide which will help you get to grips with SMTP.
Table of Contents
What Is SMTP?
As briefly mentioned, SMTP comes under the umbrella of your IP address. A process called store and forward is used to help you move your emails on and across different networks.
We work closely with a Mail Transfer Agent (MTA) which helps to send your communications to the right computer and email inbox.
So, to put it simply, SMTP directs how your email will move from your own computer’s MTA to another MTA on a different computer. It even has the ability to do this with several computers at one time.
Referring back to the “store and forward” feature, your message will move in planned steps from your computer to its location. SMTP is doing its job at each of these steps.
Pretty impressive, right?
What Are the Benefits?
SMTP has several useful benefits. One of the more obvious ones is the fact that it provides the simplest form of communicating through email messages.
This is vital if you own a business, as email marketing campaigns can help your company reach out to a wider clientele and in turn generate more revenue and leads. Without emails, email marketing would cease to exist.
Although it may sound complicated, SMTP is developed from a simple platform, so email messages can be sent out quickly and easily. Why send a letter through the post when an email can be sent and received within a matter of seconds.
This can be hugely beneficial for large companies who operate online as it allows them to send out emails quickly to their customer base and often on a large scale.
If you send a text message or letter and it is unsuccessfully delivered, the chances are, your message will not get sent to where it needs to go. One of the great things about SMPT is its reliability.
Even if your email is not successfully sent the first time, your server will always do its job and try to re-send the same email until the transmission becomes successful.
When it comes to SMTP, there are dedicated servers that companies can use to help them handle their outgoing messages. They can be configured to handle very important and sensitive email messages between your network and others.
Setting Up an SMTP Server
Setting up an SMTP server can often be a difficult task but luckily for you there are plenty of resources online that can help you with a few simple steps.
The internet is also a great resource for helping you find a Free SMTP server. It can be useful to try out a free server, so you are not committed to using it if you find that you need a server that will allow you to send more emails. It also means you don’t have to pay out for a service straight away.
It is important to note that if you have little knowledge on SMTP, then setting up your own server can take you a matter of hours, days or even weeks so it is advised that you do your research and use the resources online that are readily available to you.
Setting up your SMTP server correctly can be detrimental to your business if you are looking to reach a wider clientele.
Why Do You Need an SMTP Server?
Often, we click the “send” button on an email but then have no idea what happens to it on its journey. When you click send your email gets automatically converted into a string of codes that are then transferred to your SMTP server.
Without it, your email code will be floating around like a star in space. Your SMTP server processes these codes accordingly and relays the email to the correct address.
Not only does your SMTP relay your messages, but it also checks whether an active or working email account is sending the outgoing message.
This can help you identify whether you have got the incorrect email address from someone, and your server then has the ability to block this email for you if it is in fact wrong.
While SMTP may sound simple, it is hugely effective and can be crucial for your business, particularly if your digital marketing strategy includes email marketing.
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