Beginning October 2008, all new BIG Folio websites are configured to use Google Apps Standard Edition for email. We feel Google Apps provides a superior email experience for several reasons–we even use it here at BIG Folio. Here's why you'll love Google Apps for email:

• No additional cost
• Over 7GB of storage space per account
• Wonderful webmail interface (just like GMail)
• IMAP and POP access using your favorite email client
• Superior spam filtering

How does the process work?

We'll handle all of the initial configuration that's required to get Google Apps working with your site and domain. Here's a quick rundown of the process:

When you purchase a new BIG Folio site:

• We create the necessary records on our name servers that will direct email to Google Apps
• If you have an existing site and email service, it will continue to work normally (nothing happens until your site is live on our server)
• If you don't have an existing site on your domain, we will create your Google Apps account and forward you access information

When you're ready for your BIG Folio site to go live:

• We'll create your Google Apps account and forward you access information
• You can begin creating email accounts
• You can then make your BIG Folio site live

Once your BIG Folio site is live:

• We'll help verify your domain with Google Apps and mail services will begin working

How do I create email accounts?

Once your Google Apps account has been created, you can manage email for your domain using their web-based control panel. The control panel will be located at the following address:

https://www.google.com/a/cpanel/mydomain.com

Where mydomain.com should be replaced with the domain of your website. Once you have signed-in (using your primary account name), you can create additional email accounts, nicknames (aliases), and email lists (addresses that forward to multiple accounts).

How do I use webmail?

You can access webmail for any account on your domain by visiting the following address:

http://mail.google.com/a/mydomain.com

Where mydomain.com should be replaced with the domain of your website.

How do I check mail using an email client?

Google Apps/Gmail supports POP and IMAP access using your favorite email client on both Windows and Apple computers. We recommend IMAP access. To setup your email client:

• Sign-in to your email account and select Settings
• Select the Forwarding and POP/IMAP tab
• Enable POP and/or IMAP access for your account
• Visit Google's IMAP or POP configuration instructions for details on configuring your email client

How do I get additional help?

Google Apps provides extensive online help with email setup and configuration.

Common help topics:

• Using email lists
• Setup mail on Apple's iPhone