All standards-compliant e-mail software will allow you the option to store messages on the mail server. In fact, accounts created in Apple Mail are set to store messages on the server for seven days by default. We recommend that messages are not stored on the server. There are three exceptions. Exception 1 - You are accessing your e-mail through the webmail interface If you are accessing your e-mail account exclusively through the webmail interface (mail.yourdomain.com) then the message on the server is the only copy of the e-mail message you will see. Delete messages through the webmail interface when they are no longer useful to you, keeping in mind that your account will allow you to store the maximum number of messages as allowed per the subscribed account size. Exception 2 - You are accessing your e-mail from more than one computer If you are accessing your e-mail account from more than one computer (for example at work and at home) then each computer needs to leave a copy of the message on the server so the message is available from all locations. We recommend setting your software to remove messages after 5 days. Exception 3 - You are accessing your e-mail using the IMAP protocol The IMAP protocol requires that e-mail messages are stored on the mail server. Deleting individual messages through your IMAP-enabled e-mail software also deletes the message from the mail server. Think of your IMAP account as a window to the mail server. Any action you perform on the e-mail message in your IMAP-enabled e-mail software directly affects the message on the mail server. When considering which incoming mail protocol to use (IMAP or POP), you will need to weigh your options for what is most important to you as an individual managing your mailbox or as a company. Either incoming mail protocol will work with the mailboxes we host for you!