What is IMAP?

Email is still the number one means of communication, both for business and private purposes. With your own domain name and hosting package, you also get the opportunity to create email addresses within your package. You can then manage your email addresses via our webmail environment, but it is often decided to add them to your favorite email programs as well. When you set up your email addresses in a program, you have the choice between different protocols. For example IMAP, POP3 and Exchange. But what does IMAP actually mean and why is this protocol so useful? We explain it clearly in this blog.

For your own business, your company or your website, email is still of great value. After all, you can use it to make appointments with your customers, contact suppliers and other stakeholders in your industry and much more. If you try to contact free email addresses such as Gmail or Outlook.com, you will quickly disappear into the SPAM folder. This is because it will not be taken seriously if it is not from your own domain name.

What is the IMAP protocol and why is it important for your emails?

IMAP stands for Internet Message Access Protocol. It is a method for receiving and managing emails. Unlike POP3, where messages are usually downloaded to a device, with IMAP your emails always remain on the server.

This means that you can access the same inbox anywhere and at any time: whether you are using your laptop, smartphone or tablet.

How does this work in practice?

When you read, delete or move a message to a folder, it is immediately synchronized with the server. Do you open the same mailbox later on another device? Then you will see exactly the same changes. This makes IMAP ideal for anyone who uses multiple devices.

With most local email programs on your desktop or laptop, these changes are visible almost immediately or within a few minutes. With an email app on your cell phone, they are often processed every 15 minutes. You can often set the synchronization frequency yourself if you want it to be faster.

The advantages of IMAP

Synchronization on all your devices - the same inbox everywhere.

✅ Backup on the server - your emails are stored securely. So you can delete your email address securely and without losing data from a device or program.

✅ Retention of folders and structure - useful for business use.

✅ Real-time updates - you receive emails almost instantly, depending on the program you use.

IMAP vs. POP3

IMAP: Messages remain on the server → synchronization on all your devices.

POP3: Messages are stored locally → only visible on one device.

So for most users, IMAP is the best choice, and therefore we also recommend it to anyone who wants to set up their email address within a local program.

Within IMAP you can also synchronize the calendar with an add-on and supported mail clients, for example with the open source email client Thunderbird this is possible in the following way:

https://www.mijnhostingpartner.nl/client/knowledgebase/e-mail/agenda/smartermail-agenda-synchroniseren-met-thunderbird/

IMAP vs. Exchange via SmarterMail

In addition to IMAP, we at MijnHostingPartner.nl also offer Exchange functionality via SmarterMail. This goes one step further than standard IMAP.

With Exchange, you not only get emails, but also advanced functions such as:

📅 Share and synchronize calendars - useful for teams.

👥 Manage contacts centrally - always up-to-date on every device.

✅ To-do lists and notes - integrated into your email environment.

🔄 Seamless synchronization - ideal for business use with multiple employees.

In short: Exchange via SmarterMail is the perfect solution for companies that want more than just email and need collaboration tools in their hosting package. Thanks to the push connection, messages and appointments are also processed immediately on every device. Without having to make any further settings.

Conclusion

The IMAP protocol is ideal for anyone who wants to synchronize emails across multiple devices. For business use, where collaboration and productivity are paramount, Exchange offers even more possibilities via SmarterMail.

👉 At MijnHostingPartner.nl, you get professional email via IMAP as standard with your hosting package. Would you like to get more out of your email with calendars, contacts and team functions? Then opt for our Exchange via SmarterMail solution with an add-on to your package! Another handy feature of our Exchange solution is that you can run IMAP addresses and Exchange side by side on your domain, so you can decide which best suits your needs per e-mail address. A unique feature of our e-mail services.

Find out more about our email hosting options now and take the first step into the Internet for your company!