Getting Started Guide - Auto Responders

What are auto-responders
The Auto Responder Text File
Rules For Creating Auto-Responders

Whether you are responding to the same type of email on a daily basis or you would just like to add an automatic response to emails sent to a specific email address, you can accomplish such a task using the "autoresponder".

An autoresponder will send a standard response email message (based on text you specify) to anyone who sends an email to a specific email address (which you specify) at the time of setup through the Control Panel.

The Autoresponder text file

Before you start using Autoresponders, you must create Autoresponder text files and upload them to the root directory on your Web server using an FTP utility or Front Page.

When someone sends an email message to an Autoresponder account, the system automatically sends a reply message containing that text file.

Note: If you use Front Page extensions, you should use Front Page to place the .txt files in your root directory of your Web server.

Important: If the Autoresponder section of your Configure Email screen contains a Browse button, you do not use FTP or Front Page to upload files. To upload files using the Browse button, create the file on your local drive, then access the Configure Email screen.

In the Autoresponders section, click on the Browse button to select the file from your local hard drive. When you click Change, the screen refreshes and the system uploads your .txt file.

If your Configure Email screen contains a Browse button with the Autoresponders feature, all of your .txt files must contain unique file names. If you upload a .txt file with a name that matches a file previously uploaded, the new file over-writes the previous file.
 

Rules for creating Auto-responders

The following simple rules should be kept in mind when setting up Autoresponders:

Invalid characters are not allowed in any fields under the @your-domain.com or User Id columns on this screen. Invalid characters include the following:

! @ # $ % ^ & * ( ) + | } { \ ] [ " / ? >

The system rejects the entry if you use them. If you type invalid characters in the Configure Email screen and click Change, an error message appears.

You can only use a specific email address or User ID once. For example, you cannot create an Autoresponder account for an email address called "Sales" and then set up a POP account for "Sales."

If you try to use the same email address in the @your_domain field or type the same information in more than one User ID field of the Configure Email screen, the following error message appears:

(name) already on file -- please enter a unique (name).

If you see an error message for duplicate entries or invalid characters, click the Back button on your browser and type valid information in the fields; then click Change to update the system.