Emails can be one of the biggest causes of headaches that any business has to face on a daily basis, from deliverability and correct forwarding, to filters and clean-up. But it can get a little easier if you set up a catch-all email filter.
What is a Catch-All Email Filter?
We use this term to refer to a protocol that redirects all unrouted incoming emails and sends them to an existing email address or forwarding email address you choose.
Why Should I Use a Catch-All Email Filter?
Setting up the catch-all filter is the first step in preventing communication issues. Which can be invaluable if you’re a new business trying to get your first few clients. It means that a simple mistype in the first part of the email address won’t stop you from receiving it.
If your default email address is john@example.co.uk and someone sends an email to jonny@example.co.uk the email will still reach you
It can also enable you to use or give out a multitude of custom email addresses. You don’t even have to create accounts for them. Small businesses often use this as a way to look professional and well-established.
With a catch-all filter enabled, emails can be sent to addresses such as hello@example.co.uk but will still arrive at john@example.co.uk
Most admin panels will automatically send a delivery failure email to the sender if the email is sent to an unregistered address. However using this method means you won’t receive the email or know about it, until the sender sends it correctly or contacts you by other means.
What Problems Come With Setting up a Catch-All Filter?
There’s a long list of pros that come with setting up a catch-all filter for your emails, but there is only one real con. Essentially you are enabling any variation of email address for your domain to accept email, which means that spam mail can come through more often. Spam filters are good at catching most of the troublesome emails, but allowing a catch-all can increase the amount that end up reaching your inbox.
Can I Set Up a Catch-All Filter on Other Control Panel Software?
There are many other control panels for web hosting, some of which may not have the ability to set up a catch-all filter. Plesk and DirectAdmin are two alternatives that support this and can be set up with relative ease.
How to Create a Catch-All Email Filter in cpanel
Once you log in to your cPanel account, you’ll see the Tools dashboard. To start, click on the “Default Address” option, within the “Email” section (see below).
Next, you’ll see the below page. In most cases, the default settings will be set to “Discard the email”.
Change this to the “Forward to email address” option. Next, type in the email address you want all of the unrouted mail to be sent to. Before leaving the page, click the ‘change’ button to save your changes. The email you choose doesn’t have to be tied to the domain, just one that you have access to.
And just like that, you’re all set! Any new emails that get sent to any email address on your domain will be routed to your chosen email inbox. If you get stuck or have questions about setting up a catch-all email filter, reach out to us on social media or fill out our contact form today.
