How to Set Up a Free Email Account

 

 

Though there are many different free email account providers, most people choose one of three major brands, which include Google’s Gmail, Microsoft’s Hotmail, and Yahoo! Mail. Each of these services provides all of the common email functions, including: sending and receiving email, saving and archiving email messages, and managing an email address book. For most people, any one of these providers will be just fine.

 

 

Before signing up for an email address, choose a good password in advance. Though many people use the same password for many different online accounts, this practice should be avoided. After you’ve chosen your password, write it down and store it in a secure place where no one will find it.

 

 

Now visit your chosen email provider. Find and click the link that says “Sign Up” or “Create a New Account.” Each provider is a little bit different, but they will all ask you to input your chosen email name, your chosen password, and some personal information.

 

First, the email name you choose will be used to form your email address. If you choose “JohnDoe” for your email name, for example, then “JohnDoe@gmail.com” would be your Gmail address. You can have any name as long as it hasn’t already been chosen. The sign-up page will immediately indicate whether your chosen name is available. You may have to try a few times before finding an available name.

 

Next, the sign-up form will ask you to input your true name, gender, birth date, and location. Though you need not answer these questions truthfully, if you plan to use your new email account to communicate with friends and family, it’s best if you enter your real name because this will be shown on all emails that you send.

 

Finally, when you have completed the sign-up form, enter your password in the appropriate box and click the “Create My Account” link. You will then be taken to your inbox where you can start sending and receiving emails.