What are Autoresponders?
Autoresponders automatically send a pre-written reply to anyone who emails a specific address. They're perfect for vacation messages, acknowledgment of receipt, or providing instant information.
Creating an Autoresponder
Step 1: Access Autoresponders
- Log in to your cPanel account
- Navigate to the "Email" section
- Click on "Autoresponders"
Step 2: Add Autoresponder
- Click "Add Autoresponder" button
- Fill in the configuration form
Step 3: Create
- Review all settings
- Click "Create/Modify"
- Autoresponder is now active
Configuration Settings
Character Set
Usually leave as utf-8 (supports all languages)
Interval (Hours)
How often to send autoresponse to same person:
- • 0 = send every time (not recommended)
- • 1-8 hours = for active monitoring
- • 24+ hours = for out-of-office messages
Select the email address that triggers the autoresponder
From
Your name or company name - appears as sender of autoresponse
Subject
Subject line of automatic response (e.g., "Out of Office", "We received your message")
HTML
Check this to use HTML formatting in your message (bold, links, images). Plain text if unchecked.
Body
The actual message content. Keep it concise and informative.
Start/Stop (Optional)
Set specific date range for autoresponder. Automatically starts and stops. Perfect for scheduled vacations.
Example Autoresponder Messages
Out of Office Message
Subject: Out of Office
Thank you for your email. I am currently out of the office with limited access to email from December 20-27, 2025. I will respond to your message as soon as possible upon my return.
For urgent matters, please contact:
Jane Smith: jane@company.com
Phone: (555) 123-4567
Best regards,
John Doe
Acknowledgment of Receipt
Subject: We Received Your Message
Thank you for contacting Example Company. We have received your message and one of our team members will respond within 24 business hours.
In the meantime, you may find these resources helpful:
- Knowledge Base: https://example.com/help
- FAQs: https://example.com/faq
Thank you for your patience!
The Example Company Team
Sales Inquiry Response
Subject: Thank You for Your Interest
Thank you for your interest in our products! A sales representative will contact you within 2 business hours.
While you wait, feel free to:
- Browse our product catalog: https://example.com/products
- Download our pricing guide: https://example.com/pricing.pdf
We look forward to working with you!
Sales Team
Managing Autoresponders
Edit Autoresponder
- Find the autoresponder in the list
- Click "Edit"
- Modify settings as needed
- Click "Create/Modify" to save
Disable Temporarily
- • Edit the autoresponder
- • Set a past stop date
- • Or delete and recreate when needed
Delete Autoresponder
- Find the autoresponder in the list
- Click "Delete"
- Confirm deletion
Common Use Cases
Vacation/Out of Office
- • Most common use case
- • Set specific start/stop dates
- • Include return date and emergency contact
Support Ticket Acknowledgment
- • Confirms receipt of support request
- • Provides ticket number or reference
- • Sets expectations for response time
Event Registration
- • Confirms registration received
- • Provides event details
- • Includes preparation instructions
Newsletter Subscription
- • Welcomes new subscribers
- • Provides next steps or first issue
- • Links to preferences or profile
Troubleshooting
Autoresponder Not Sending
- • Verify autoresponder is enabled
- • Check start/stop dates aren't excluding current date
- • Ensure interval hasn't prevented response
- • Confirm email account exists and works
Sending Too Many Responses
- • Increase the interval hours
- • Check for email loops (two autoresponders replying to each other)
- • Consider adding conditions via email filters
Formatting Issues
- • If HTML doesn't display, check HTML checkbox is enabled
- • Test with different email clients
- • Keep HTML simple for best compatibility
Security Considerations
- • Autoresponders reply to spam, confirming active address
- • Don't include sensitive info in autoresponses
- • Be cautious about sharing personal schedule details
Best Practices
Professional Tone
- • Use professional, friendly language
- • Check spelling and grammar
- • Keep message concise
Provide Alternatives
- • Include alternative contact methods
- • Mention colleagues who can help
- • Link to self-service resources
Use Start/Stop Dates
- • Schedule vacation autoresponders in advance
- • Automatically stop when you return
- • No need to remember to disable
Test Your Autoresponder
- • Send a test email from another account
- • Verify message content and formatting
- • Check links work correctly
