An automatic reply lets senders know that you are unavailable, for example while you are on holiday. Learn how to set the message and schedule in webmail.
Who is this guide for?
This guide applies exclusively to Essential Mail included with Basis Hosting on the new Webland platform (WHMCS).
Do you use the System Configurator or Domain Manager? Sign in at classic.webland.ch and open the webmail for your email service there. The steps below do not apply to the classic platform or other email products.
Requirements
You have an active Essential Mail mailbox on the new Webland platform.
You know the mailbox’s full email address and password.
To open webmail through the client area, you have access to the associated email service.
The automatic reply applies only to the mailbox where you configure it. Set it up separately for any additional mailboxes.
1. Open webmail
Sign in to the client area and open Services.
Find the relevant Email Hosting service.
Click View Details.
Under Account Details, click Open Webmail.
This opens the webmail sign-in page.
2. Sign in to webmail
Sign in using your full email address and mailbox password.
Use your mailbox password, not your Webland client area password.
3. Configure the out-of-office message
Open Settings in webmail.
Select Vacation.
Enter a subject, such as “Out of office”.
Write your message. For example, explain when you will be available again and who can help with urgent enquiries.
Set the start date and time.
Set the end date and time.
Set Status to On.
Check that the end time is later than the start time.
4. Review advanced settings and save
Under Advanced Settings, you can configure the following options:
Setting | Meaning |
From address | The sender address used for automatic replies. Use the default address unless you need another appropriate sender address. |
Reply interval in days | Determines how many days must pass before the same sender can receive another automatic reply. Not every message from the same sender receives a reply. |
Action for incoming messages | Selecting Keep retains incoming messages in the mailbox. |
Leave Keep selected if you want to read and handle incoming emails later.
Then click Save. Webmail confirms that the vacation rule has been saved. With its status switched on, the rule applies during the scheduled period.
5. Test the automatic reply
During the scheduled period, send a message to your mailbox from another email address. Check that the automatic reply reaches the sender.
When testing again, consider the configured reply interval: the same sender may not receive another response until that interval has passed.
6. Turn off automatic replies
To disable the out-of-office message before the scheduled end:
Open Settings → Vacation.
Set Status to Off.
Click Save.
If an end date and time are correctly configured, automatic replies stop when the scheduled period ends.
Frequently asked questions and troubleshooting
No automatic reply is sent.
Check that:
You configured the rule in the correct mailbox.
The status is On.
The current time falls within the scheduled period.
You saved the settings.
The sender has not already received an automatic reply within the configured interval.
Also check the sender’s spam or junk folder.
Will my incoming emails be retained?
With Keep selected, incoming messages continue to be stored in the mailbox.
I cannot sign in to webmail.
Check your full email address and mailbox password. If you no longer know the password, follow the guide “Essential Hosting: Changing Your Email Password”.