An auto-responder sends an automatic reply to anyone who emails you, which is perfect for holidays, busy periods, or confirming that a message was received. cPanel makes this easy.
Creating an Auto-Responder
- Log in to cPanel
- Go to Email → Autoresponders
- Click Add Autoresponder
- Fill in the form:
- Email: select the address that should auto-reply
- From / Subject: e.g.
Out of Office - Body: your message
- Start / Stop: set the dates you are away
- Click Create
A Good Out-of-Office Message
Thank you for your email. I am currently out of the office until 5 July with limited access to email. For urgent matters, please call +254 7XX XXXXXX or contact my colleague at support@yourdomain.co.ke. I will reply on my return.
Tips for Auto-Responders
- Always set a Stop date so the responder turns itself off
- Give an alternative contact for urgent issues
- Keep it professional and brief
- Avoid sharing too much detail about your absence publicly
Turning It Off Early
Return to Email → Autoresponders, find the entry, and click Delete or edit the stop time.
Note: Auto-responders reply once per sender within a set window to avoid spamming people who email you repeatedly.