Hello, I am new to Zencart and new to computer programming in general. I suffered through setting up a very basic information based website for my company using Dreamweaver and I am ready to start selling products online.

Zencart was the most highly recommended so I went with it. I set it up using simple scripts though my host, bluehost, and I bought the Estart your webstore with zencart book.

I am slowly setting up the store and customizing things, but I am confused when I get to the part about setting up my mail accounts.

" Besides enabling the sending of emails, Zen Cart needs to connect to a mail server in order to send emails. To specify
the connection settings to a mail server, concentrate on the following fields on the E-Mail Options screen. Use the settings in the following table to specify the mail server settings for your local Zen Cart store to connect to the local Mercury mail server you created in Chapter 2. "

Since I used simple scripts instead of setting it up myself like the book shows, I never created a mail server, nor do I think I have one. I have used a Gmail address for my store as long as Ive been around and Id like to continue using it.

Is there a way I can make Gmail my go to email site with Zencart? Can I get Gmail to send out the confirmation emails and newsletters, as well as take in orders from customers?

Do I need to set up a "mail server"? I dont know what this means, but like everything Ive been up to lately, I can follow simple instructions to get me there.

Do I already have a mail server that I can use through my host? If so, I can start bugging them to help me set it up.

Any advice on the issue will be greatly appreciated. Ive been looking around for a while and it seems my question is almost too simplistic. I think that's a good thing though.

- Kyle