Many people only access GMail though a web browser (Safari, Chrome, Firefox, etc) but it is often far better to access it through an email app, like (Apple) Mail or Outlook. To use this option, you need to allow IMAP or POP access from the settings in the web version of GMail first. To do this, follow these steps...
In a web browser, log in to gmail.com, using your email address and password. Click the cog icon near top-right. Click "See All Settings". Click "Forwarding and POP/IMAP". Click "Enable IMAP". Click "Save". Now create the account in your email app in the usual way. Now your GMail messages can be read and sent through the email app instead of the web.