You have a new business, maybe it’s your first business ever, but you’re not necessarily inclined to build a website for it. As unthinkable as that might be in the digital age, can you get away with just using a gmail or yahoo account? Why would a professional account matter?
In all honesty, whatever platform you choose to communicate is really up to you, However; imagine showing up to a job interview wearing a banana costume. Sure, it might make a lasting impression, but not necessarily the one you’re hoping for. The same goes for your business email address. When it comes to email communication, your email address is often the first thing that people see. So, should you use a professional email account or stick with a Gmail or Yahoo account?
I don’t want to sugarcoat it: using a Gmail or Yahoo account for your business is like showing up to a job interview in a banana costume. It lacks the professionalism and credibility that a custom email address can offer. Think about it this way: Would you rather receive an email from john.doe@gmail.com or john.doe@yourcompany.com? The answer is clear, right?
Having a professional email address can give your business the edge it needs to stand out in a crowded market. It’s a simple and effective way to enhance your brand image, builds trust and it communicates your dedication to you clients and the best part? You don’t even need a website to have a professional email account! Many email hosting services allow you to create custom email addresses for your business without the need for a website.
Another perk of using a professional email account is increased security. Free services like Gmail, Outlook and Yahoo are like carrying around a briefcase full of cash, with no lock – not the best idea and they are often easy targets for malware and spammers. If you plan on using email marketing, your free email account will be often be flagged as spam, so making it more likely your customers and you will miss an opportunity to engage and a lost opprotunity for positive revenue gains. With a professional email account, you have more control over your security settings and can ensure that your business communications are protected and get to your clients inbox, so your less likely to leave money on the table.
In conclusion, using a professional email account for your business is a must, even if you don’t have a website. It adds credibility, enhances your brand image, and provides increased security. So why not make the switch today and show the world that you’re a serious player, not just someone in a banana suit.”
Ok I Get It, Now What?
Choosing a professional email hosting service can be daunting, but it’s important to select one that will meet your needs and requirements. Here are some of the key factors to consider:
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Configuration and Compatibility: It’s important to choose an email hosting service that is compatible with your devices and email clients. The service should offer easy configuration options for popular email clients such as Outlook, Gmail, or Apple Mail.
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Mobility factors: In today’s world, people need to be able to access their email from anywhere, on any device. A professional email hosting service should offer mobile-friendly interfaces or applications to enable users to manage their email on the go.
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Security and Privacy: Email security is of utmost importance to protect sensitive and confidential information. A professional email hosting service should offer robust security features such as encryption, two-factor authentication, spam filtering, and anti-virus and phishing detection.
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Pricing: The cost of email hosting varies greatly depending on the provider, the number of email accounts, and the level of service offered. It’s important to choose a service that fits within your budget while still providing the necessary features and functionality.
Here are the top 10 most popular professional email hosting services and their links to their websites:
Google Workspace (formerly G Suite) – https://workspace.google.com/
Pros: Powerful suite of productivity and collaboration tools, excellent integration with Google services, good spam filtering and anti-virus protection, 24/7 support.
Cons: No free plan, lacks some advanced email features such as email archiving.
Microsoft 365 (formerly Office 365) – https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/
Pros: Excellent integration with Microsoft Office, powerful collaboration tools, good spam filtering and anti-virus protection, 24/7 support.
Cons: Can be expensive for small businesses, limited storage capacity on lower tier plans.
Zoho Workplace – https://www.zoho.com/workplace/
Pros: Affordable pricing, good integration with other Zoho apps, mobile-friendly, includes basic project management tools.
Cons: Limited storage for some plans, no two-factor authentication on the basic plan.
ProtonMail – https://protonmail.com/
Pros: End-to-end encryption for maximum privacy, user-friendly interface, free plan available.
Cons: Limited storage for free plan, no custom domain support on free plan.
Rackspace – https://www.rackspace.com/email-hosting
Pros: Affordable pricing, good spam filtering and anti-virus protection, 24/7 support.
Cons: Limited features for some plans, no free plan available.
FastMail – https://www.fastmail.com/
Pros: Good spam filtering and anti-virus protection, excellent mobile app, customizable interface.
Cons: No free plan available, limited storage capacity for some plans.
Bluehost – https://www.bluehost.com/email
Pros: Affordable pricing, includes web hosting, easy to use interface.
Cons: Limited features for some plans, no mobile app available.
GoDaddy – https://www.godaddy.com/email/professional-email
Pros: Affordable pricing, includes web hosting, easy to use interface.
Cons: Limited features for some plans, limited storage capacity for some plans.
HostGator – https://www.hostgator.com/apps/email-hosting
Pros: Affordable pricing, includes web hosting, good spam filtering and anti-virus protection.
Cons: Limited features on some plans, limited storage capacity on others.
DreamHost – https://www.dreamhost.com/email/
Pros: Affordable pricing, includes web hosting, good spam filtering and anti-virus protection, unlimited storage for all plans.
Cons: No mobile app available, limited customer support options.
I try to make sure the information I’ve provided is up to date and accurate. However; please note pricing and offerings from the above providers is subject change. I am not affiliated or sponsored by any of above mentioned companies.
