In today's business world it is clear that the most important tool that a business
can have is email. Given that fact, it is incredible to think that some businesses
still use a free email service. The reason for my concern lies within that "fine
print". I know that the "fine print" is often overlooked by most people, that is
why it is called the "fine print", but it is still important. All, and I mean ALL,
free email services are in control of the email service provider and not the business
that is using them. All free email services include a provision in the user agreement
that states that they can terminate an account at any time! That means your saved
emails, your address book, your inbox and your sent box are theirs for the taking.
In an instant without warning your company can lose everything.
Is that really the type of business you want to run? Free email serves it purpose.
It allows people to socialize for free and ads traffic to the email provider's site.
Not to mention that when you tell people your email address and it is not your own,
you are advertising for another company. Do you really want to advertise for someone
else's company or for your company? Free email service should not be what your business
is dependant on.
There is a cheap alternative. A business can hire a company to host and setup
their email. These services put the power back in your hands. As long as you pay
the bill, your service will continue. That is a guarantee that every company needs.
The best part of all is the fact that these services often cost less then ten dollars
a month with a small startup fee. Most of these service providers do not require
that you purchase a website, just a domain name.
No business should be using a free email service, period. The cost to have your
own email service is far less than you think, and the costs of not having it are
far greater than you ever considered.
Please do not take my word for it. Ask yourself a few questions. Would AOL, Microsoft
or Yahoo lose money on email service? Did you read every word of the service agreement
you signed when you registered for your free email account? Here are the words you
may have missed:
Yahoo!
You agree that Yahoo! may, under certain circumstances and without
prior notice, immediately terminate your Yahoo! account, any associated email address,
and access to the Service
Microsoft
Microsoft reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to terminate
your access to any or all MSN Sites/Services and the related services or any portion
thereof at any time, without notice.
America Online
America Online reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to terminate
your access to all or part of this site, with or without notice.
Find an email service provider for your business before it is too late!
