Did you know there are 3 main types of email service? Here is a quick guide to the different types, so you can decide which is best for you:
First, there are the free email address from companies like Yahoo, Hotmail (Outlook) and Gmail. Free can be great but is not always best, the old saying, you get what you pay for rings true as Yahoo has been hit by several security breaches in recent years and Hotmail users often complain of spam. Gmail is probably the best of these free services and I have written a handy guide (here) on how to set one up. Remember nothing is really free. In the terms and conditions you may have to agree to the free email company reading the contents of your messages in order to target advertising etc.
The second type is the email you get from your Internet Provider (ISP). This email address will end in their company name, for example @btinternet.com, @plus.net etc. The downside of these email addresses is that if you leave your current ISP you may lose your email address or be forced to pay an annual charge to keep your old email working. Last year, old Orange customers lost access to their email addresses because Orange and Wanadoo had been amalgamated into EE who no longer wanted to update these services, so retired them.
Finally, there is Exchange email. Once only available to businesses this is now an affordable way to have an independent and inherently more secure email that seamlessly links messages on your smartphone, tablet and computer. The bonus is you can choose your email address. This is ideal for small businesses as an official email creates an air of professionalism, for example Fredthepainter@btinternet.com can become fred@fredthepainter.co.uk. You don’t need to have a website to use this email service. Another great advantage of Exchange email is SPAM blocking. For a small fee 99% of junk email can be blocked before it even gets delivered! For small businesses this can save time and money as well as preventing potential virus and phishing attacks.
If you are based in or around Sutton Coldfield and Coleshill and Exchange email is something that interests you then get in touch through my contact page.
Happy ‘Putering
Caroline The ‘PuterTutor
