Sometimes when I am emailing via my blackberry I have (on more occasions than I would like to admit) sent an email from my gmail account.
Here are 5 main business reasons why we think you should not be using a third party free email account for your main business email account:
1. Unprofessional – It makes you look unprofessional and not to say cheap. You can buy a domain for no less than $15.00 dollars (one year registration) and even if you don’t build your website most domain registrars will grant you an complimentary email account which you can use.
2. Disconnection from Clients & Rest of the World – If you are account is compromised or blocked by a third party free service provider it can take hours, days, or weeks for you to regain access to your account. I know Google has improved greatly and it might take a few hours, but can you afford being disconnected from email and your clients for a few hours.
3. Risk of Impersonators – If your customers or providers are use to seeing a third party email not linked to your domain anyone easily can create an email that is similar to your current email and establish contact with your business stakeholders and close contacts.
4. Missing out on Marketing Opportunity – Every time you hand your business card or share your email you give that person a direct link to your website. Most people will have the curiosity and browse over your website.
5. Limited Control on Your Privacy – Protecting customer information is more important than what most people would think. We would you sacrifice your customer information or much less your own. Using these third party free email apps you are restricted to there use and privacy policy and so is the information you share with your stakeholders.
There are many options when it comes to creating your own business email accounts without missing out on the all the benefits. If you have any questions feel free to leave a comment below.