Small Business Options
If you are a small business owner or are starting a small business, you may be wondering what is email hosting? You know you don’t need it for personal email communication, especially with all the free email service providers out there. However, you have a feeling it may be something to look into for your business. If so, you’re absolutely right! Professional email hosting is a service that has proven invaluable for businesses today, especially with so much done by email communication. Business email hosting services can be provided in a myriad of ways. Let’s explore some of these options to get a better idea of what it entails.
First off, however, let’s define what email hosting service really is. Email hosting is done by an internet hosting service that rents out as well as operates email servers, who then offer a more premium service which is particularly tailored for small-to-medium-sized businesses with a more demanding, higher quantity of emails or email traffic. These email hosting providers offer advanced managed services that can include domain name hosting, hosted email services or even security monitoring, for additional options. An email hosting provider often proves invaluable for small businesses facing technology issues. The other difference with email providers is that they use professional email platforms and customized open source applications instead of a free webmail service using basic POP3-based email.
Web Hosting VS. Email Hosting
So what is the difference between web hosting and email hosting? Website hosting or web hosting is the service that stores all your website’s files and pages, making them available for anyone on the internet who is searching for you. In this way, anyone who has your domain name or URL can pull up your website, because of the web hosting service that loads the pages as requested. This is a separate function than that of your domain name system or DNS hosting service.
An email host is basically a server where your emails are stored and accessed from. Often, web hosting companies offer businesses email hosting for an additional cost, when registering a domain name. However, if a user opts not to initially, a domain name can be set to work with a different web hosting company, and an email hosting service can likewise be independently secured.
Why Choose Hosted Email?
Small businesses choose email and web hosting providers because of many valuable benefits, and if you’re a website owner, you may already have a website hosting (also called web hosting or domain hosting) company from when you registered your domain name. If this company does not handle continued management of your domain name system or DNS, you can opt for using an IT company like Blue Oak Technology Solutions, where we offer email hosting and many more technology solutions for small to medium sized businesses. Here are some of the benefits of email hosting:
- a customized professional business email account including your business (domain) name
- extra storage space
- larger file sending and receiving capabilities
- added performance & faster transmission
- additional layer of security
- encryption options
- spam filtering options
- builds brand identity and reputation
- scalability features as your business grows
- cost effective solutions
Professional Business Email Address
There are many advantages to having a web hosting service or email host, not the least of which is a professional email address ending in your company name, such as this example: CarolineSmith@yourbusinessname.com – versus – CarolineSmith-yourbusinessname@gmail.com As you can see, it’s easy to tell who’s using the free version of gmail and which one sounds more like a professional email address from a domain host for your business email account. Especially in the beginning when you’re growing your business, it’s important to look into web hosting services for your critical email communication solution. Email hosting plans are usually available from various email providers or IT companies for a professional email service that matches your business needs.
Advanced Email Security
Another valuable benefit of email hosting is the advanced email security aspect for the email client. It adds a layer of protection, especially when sending or receiving sensitive information between you and your customers. Email hosting providers typically ensure the encryption of all information when you both send and receive emails, as well as spam filtering and virus protection from any outside email source. Since most ransomware attacks and phishing attempts happen through corrupted emails and email attachments, this has become an increasingly important factor for small businesses with other email users. Any added malware or virus protection that comes with one of these email accounts is a welcomed benefit, as well.
Business Growth Scalability
Another advantage is that hosted email is easily scalable as your business grows. You may decide you need more email accounts for additional employees, or more individual inbox storage space. With email hosting, you can make it easy for an employee to manage email marketing for your business, as well. Mass emailing is made simple, and as your business grows, your email needs can be easily adjusted. Scalability is an important factor to consider when you’re starting a successful business. Make so many things possible for growing your business, with one main business email account.
Additional Benefits
When outsourcing your IT needs through a firm like Blue Oak Technology Solutions, email hosting is just one of the technology solutions we offer for small to medium sized businesses. There are many other invaluable services to choose from that you can put into a fully customizable monthly managed plan, for an extremely reasonable price. We also provide top notch technical support 24 7 from people who are familiar with you and your business. Your business website is vital to the success and growth of your business, so for any kind of technical support or solution you need, contact us here at Blue Oak Tech today, for the experience you can trust and depend on.
