What to consider when switching email providers
Switching email providers can seem daunting – especially if you have years of messages from your current provider on your system.
Although it may not seem a priority at first glance, email is often the main method of communicating with your customers and staff. Having an email provider that works for you will make your company more efficient and appealing to customers. So don’t get stuck with an email provider that isn’t working for you – changing over is easier than you think.
The following are some of the main issues to consider when wanting to switch email providers.
Do I have to change?
If you’re in the midst of changing to a new internet provider, or moving onto a cloud based service changing email providers will be part of the changeover process. If your business is changing name or moving from a freelancer to a business owner, an email address with your new business name will be important if you want to appear professional. Although this doesn’t automatically mean you have to change providers, it can be worthwhile to consider this as part of the change process.
Do I want to change?
Are you happy with your current email provider? If you are finding valuable emails being re-directed automatically to your junk folders it might be worth looking at other options. If email marketing, and the style and functionality of those emails is important to you, it will be worth exploring providers that can offer significant levels of control over design and tracking and monitoring of the emails you send out to customers.
How do you use emails?
If emails are the main method you use to reach out to customers, a ‘default’ email service of the type that comes with your internet provider or computer’s programme suite may not be the right tool for you. In this case exploring more bespoke options for tracking and monitoring emails as part of a concerted marketing campaign might benefit your business.
How do I change?
Depending on the size of your business and what you are hoping to achieve, changing email providers can be something that is achievable alone. However if this process could take resources and focus away from your core business then outside help may be of benefit. As with any IT implementation, carefully consider the time and resources required before you proceed.
Conclusions
With emails being such a core part of businesses working and communicating with their customers and staff, having the right email provider is an important business decision.
However many businesses still see their email service as being determined by the internet provider or software suite they chose, sometimes many years ago.
Another myth is that all email providers are essentially the same, and that there is no benefit to changing, only risks.
As with any service or tool you utilise in your business it’s worth considering – does my email provider do what I need it to, and does it reflect well on my business when customers and staff come into contact with it?
If the answer to these questions is no, then it’s time to seriously consider changing your email provider.
If you are interested in making the change you could benefit from professional help from a company like Cloud M to make the process as effective and efficient as possible.
