An email has become a primary tool for communication across all industries, but for some, it can feel like you need an IT degree to figure out exactly how to get started or what to do when your current email hosting no longer meets the needs of your team. There are endless options available when it comes to setting up a business e-mail, and it can be hard to know where to start. Instead of managing this yourself, there is a lot to be said for selecting a hosted email provider and there is a good fit out there for any size company with all the options available. Expensive hardware, software licenses, storage limits, limited network capacity, the need to back up your information, and labor costs associated with all of the above are just some of the reasons many companies choose to use a professional email hosting service for their needs. Remote email access challenges Exchange mailboxes, calendars, contacts, and other data, messaging synchronization problems across multiple computers and mobile devices, insufficient security, and failed backups can cause operational disasters. With a hosted email service, there is no hardware to buy and no software to set up in most cases so that your team can concentrate on what they do best and not have to think about data security or email servers. Free vs. Professional Hosting Services: Once you know that an email hosting provider needs to be chosen, the next step is to actually find a provider that fits the needs of your business. This is a significant step, however, and allows you to assess and address your needs today and the changing needs of your company as your team grows. Pros: Free Free service Many free options provide enough file storage to meet the needs of individuals or small businesses No commitment or contract Professional A personalized domain name is key to building your business’ brand Hosting packages that include hosting your business’ website Larger cloud storage No advertisements Shared calendars and other collaboration tools Email exchange synchronization across all your team’s devices