There are a ton of email providers out there now, and it can be tough to choose the perfect service for you. If you’re having a hard time deciding who you should go with, here are 10 tips you need to consider.
1. How much space does the email provider give you?
The amount of space you get for your emails is different depending on who you choose. If you’re the type of person who wants to save every email as far back as 2003, you need to be sure you’ll have enough room for the future. For example, Gmail provides you with 10GB and Yahoo with 1TB.
2. How easy is it to use?
Ease of use should be one of the top things to consider when it comes to who you choose. Gmail is notorious for making things as easy as humanly possible. It’s incredibly simple and automatically sorts out junk. Your provider should be straightforward and easy to use above all. A complicated layout can only lead to stress.
3. Does it have email forwarding?
If you do choose to change services or switch emails, will the provider allow you to forward your emails to your new address? While it may not seem obvious with new email accounts, many of us end up drowning in spam. It’s impossible to block them all, but you can always change emails and forward what matters.
4. Are there folders to sort?
If you’re the type of person who requires a clean inbox, you’ll want to have folders that are completely customizable. Maybe you’ll want a folder for work and another for school. Not every service provider allows you to make personalized folders for your every need.
5. How much data can you attach to an email?
Some people send large documents through email, and unfortunately, many email providers only allow up to 10MB of attachable information in an email. If you need to send data larger than 10MB, you might consider a service like Gmail, which links to Google Drive.
6. Can you search your email?
Most of the larger providers allow you to search through your inbox and other folders to find an important email, while others can make it tough. If you have to spend several minutes attempting to find an email, then you need to switch.
7. Is there a mobile app?
Nowadays, since everyone is on the run, many services are moving to mobile applications. These mobile apps allow you to browse your email without the need of a desktop or laptop. You’ll also get an update when you receive a new email.
8. Is the app user-friendly?
Many email apps differ from the desktop version, and this issue can create a learning curve. When you mark an email on your mobile app, it may not be marked as important on your computer. You want your mobile app to be linked to your non-mobile version and work seamlessly.
9. Do you mind paying for your email account?
Free email accounts are fantastic, but they can come with a lot of spam. To make things worse, some less reputable companies will sell your email address to make a buck. When you use a pay service, this problem is avoided. When you pay for your email, you’ll have fewer ads, data protection, and customer support. Some examples of pay services include Rackspace and Kerio Connect.
10. How is the load time?
Whether you’re choosing a pay or a free service, your email should load very quickly. Gmail has one of the fastest load times, and most people are reasonably happy with this service. Make note of how fast your email loads and whether or not there is a visible lag time that hinders you while you switch between emails messages.
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