Hi,

 

random question this but I don't know best how to answer it.

 

A client of mine has just asked me why they have to pay for their email accounts.

"I've had a hotmail account for years, it never gets full (there's no limit on space), it's never down and that's completely free! With you, I have to pay for the email account, then pay to upgrade if I want more space and pay for more security. Why can't it be free like gmail or something?"

I don't know how to answer that.

Any suggestions please?


Thanks.

3rd party services like Hotmail/Gmail are generally "free" as in no charge but they mine user data for use elsewhere like advertising, that data is worth a lot of money, much more than a nominal fee every month/year!

 

With self hosted email no 3rd party company will be mining the users data...

That makes a lot of sense.

I've just asked my hosting company the same question. I'm curious to see what they come up with.

 

Thanks!

If they have to pay for their email account they need to find a new host. Email is normally bundled for free with your hosting. If it isn't you have the wrong host.

 

But if you want to answer them regards cost tell them that email servers, security, other network gear, wages, electricity and the building all need to be paid for.

3rd party services like Hotmail/Gmail are generally "free" as in no charge but they mine user data for use elsewhere like advertising, that data is worth a lot of money, much more than a nominal fee every month/year!

 

With self hosted email no 3rd party company will be mining the users data...

Its completely true!

Free services are free because ....

1. They deliver you adverts

2. They use your data to decide what adverts to deliver you

 

Paid services should

1. respect your data privacy

2. Provide support services

I've used gmail for years and for me it's the best email! And it's free and they respect my data privacy and provide support services. I wouldn't agree to use another email I should have paid for...