In today's business world it is clear that the most important tool that a business can have is email. Given that fact, it is incredible to think that some businesses still use a free email service. The reason for my concern lies within that "fine print". I know that the "fine print" is often overlooked by most people, that is why it is called the "fine print", but it is still important. All, and I mean ALL, free email services are in control of the email service provider and not the business that is using them. All free email services include a provision in the user agreement that states that they can terminate an account at any time! That means your saved emails, your address book, your inbox and your sent box are theirs for the taking. In an instant without warning your company can lose everything.

Is that really the type of business you want to run? Free email serves it purpose. It allows people to socialize for free and ads traffic to the email provider's site. Not to mention that when you tell people your email address and it is not your own, you are advertising for another company. Do you really want to advertise for someone else's company or for your company? Free email service should not be what your business is dependant on.

There is a cheap alternative. A business can hire a company to host and setup their email. These services put the power back in your hands. As long as you pay the bill, your service will continue. That is a guarantee that every company needs. The best part of all is the fact that these services often cost less then ten dollars a month with a small startup fee. Most of these service providers do not require that you purchase a website, just a domain name.

No business should be using a free email service, period. The cost to have your own email service is far less than you think, and the costs of not having it are far greater than you ever considered. Please do not take my word for it. Ask yourself a few questions. Would AOL, Microsoft or Yahoo lose money on email service? Did you read every word of the service agreement you signed when you registered for your free email account? Here are the words you may have missed:

Yahoo! You agree that Yahoo! may, under certain circumstances and without prior notice, immediately terminate your Yahoo! Account, any associated email address, and access to the Service.

Microsoft Microsoft reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to terminate your access to any or all MSN Sites/Services and the related services or any portion thereof at any time, without notice.

America Online America Online reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to terminate your access to all or part of this site, with or without notice.

Find an email service provider for your business before it is too late!