Don’t use Gmail for your business. I see businesses use Gmail all the time, and it has to stop.
Why? After all, Gmail is available for free and Google is a massive company. So, what’s the problem?
There are several problems that you may not have thought about before.
You Have No Control
What happens if you have a problem with Gmail that Google’s help webpage doesn’t solve? Gmail has 1.8 billion users. It’s a free service. Do you think that Google puts a priority on solving your serious Gmail problem?
And what Gmail problems are serious, you may ask? Here are some to consider:
- There is no phone number you can call for help.
- If you can’t get into your account or it disappears, it’s gone.
- When you use Gmail exclusively and an employee changes their password, you can’t delete their account. Then that employee can share information about your company and no one will question it. After all, it’s coming from your company e-mail account.
- If you have an HR issue and an employee has changed their Gmail password, you can’t log in and check that person’s e-mail correspondence.
It’s Not Professional
An e-mail account that includes your company name promotes your company. A Gmail address promotes Gmail and Google. Who do you want to promote?
But wait, there’s more. People know Gmail is free, so they get the impression that you don’t care about your online presence.
It follows that people will start to wonder if they should be your customer. If they don’t care, then they may have a bad experience as your customer.
They may also think that if you use free online tools, like Gmail and Facebook, then your business doesn’t have a whole lot of money.
Potential customers may think of only one experience they’ll have: Your business going under.
Gmail is the New Hotmail
Remember Hotmail? It was one of the first public and free email services started in 1996, and Microsoft bought it in the 2000s because then was the most popular free online mail system.
Remember how a lot of spammers used it? Microsoft replaced it with Outlook.com a decade ago.
Who has replaced Hotmail? Gmail. Like Hotmail, it’s easy to sign up, so scammers can set up a Gmail account with a similar name to confuse your customers and others.
Spammers use Gmail accounts constantly, and they usually use more than one. A few days ago, I saw a spam message from someone who claims he’s a web designer in India. Two days later, I received a second e-mail with the same name as the designer in the first. But he sent it through another Gmail address that had the username “Experienced Team.”
What’s the Solution?
Website hosting companies offer e-mail accounts as part of their packages. Domain name registrars like GoDaddy also offer e-mail accounts. You need to pay to host a site and reserve a domain, so take advantage of the added e-mail service.
If you’re worried about encryption, talk about that with the company. That will help you pare down your choices to the one your business needs.
Do you still want to use Google because you think it’s the most stable solution? Then use Google Workspace, because it allows you to use your company name in the e-mail address — not Gmail.
Yes, these solutions cost money — even Google Workspace. But it’s a vital investment. And how much is customer trust worth to you?
Reinforce your brand. Build trust with your customers. Don’t use Gmail for your business.
Eric Butow is the owner of Butow Communications Group (BCG). Eric can help you tailor your company’s digital marketing. Set up a meeting with BCG!