What is Email Hosting? Practical Explanation & Our Best Picks For Small Business

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What is email hosting? This question may come to mind if you are considering transferring your personal or business email communications to a third-party provider. Email hosting services are offered by many companies, each promising different features and price points. So, what exactly is email hosting, and how does it differ from the more familiar web hosting?

In this article, we'll explore the world of email hosting and answer some common questions about this type of service. Keep reading to find out.

What is Email Hosting?


Email hosting is a service that provides users with a web-based interface for managing their email accounts. It can be used to access email from any computer with an Internet connection, and it can also be used to store data such as contacts, calendars, and messages. Email hosting services typically provide users with a certain amount of storage space, and they may also offer features such as virus protection and spam filtering.

In addition, some email hosting services (even free email services) allow users to access their accounts through mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets. Email hosting can be provided by a variety of web hosting companies, but it is most commonly offered by web hosting providers.

How does Email Hosting differ from Web Hosting?


Primarily, email hosting and web hosting differ in terms of the services they provide. While email hosting focuses specifically on email accounts and related data, web hosting provides users with a platform for hosting their websites. In most cases, web hosting companies also offer email hosting services.

However, there are some differences between the two services. Some of the prominent ones are listed below:

  • Comparatively affordable. For starters, email hosting is typically much more affordable than web hosting. This is because email hosting does not require the same level of resources as web hosting. Additionally, email hosting services are often offered as part of a package deal that includes other features such as web hosting.
  • Easier to setup. Another key difference between email hosting and web hosting is that email hosting is typically much easier to set up and use. This is because email hosting services are designed specifically for email, whereas web hosting can be used for a variety of purposes. Additionally, most email hosting providers offer user-friendly interfaces that make it easy to manage your email accounts.
  • Not widely open. It's important to note that email hosting is not as widely available as web hosting. This is because email hosting requires a lot more resources than web hosting, and not all providers are able to offer it. Additionally, email hosting is typically only offered by larger providers.
  • More storage. Email hosting typically offers more storage space than web hosting. This is because email messages are generally much larger than web pages. Email hosting providers often offer packages with different amounts of storage space to accommodate the needs of their users.
  • Better security. Lastly, email hosting typically provides more security than web hosting. This is because email messages contain sensitive information such as login credentials and credit card numbers. Email hosting providers often offer features such as virus protection and spam filtering to keep their users' data safe.

These are just a few of the key ways in which email hosting and web hosting differ. Overall, email hosting is more affordable, easier to use, and more secure than web hosting.

The Importance of Email Hosting


Email hosting is a critical part of any business's online presence. A professional email address helps to build trust with customers and clients, and it can also make it easier to track important communications. Email hosting also provides a number of other benefits, including increased security and reliability.

By entrusting your email communications to a reputable hosting provider, you can be sure that your messages will be delivered safely and promptly. In addition, email hosting can provide valuable insights into your customer base, allowing you to understand their needs and preferences better.

Whether you're a small business or a large corporation, email hosting is an essential tool for maintaining a successful online presence.

The Best Email Hosting Services


Let's take a look at some of the best email hosting services on the market. Also, compare and contrast their features with some of our own recommendations.

1. BlueHost


For businesses, it is important to choose a hosting email service that is reliable and offers a variety of features. Bluehost is the leading email hosting company. With over two million customers, they have the experience and resources to provide a high-quality service. Bluehost offers a number of features that make it an ideal choice for businesses.

Their servers are constantly monitored to ensure uptime, and they offer 24/7 customer support in case any problems arise. In addition, Bluehost provides a variety of tools to help businesses manage their email accounts, such as auto-responders and contact lists. Overall, Bluehost is a great choice for businesses looking for a reliable and feature-rich email hosting service.

  • Pricing

Bluehost offers a variety of pricing plans to suit the needs of businesses of all sizes.

  • Basic email hosting plan: Starting from $3.00/month
  • Business standard hosting plan: Starting from $6.00/month
  • Business pro hosting plan: Starting from $9.00/month

These plans come with a free email hosting domain name for the first year, and they include unlimited storage (for Business Pro accounts) and bandwidth.

  • Key features
  • Reliable servers with an uptime guarantee
  • 24/7 customer support
  • Variety of tools to help manage email accounts

2. GoDaddy


GoDaddy is a well-known provider of web hosting services, and they also offer email hosting plans. Their email plans are suitable for both personal and business use, and they offer a variety of features that can be customized to meet your needs. GoDaddy's email servers are reliable and offer fast performance as the same server, making it a great option for those who need to send and receive large volumes of emails.

In addition, their customer support is excellent, so a web host can be sure that any problems you experience will be quickly addressed. Overall, GoDaddy is a great choice for business email hosting, especially if you're looking for a provider with good uptime and customer support.

  • Pricing

GoDaddy offers a variety of paid email hosting plans, so you can choose the one that best suits your needs.

  • Individual plans: Like any web hosting plan, if you only need one email account, you can sign up for an individual one. Prices start at $169 per month.
  • Team plan: If you need multiple email accounts for your team, you can sign up for a team plan. Prices start at $299 per month.

These are just a few of the features that GoDaddy offers. To learn more or to sign up for their service, visit their website.

  • Key features
  • Reliable server space
  • Excellent customer support
  • Customizable plans
  • Fast performance

3. IONOS


By housing all of your company's email accounts in one secure place, you can streamline communication and make it easier for customers and clients to get in touch. And with IONOS by 1&1, you can rest assured that your emails will always be safe and accessible. The same hosting company also offers a variety of features that make email hosting easy and convenient, including unlimited storage, 24/7 customer support, and state-of-the-art security measures.

You can also take advantage of their easy-to-use email software to create professional-looking messages that will impress your contacts. With IONOS, an email host will have everything you need to run a successful email marketing campaign.

  • Pricing

IONOS by 1&1 offers a variety of flexible packages that can be customized to suit your specific needs.

  • Mail basic 1: Starting from $1/month
  • Mail basic 1+: Starting from $4/month
  • Mail business: Starting from $5/month

These are just a few of the most popular email hosting packages. To learn more about the pricing and features, visit their website or contact them today.

  • Key features
  • State-of-the-art security
  • Spam and virus filtering
  • Easy to use the webmail interface
  • 24/7 support
  • Flexible packages to suit your needs

4. HostGator


HostGator is a world-renowned email hosting services provider. Their outstanding support and user-friendly interface have made them one of the most popular choices for small businesses and individuals alike. But what exactly do they offer? Let's take a closer look. First of all, their pricing is very competitive. They offer a wide range of plans to suit every budget, meaning that there's something for everyone. Secondly, they offer a huge range of features.

Whether you need basic email functionality or more advanced features like automation and marketing tools, HostGator has you covered. Finally, their customer service is second to none. If you ever have any problems or questions, their team is always on hand to help. (Related: Hostgator Vs A2 Hosting Vs Cloudways (Live Site, Speed Test))

  • Pricing

They offer a wide range of plans to suit every budget, but for now, the pricing plans are not mentioned. You can check out their website for more information.

  • Key features
  • Unlimited email accounts
  • 24/7/365 network monitoring
  • Free site migration with every package
  • Excellent customer service team always on hand to help

5. Hostinger


With over 30 million customers, Hostinger offers a reliable, feature-rich service that is perfect for both personal and business use. In addition to providing users with a robust email platform, Hostinger also offers a wide range of features that can be used to create a custom email address experience.

For instance, users can take advantage of Hottinger's powerful SPAM filter to keep their inboxes free of unwanted messages. Additionally, Hostinger provides a number of tools that can be used to manage contacts, create signatures, and set up auto-responders. Whether you're looking for a simple email solution or a comprehensive platform for managing your online communications, Hostinger has you covered.

  • Pricing

Hostinger offers a variety of pricing options to suit your needs. The cheapest plan, which is perfect for personal use, starts at just $6.00 per month. If you need more features, you can upgrade to the business plan. These are just a few of the most popular email hosting providers on the market today. To learn more about their services and pricing, visit their websites or contact them directly.

  • Key features
  • Unlimited email accounts
  • Powerful spam filter
  • Contact management tools
  • Signature creation
  • Auto-responder support

Key Considerations in Choosing an Email Hosting Provider


Now that you know a little bit more about what email hosting is and what your options are, it's time to start thinking about which provider is right for you. There are a few things you should keep in mind when making your decision.

  • Budget. The first thing you need to consider is your budget. How much are you willing to spend on email hosting each month? Once you've set a budget, you can start narrowing down your options.
  • Features. Another important factor to consider is the features offered by each provider. What do you need in an email hosting service? Do you need advanced features like automation and marketing tools, or will a basic service suffice?
  • Customer service. It's important to choose a provider that offers excellent customer service. After all, if you ever have any problems with your account, you'll want to be able to get in touch with someone who can help.
  • Pricing. As you compare different providers, be sure to pay attention to pricing. Some providers offer discounts for longer-term contracts, so it's important to compare apples to apples. There are also some free email hosting providers with web hosting packages available.

These factors will help you narrow down your options and choose the best email hosting provider for your needs.

Final Thoughts


Email hosting is a great way to improve your online communication capabilities. By choosing a reliable, feature-rich service, you can take your business to the next level. The products and services available through email hosting providers can give you a significant competitive advantage.

So whether you're a small business owner or a large corporation, email hosting should be an integral part of your online strategy. Just make sure to do your research and choose a provider that can offer you the features and support you need.

About the Author

I have been in the 'online business' space since 2009 when I started an eCommerce business selling motorcycle parts (sold in 2012). Since then I have owned and operated several successful online business (and had a fair share of failures), along with owning offline home services businesses. Currently my focus is online businesses that are profitable with paid traffic. As a 'self employed individual' I do not use Linkedin, but you can connect with my on my personal instagram and youtube which largely revolve around my mountain biking passion!