BiggerPockets

I like Gmail, it's very easy to use. Plus, it's nice because it does not tie my to my personal computer like Outlook does. Hope that helps!

I have multiple business and personal email addresses that I access through POP.

I guess my main concern is that I use folders extensively to keep my business organized. I know gmail uses labels instead of folders.

So, let me get this straight. If get an email to my @email1.com account and set it up in Gmail, when I reply does the receiver get an email from my gmail account or does it still maintain its @email1.com domain? If so then that is a very good thing and I will be switching soon.

Try Thunderbird for an e-mail client. I've been using it for years now and find its a much better client than Outlook, unless you're connected to a corporate Exchange server.

If you can, switch your services from POP to IMAP. POP pulls down the mail where IMAP gives you access to the mail on the server. I have my personal accounts with Godaddy. Its not free, but its only $33.50 a year and that gives me 10 addresses and unlimited storage. And no screwy "we'll read your e-mails and send you ads" terms of service. Godaddy also has a web based interface so you can get to your mail even if you don't have your computer with your client handy.

Most clients, including both Thunderbird and Outlook have controls that let you control the timing of when mail is checked. If you don't like those 20 minute delays, just set the interval to a shorter time.

I used to try to organize email into folders. I still do this, to some extent, though mostly with server side rules. At my day job, for example, we use a lot of mailing lists. I can set up a rule on the server (same on Godaddy) that will dump all emails for the mailing list into a folder. This avoids cluttering up my inbox. For most e-mail, though, I just let it stay in the inbox. I find searching is much more effective than trying to categorize emails and stuff them into folders. I've convinced several other folks of this approach, too, and had them say it was indeed easier to deal with.

Godaddy does let you set up an address to forward to another address.

Not really a recommendation for godaddy, nor do I have any affiliation with them. But I've been happy with the service. I really like that the e-mails stay on their server rather than being pulled down to one specific client like was happening with POP.

It sends from your domain if you set it up the right way...not the Gmail domain.

@Edward (Jerry):
I didn't know about archiving in Gmail...will have to check that out! How hard is it to retrieve archived mail? I have about 50,000 emails in my account right now and I am too lazy to delete many of them. Archiving or upgrading for more space seem to be the best options.

Interesting discussion. I have been thinking about switching from Gmail (which I love) to Outlook since I've been told Outlook syncs better with my phone, etc.

Has anyone had success using both together? I hate to give up Gmail.

Ya think? 20GB of mail would be crazy...I''m sure I'll get there though. I am almost out of space on my account right now...something like 99% used.

Too bad I can't archive it!

Ok, not shy about this. I'm obsessed with Google. Just finished a post on my blog about it, about the 15-20 products that I use for free to run my business.

Gmail:
-I have multiple accounts. I forward them to one account.
-I have also set up emails with my domains through Bluehost that I can receive the email in gmail and also send from this address

Get it!

I have been on Gmail since before it was available to the public and I love it. I have used AOL, Yahoo, Hotmail, Thunderbird, Outlook and others, and have found Gmail to be the best for me.

Also, remember to delete emails you do not need. It can build up and fill up your space if you keep everything.

Outlook has its perks.... but when it comes to a busy professional, who has time for VPN's and hassling with setting it up on multiple laptops/phones?

Unless you are in a corporate environment where tens of users are using the system and you need central administration and tracking, why spend the time dealing with exchange servers?

Gmail provides instant access to not only email but instant messaging, phone, documents, etc., etc....

For anyone not already hooked or required to use Outlook, Gmail is the far more efficient choice. From syncing group calendars to sharing documents, its all integrated.

I've assisted clients with creating in one swoop a portal with Google Sites, a document repository with Google Docs, Group Calendars and Tasks within Google along with email. Can anything Microsoft has do all that for free?