This is the first installment in an ongoing series dedicated to the tools I regularly use and recommend as an Internet marketer.
What the heck is it?
Gmail is Google’s Web-based email service, although lumping Gmail in with other Web-based email services like Hotmail does Gmail a disservice. It really is in a league of its own.
Why do I like it?
Unlike any other Web-based email I have ever used, Gmail is as fast and full-featured as any desktop-based email solution (such as Outlook or Eudora). It has excellent message filtering and categorizing, the fastest search feature you will likely ever experience, and its built-in spam detection engine is one of the best I’ve ever seen. Most of the people I’ve introduced to it have pretty well abandoned all their other email solutions and have migrated to Gmail; it’s just that good. Every account comes with a massive 2.5 gigs (yes, that’s 2,500 megabytes) of storage space, so it’s going to be a long time before you have to worry about deleting any email messages. Best of all, Gmail is constantly evolving as the geniuses at Google add new features and refinements to the system based on user feedback.
Where do I get it?
You can find out more about Gmail at www.gmail.com however in order to get a Gmail account you need to be invited by someone who is lucky enough to already have one.
How much does it cost?
Gmail is free.
Insider’s Tip:
You don’t have to migrate to Gmail completely in order to enjoy its many benefits. Since every Gmail account has a ton of storage space, it’s ideal for use as an ad hoc email backup system. Simply configure your main email address to also forward a copy to your Gmail account. Should you ever have problems getting email from your primary email server, simply log in to your Gmail account and retrieve your messages from there.