Email hosting choices: bundled hosting vs Microsoft 365 vs Google Workspace
Short answer: Decide email on reliability and support—not on whether it bundles “free” with cheap hosting.
NZ businesses often outgrow bundled cPanel mail when staff need shared calendars, mobile setup, and predictable deliverability. Splitting website hosting from email can reduce single points of failure.
When bundled hosting email is okay
- One or two mailboxes, low volume, and you understand backup limits.
- You have a plan if the host has a bad day—email often dies with the server.
When Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace wins
Multiple staff, device management needs, shared calendars, and higher expectations around spam filtering and support portals.
Migration cautions
DNS MX changes are easy to get wrong. Lower TTL, export old mail, and run parallel receiving briefly if your provider allows—avoid Friday-afternoon cutovers without a rollback.
Frequently asked questions
Can we keep email at the domain registrar?
Sometimes—compare spam handling, storage, and support. Registrars vary widely.
What about privacy and the Privacy Act?
Know where mail is stored, who can access backups, and how you handle sensitive attachments—especially for health or finance sectors.