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Email for Businesses: Definition, Benefits, and Drawbacks

Bottom of the Funnel: What is it?

The first electronic mail was sent in 1971 by Ray Tomlinson. Since then, email has come a long way. There are close to 4 billion active email users, almost the same as social media. But with social media and instant messaging apps being the new normal, email is confined mainly to business communications.

This article delves into an electronic mail and why it's a useful communication tool for businesses.

Wikipedia's email definition says that "electronic mail or email refers to the process of exchanging information using electronic devices." Back in the day, email exchange was supported only for users of the same computer. But with the development of the internet and servers, the use of email has revolutionized.

Now, email has become a medium of communication over the internet, primarily used by individuals and businesses. It is also essential marketing and advertising channel used by companies of all types and sizes.

Email is a quick, secure, and effective means of communication. It enables you to instantly send text, documents, images, and videos to anyone within seconds. It's easy to use and is, in most cases, free to use.

Thus, email has become one of the primary modes of communication, especially in the business world. Due to the rise of instant messaging platforms like WhatsApp, email among individuals has reduced. But B2B communications are still primarily conducted via email.

Five Key Benefits Electronic Mail You Might Have Not Thought Of

Benefits of Electronic Mail for Business

The benefits of email are often understated, and rightly so. We live in the era of Instagram and Facebook, where connecting with people worldwide is effortless. But back in the day, when written letters were the only form of readable and traceable communication, emails brought a revolution.

The modern-day email has, of course, advanced a lot, but the essence remains the same. Companies use emails to connect with their clients, customers, and partners. Email streamlines communication and facilitates the exchange of information at the lowest cost possible.

Let's discuss the key benefits of electronic mail for businesses.

Instant Communication

Well, emails weren't designed to be instant. And even today, it might take an email up to 1-2 minutes to deliver. But with cutting-edge serves in place, email delivery has significantly improved. It allows businesses to speed up their communication process, which otherwise would have taken hours.

Besides, sending documents via electronic mail is faster than faxing. All you need to do is scan the documents, upload them, and hit the send button. Within seconds, your recipient will receive the documents.

Marketing and Advertising

Email is widely used for marketing. If done correctly, it can improve your company's branding, credibility, authority, and loyalty. With email, you can reach mass audiences without the need for any envelopes.

Besides, email marketing is one of the most affordable forms of marketing. Of course, you can invest in advanced solutions, but you can send emails to customers without spending a cent if you want. This low cost, along with a high ROI of $44 per $1 spent, makes email one of the critical channels for marketing.

More Accessible

You can access email anytime and from anywhere, as long as you're connected to the internet. Therefore, you can send and receive information as you like without worrying about any time or regional barriers. This enables you to travel for work and still stay connected. You can even access your emails offline in Outlook or Gmail mobile app.

Enhanced Security

Most email service providers offer email encryption, which means your email will reach the recipient in an encrypted form. This eliminates the risk of data theft and other security threats. Therefore, email provides a safe and secure platform for sending sensitive and confidential information.

Customer Support

A lot of businesses have made email a primary channel for providing customer support. And customers love it. Despite the increasing use of live chat and phone support, 54% of customers prefer email customer service.

There are several benefits of using email for customer service. First, it provides companies and customers with documentation, which can come in handy during verification. Second, live chat and phone support require an agent to be available. If an agent is not available, a customer can't get his query resolved.

Email eliminates this hurdle. Customers can email their queries anytime and wait for the company to respond within 24-48 hours.

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What is a Sales Funnel?

Electronic mail is undoubtedly a powerful tool, provided that you use it properly. Here are some best practices to follow when using email for business.

  • Subject Lines: Always have a clear subject line that immediately tells the recipient what the message is about.
  • Professional Email Address: Free email providers like Gmail and Yahoo are suitable for personal use, but when it comes to business, always opt for a professional email with your domain. It separates you from the clutter and makes you look more business-like.
  • Greetings: "Hello" and "Hi" are greetings we use in day-to-day life. But they aren't very professional. When using email for business, use more sophisticated greetings like Good Morning, Hope you're doing well, etc.
  • Proofread: As discussed, typos and inaccuracies are common when people send emails. Always proofread your message for any factual or grammatical errors before hitting the send button.
  • Check Punctuations: HEY THERE! This sounds like shouting on someone's face, right? Please don't use all caps in professional emails, and use them only as per the grammar rules.
  • Sign Off: Don't finish an email abruptly. It sounds like disconnecting a call without saying goodbye. Always have an email footer, like "Best regards," or "Yours sincerely."

Using electronic mail has a lot of benefits, but some drawbacks, too. Still, email remains to be the primary channel for various forms of communications – B2B, B2C, and internal communications.

As a business owner, it's essential to utilize email for business. But at the same time, it's also critical to leverage other communication channels for superior communication efficiency.