Breaking Free from ISP-Provided Emails

In the vast realm of Internet Service Providers (ISPs), certain elements are crafted to make products and services “sticky” for customers. The stickier the product, the harder it becomes for customers to leave. This strategy, although clever, often anchors customers to services that may no longer be beneficial or cost-effective for them. One of the classic examples of this in the ISP world is the ISP-provided email.

At Purple Cow Internet, we've encountered countless customers hesitant to make a switch purely because of the email service tethered to their ISP. Years of communication, a plethora of stored emails, and the sheer convenience of a familiar email address can bind customers to an ISP, even when they're aware of cheaper or better alternatives available. Think about it: an email address isn't just a digital ID; it’s where bank statements go, it’s registered on multiple platforms, it’s shared with friends and family. The thought of changing it feels analogous to changing your own name.

However, what many don't realize is that sticking with an ISP merely for the email service could be costing them hundreds of dollars annually. When competitors like Purple Cow Internet offer superior or similar services at a fraction of the price, the cost of loyalty to an outdated email address adds up.

Thankfully, there's a solution.

For those feeling tethered to their ISP because of their email, there are strategies to smoothly transition without the fear of losing your essential emails:

1. Set up a New Account with Gmail (or another free provider):Before making any moves, establish a new email with providers like Gmail. It's free, user-friendly, and comes with the reliability of Google's infrastructure.

2. Forwarding Old Emails:Most ISP email services offer a feature where you can forward incoming emails to another address. Set your ISP email to automatically forward all emails to your new Gmail account. This way, even if someone sends an email to your old address, you’ll receive it in your new inbox.

3. Notify Your Contacts:Use the old email address to send a notification to all your contacts (or at least the essential ones) informing them of your new email address. Many platforms, including Gmail, have features to send these notifications en masse, ensuring that your contacts are updated.

4. Update Your Subscriptions:Spend a week or two updating your email address on essential platforms – banks, work, subscription services, and any other services where your old email is registered.

5. Regularly Check Your Old Email:While you're in the transition phase, regularly check your old ISP email for any missed emails or updates. Over time, as you shift everything to your new email, the need to check the old one will diminish.

6. Gradually Phase Out:Once you've set up forwarding, notified everyone, and updated your subscriptions, the reliance on your old ISP email will drastically decrease. After a few months, it'll become more of a relic than a necessity.

In conclusion, while ISP-provided emails can seem like an unbreakable bond, with the right steps, anyone can transition smoothly. At Purple Cow Internet, we're not just about providing top-notch internet services; we're about ensuring our customers are informed, empowered, and making choices that serve them best. Remember, an email address shouldn't be the deciding factor in your internet experience – especially when it's costing you hundreds annually. Make the switch. It’s simpler than you think.

Bradley Farquhar
CEO