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Published by: Jason Ciment 08-03-2012  |  POSTED IN: Free Fridays

Use It Or Lose It: Should You Register With Microsoft Outlook?

 
It has been a long time since Gmail has had competition in the decent free email browser game, but that day has come. Microsoft will launch a new version of Hotmail, Outlook.com and everyone is talking about what it will offer, and for good reason. From what we can tell, it looks to be a modernized email system that most experts are predicting will catch on with email users like wildfire. So much so, in fact, that many are suggesting that you quickly register your name with Outlook.com, or else you could miss out on the next big thing in email. So what makes it so great? Let's take a look.
 
Simpler, Cleaner Email Space
 
Remember our post about cleaning up a site to make it more accessible to the mobile device crowd? Well, it seems as though that's exactly what Microsoft has done. Outlook.com is simple, very simple, and the large buttons and lack of frills makes it ideal for any touch screen. I think we've all experienced that moment where are fingers are too big for our oh-so-small email options, and having a system that is actually catered to the mobile user will make it hugely popular. 
 
But It Doesn't Lose The Options
 
Make no mistake: we aren't saying Outlook has less privileges than Gmail, anything but. The truth is, an argument could be made that there are more options for the Outlook user. Firstly, you're talking about waaaaay more storage with Outlook than with Gmail. That may not mean much, (Seriously, who has used all the room they have on Gmail anyway) but it will if you want to attach something that needs more storage space than 25MB (Gmail's limit). Outlook's? 100MB. 
 
Outlook also provides more categories for your emails as well.  It has almost the same file system as Gmail, but it also has a "Quick Views" section that allows you to view emails based on a preferred hierarchy of importance. Want to only view emails that have images in them? You got it. What to see all emails that have shipping information and updates in them? No problem. As impressive as these new features are, there are expected to be many more. 
 
It Puts Ads In Their Place
 
I don't know about you, but I've always been creeped out by Gmail's ads and how catered they are to my private emails. Sure, nobody should expect to find privacy on the internet these days, but a certain respect for it would go a long way. Luckily, Outlook is doing just that. Microsoft has promised that they will not use the content of emails for personalized ads. The ads on Outlook will stay out of the way on the side of an email, and not crammed up in your space like every other free email browser. Not only that, but when you click on emails in preview mode, the ads disappear altogether. I don't know about you, but for us, that's a welcome relief. 
 
So should you register your name on Outlook before emails get grabbed up faster than Wonka bars? Absolutely. In fact, why aren't you doing it right now? 
Thanks for reading. Jason.
P.S. Don't forget to subscribe below to this blog.
 
About Jason Ciment
Formerly an attorney and CPA, Jason has been working online since 1997. His columns on affiliate marketing can still be found on www.Clickz.com and his book on search engine optimization can be found at www.seotimetable.com.

This blog is published 4x per week and covers website design and SEO tips as well as a wide range of tips and advice for working and living online more efficiently and enjoyably.
 

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