Microsoft have launched a new service which provides free hosted email and IM services if you bring your own domain. These services are usually add-on services that have to be purchased from domain registrars. Windows Live Custom Domains basic service includes:
- Create up to 20 e-mail accounts within your domain
- Get a 250 MB inbox for each account
- Check your e-mail from any Web-enabled PC
- Junk e-mail filter protection using Microsoft SmartScreen technology
- Virus scanning and cleaning of e-mail
- Seamless access with MSN Messenger, MSN Spaces, etc.
Most traditional hosting companies sell domain names almost as a lost leader, in the hope that customers will signup for the additional hosting services that they provide. I think this is quite a smart move by Microsoft to offer some of these services for free, presumably covering the cost in other ways such as advertising, or cross-selling other Microsoft products.
It will be interesting to see how domain registration companies react if this product makes it out of beta.
More: TechCrunch
