It’s tempting to just stick with a Gmail address because it’s free and easy, but deep down you know it doesn’t quite send the right message when you’re trying to build trust. Having an email address that matches your domain immediately makes you look more credible, and that’s where GoDaddy’s email hosting options come in. The tricky part is deciding which one works best for you: Microsoft 365 Email or Titan Email. They both get the job done, but in different ways, and depending on where you are in your business journey, one may make more sense than the other.

Let’s start with Microsoft 365, because it’s usually the first thing people see when they land on GoDaddy’s email plans. On the surface, it looks great, and it is. You don’t just get an inbox, you get the full Microsoft suite, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneDrive, the works. If you’re already used to working with those tools or your business depends on documents and spreadsheets every day, it can feel like a no-brainer. But then reality hits: the price. In South Africa, Microsoft 365 email doesn’t come cheap, and for a brand-new entrepreneur trying to manage costs, the monthly fees can feel heavy. It’s not that it’s not worth it, it definitely is if you’ll use everything it comes with, but let’s be honest, when you’re starting out, you probably don’t need every single feature right away. Sometimes paying for the entire buffet when all you wanted was a sandwich doesn’t make sense.

That’s where Titan Email comes in, and honestly, I think a lot of South African startups will breathe easier once they realise it’s an option. Titan is built to give you the basics that matter most: a professional email address that matches your domain, a clean and modern inbox that’s super easy to use, calendar and contact features, and smooth mobile access so you can check your emails on the go. It doesn’t try to bundle in extras you may not even touch in the first year of running your business. The best part? The price is far more affordable. You’re not stuck paying premium rates every month just to get a reliable inbox. It’s the kind of solution that lets you focus on building your business instead of worrying about another bill eating into your startup budget.

And the truth is, most small businesses don’t need advanced Office tools right at the beginning. What they need is communication that works, branding that looks professional, and something that doesn’t give them a headache when setting it up. Titan ticks all those boxes. I’ve seen many new entrepreneurs start with Titan simply because it feels practical, and then, as their businesses grow and they need more tools, they upgrade to Microsoft 365 later. That way, they’re not over-spending in the early stages but still keeping the option open to scale when the time is right. (⚠️Read this⚠️)

So, which one is right for you? Well, it really depends on your priorities. If you know for sure that you’re going to be working in Excel sheets daily, editing documents in Word, and collaborating through OneDrive, then Microsoft 365 might be worth the higher price tag even from the beginning. But if you just want straightforward, reliable email that looks professional on your website and business cards, Titan is more than enough, and your wallet will thank you. The nice thing is that with GoDaddy, you don’t have to see this as a permanent decision.

At the end of the day, your clients don’t care whether your email is powered by Microsoft or Titan, they just care that you reply quickly, that your address looks professional, and that communication feels smooth. From that perspective, both options work perfectly well. It’s more about what makes sense for you right now in your business journey. My honest advice? If you’re in South Africa, just starting out, and every rand counts,

Titan is the smart move. It gives you everything you need without weighing you down with features you’ll probably only use later. And when you’ve grown to the point where your business is thriving and you want the full Microsoft suite, you can make the switch confidently knowing you started smart.