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Do you need an email account with a web host if you use Gmail (programming.dev)
submitted 4 months ago* (last edited 4 months ago) by hal56@programming.dev to c/webdev@programming.dev
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A friends business email goes through to his gmail account, but he also pays for an email account with his web host. Is it necessary to keep paying for this email account, does he need it if the email goes through to gmail?

EDIT: What I know is, they both receive and send emails from @theirdomain.com via their Gmail. They have their domain registered with a seperate company than the web host and have access to their DNS records there. With the hosting company they pay for email in addition to their hosting plan.

My friend wants to avoid the extra cost of the email account if possible, and I thought it wasn't required to have an email with your your webhost if setting up the DNS records properly, but not 100% sure. We wanted to get independent advice before proceeding, since the host has an incentive for my friend to stay on the email plan.

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[-] refalo@programming.dev 7 points 4 months ago

If the MX record for the domain goes directly to gmail, then no there's no reason to pay for email through anyone else, it's not used at all.

[-] hal56@programming.dev 4 points 4 months ago

ok thanks, that what I thought, but just want to be 100% before my friend starts changing setting's that could affect his business email

[-] IllNess@infosec.pub 4 points 4 months ago

You should check how this is set up. See if the email account with his web host is being forwarded to his Gmail or if his MX record is set to one of Google's. Since last year it is SMTP.GOOGLE.COM.

[-] hperrin@lemmy.world 3 points 4 months ago

It depends on if Gmail is their mail exchange, or if it’s just acting as an SMTP/IMAP client. If their MX records on their DNS point you Gmail, then they don’t need the extra account. If they point to this other provider, then they do.

[-] hal56@programming.dev 2 points 4 months ago

Since they have access to their DNS records via their domain registrar, they can set up the necessary MX records to make Gmail their mail exchange right? And then get rid of the web hosts email

[-] hperrin@lemmy.world 6 points 4 months ago* (last edited 4 months ago)

Yes, but that’s not free. They need to be paying for G-suite (it’s not called that anymore, but I can’t remember what it’s called now).

Edit: Google Workspace https://workspace.google.com/products/gmail/

[-] hal56@programming.dev 2 points 4 months ago

ok thanks, that's very helpful.

[-] Dave@lemmy.nz 2 points 4 months ago

I get the feeling we need more info.

There are many specifics that would help, but honestly it seems like he should ask the webhost?

In theory, there is no reason why it should be necessary. But if the domain was purchased through the webhost then there could be any number of criteria attached to this. He should just ask.

[-] hal56@programming.dev 2 points 4 months ago

thanks for the info, I've updated my posted with a bit more info and why we are asking on here

[-] Dave@lemmy.nz 1 points 4 months ago

As others have said, if the domain is managed outside the webhost then there is no reason to pay for the webhost email.

this post was submitted on 28 Jul 2024
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