Email Migration Services
Secure, Reliable & Fully Managed for SMEs
Many small businesses start with free Gmail or Outlook.com accounts—until they hit hidden costs, security gaps and compliance headaches. HiltDigital’s Email Migration Services move you to a professional Microsoft 365 setup that’s fast, secure and tailored for SMEs in Liverpool, Wirral, Merseyside & Cheshire.
Why Move from Free Accounts to Microsoft 365?
- Brand trust & professionalism
Email from your own domain ([email protected]) looks credible—free accounts can land in junk folders or raise red flags. - Guaranteed uptime & support
Free services offer no SLA or UK-based helpdesk; Microsoft 365 includes 99.9%+ availability and local support. - Advanced security controls
Free tiers lack DMARC, DKIM and spoof protection—Microsoft 365 gives you enterprise-grade anti-phishing and anti-spam (See our Phishing Protection Services). - Compliance ready
Built-in auditing, retention policies and eDiscovery help you meet GDPR, Cyber Essentials and sector-specific rules.
Full Microsoft 365 Email Setup: What You Get
| Component | Benefit |
|---|---|
| Custom Domain & DNS | Professional “@yourcompany.com” address, easy mailbox provisioning. |
| Exchange Online | 50 GB+ mailbox per user, shared calendars & global address lists. |
| Spam & Malware Protection | Zero-hour auto-purge, mailbox intelligence and quarantine management. |
| Email Policies & Retention | Auto-apply retention labels, legal holds and archive mailboxes. |
| High-Availability Architecture | Geo-redundant datacentres, automatic failover. |
It’s Not Secure by Default: Why Proper Configuration Matters
Out-of-the-box Microsoft 365 still needs you to:
- Enable and enforce DMARC/DKIM/SPF to stop domain spoofing.
- Configure Data Loss Prevention (DLP) rules for sensitive content.
- Set retention and deletion policies to meet legal obligations.
HiltDigital ensures every security slider is set correctly—no risky defaults left on.
Identity & Access Management
Secure email starts at sign-in:
- Azure Active Directory integration for single sign-on and user management.
- Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) as standard on every mailbox.
- Conditional Access policies to block risky logins (e.g. untrusted networks, unfamiliar devices).
Combine with our Endpoint Management & Intune for device-based compliance and seamless mailbox access on managed laptops or mobiles.
Backup & Disaster Recovery
Email archives are mission-critical data. Unlike free services that delete items irretrievably, your mailboxes on Microsoft 365 can be:
- Backed up daily and retained off-site for rapid restore.
- Protected by Site Recovery in case of service or region outages (Learn more in our Disaster Recovery Services).
- Exported on demand for legal or compliance purposes.
FAQ: Common Concerns & Our Answers
Q: “I didn’t realise it could cost so much—how do I justify the expense?”
A: Consider the true cost of downtime, data loss, phishing breaches and brand damage. A single ransomware attack or compliance fine can far exceed mailbox licensing fees. Our migration delivers ROI through productivity gains, risk reduction and predictable budgeting.
Q: “Will my team lose emails or folders during migration?”
A: No. We use phased migration tools that sync your legacy mailboxes (Gmail, Outlook.com, on-prem Exchange) to Microsoft 365 in the background, then cut over when you’re ready—zero email loss, zero downtime.
Q: “How long does a migration take?”
A: Small businesses (up to 25 users) often complete in a weekend. Larger environments get a phased schedule to minimise business impact.
Q: “Can I keep some mailboxes on-premise?”
A: Yes. We support hybrid Exchange setups—ideal if you have compliance reasons to keep certain mailboxes locally.
Our Email Migration Process
- Discovery & Planning
Audit existing mailboxes, aliases and forwarding rules to build a detailed migration plan. - Pilot Migration
Move a test batch to validate settings—spam filters, shared calendars and permissions. - Full Migration & Cutover
Sync all mail, contacts and calendars. Update MX records and decommission legacy systems when you’re satisfied. - Security Hardening
Apply DMARC/DKIM/SPF, DLP rules, retention labels and conditional access policies. - Training & Handoff
Onboard your team to Outlook desktop/web/mobile apps, plus admin training and ongoing support.
Related Solutions & Next Steps
- Phishing Protection Services – strengthen email defenses beyond standard filters
- Endpoint Management & Intune – secure and manage devices accessing your mail
- Disaster Recovery Services – backup and restore across your cloud environment
- Modern Workplace with Microsoft 365 – enable collaboration and productivity across apps
Ready to upgrade your business email?
Speak to an Email Migration specialist today and leave free accounts—and their headaches—behind.
