Running a web-based email system

Thoughts on various issues related to this...

[zulu_dude]

During one of my idea brainstorming sessions, I considered starting a web based email system, similar to gmail and yahoo-mail. Obviously I don't think I could ever compete with them; I would add some custom features related to my niche, to differentiate myself from the big players.

I'd welcome any comments from people who have experience in this sort of thing. Some specific queries I have...

1) Gmail offers 1GB of space, Yahoo 100MB (or whatever). I highly doubt anyone fully uses all their space; does anyone have any stats with regards to how much space the average web-based email user uses?

2) From a monetisation point of view, I wouldn't imagine that free email hosting would be especially lucrative. I suppose I could add ads to each email, but I think it would probably be more useful as a stepping stone in building a network of sites. In other words, brand recognition. Am I right or wrong in this thinking? Anyone actually able to make some cash from offering free email?

[collymellon]

IMHO no user requiring a free email address would use that amount of space unless they are using the address for business purposes in which case I have users with 5gb of storage being used.

Also adding adds in with the email with put users off using your system - this would be a hard time competing with the bigger 'brands'. One advantage of offering this service would be purely for getting your brand name out there...

[FridayNight]

zulu_dude, i am thinking of setup my own webmail too. did you already select a software?

[kassius]

zulu_dude you better off using everyone.net who offer 25mb save yourself the headaches.

[FridayNight]

kassius doesn't understand the business model we have in mind.

[Conscientious Reject]

I think the add things a great idea. It could greatly reduce the cost to the end user, and could even yield more profit at no real inconvenience. The friendly reminders and inquiries are sent out daily anyway. Why not tack on adds. As long as they are not loud or obsurd. They should also be of little space.

[zulu_dude]

FridayNight, due to several other ideas in the pipeline, I haven't progressed any further on this idea, so I haven't yet selected any software.

I have done plenty of research though, most of which can be found in this post. [webmasterworld.com]

Hope it helps you in making your choice.

[FridayNight]

zulu, i am already progressing... i selected

hmailserver (free)
+ squirrelmail (also free)
+ abyss web server
+ mysql

squirrelmail doesn't have "create an account" option but I will add a tiny PHP script which will create a user in hmailserver database.

[zulu_dude]

Great, good to hear that you've been more pro-active than I have!
Please keep us posted on how things turn out...