Starting a new business? One of the first (and most important) tech decisions you’ll make is choosing the right email, collaboration, and security tools. For most businesses, that means Microsoft 365—but with so many plans, where do you start?
This guide will break down which Microsoft 365 plan is right for you, why a custom domain matters, and essential security settings you need to enable right away.
Unsure about M365?
Download our free ebook today:
🔹 Step 1: Choosing the Right Microsoft 365 Plan
Microsoft 365 offers multiple business plans, but for most startups, you’ll be choosing between Business Standard and Business Premium.
| Plan | Best For | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| Business Standard | Startups that need productivity & collaboration tools | Outlook, Word, Excel, Teams, OneDrive, SharePoint |
| Business Premium | Startups that need advanced security & device management | Everything in Standard + Advanced Security (Defender), Conditional Access, Intune |
📌 Our Recommendation: If your business handles client data, financial transactions, or sensitive information, go with Business Premium for better security. If you’re just starting out and need basic email, file sharing, and collaboration, Business Standard is a great starting point.
🔹 Step 2: Why a Custom Domain Matters
🚨 Biggest mistake startups make? Using free email accounts like Gmail or Outlook.com.
A custom business email (e.g., [email protected]) instantly makes you look more professional and credible. Plus, it protects your brand and gives you more control over security.
✅ Looks Professional – Customers are more likely to trust [email protected] than [email protected].
✅ Better Security – Business emails on Microsoft 365 come with built-in encryption & phishing protection.
✅ Easier Scalability – You can add/remove users as your business grows.
📌 How to Set It Up: When you sign up for Microsoft 365, you’ll have the option to connect a custom domain. If you don’t have one yet, you can buy one directly from Microsoft or use providers like GoDaddy or Cloudflare.
🔹 Step 3: Essential Security Settings for Your Business
The default Microsoft 365 settings aren’t secure enough for business use—you need to configure them properly. Here are the first things you should do:
✅ Enable Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) – Stops 99% of password-based cyberattacks. ✅ Set Up Conditional Access (Business Premium Only) – Blocks login attempts from risky locations or unknown devices. ✅ Turn on Defender for Office 365 – Protects against phishing, ransomware, and malicious emails. ✅ Backup Your Data – Use OneDrive & SharePoint backups to protect files from accidental deletion or cyber threats.
📌 Bonus Tip: Regularly review Microsoft Secure Score (available in the admin panel) to see how well-protected your business is.
🚀 Ready to Get Started?
Setting up Microsoft 365 the right way ensures your business runs smoothly and stays protected from day one. If you need help with setup, security, or migration, we’re here to assist.
📞 Book a free consultation today!
📩 [email protected]
🌐 www.hiltdigital.co.uk