{"id":4701,"date":"2023-04-25T13:12:38","date_gmt":"2023-04-25T18:12:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lg-staging.lougcloud.com\/?p=4701"},"modified":"2026-02-11T11:48:07","modified_gmt":"2026-02-11T16:48:07","slug":"microsoft-365-upgrade-reasons-business-basic-price-increase","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lg-staging.lougcloud.com\/?p=4701","title":{"rendered":"Is Your Business Ready for the Microsoft 365 Price Increase? 5 Reasons to Upgrade from Microsoft 365 Business Basic"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<style type=\"text\/css\" data-created_by=\"avia_inline_auto\" id=\"style-css-av-85bp3-f856194ef33e7bc72ec0d3bf98278fce\">\n.flex_column.av-85bp3-f856194ef33e7bc72ec0d3bf98278fce{\nborder-radius:0px 0px 0px 0px;\npadding:0px 0px 0px 0px;\n}\n<\/style>\n<div  class='flex_column av-85bp3-f856194ef33e7bc72ec0d3bf98278fce av_one_full  avia-builder-el-0  el_before_av_section  avia-builder-el-no-sibling  first flex_column_div av-zero-column-padding  '     ><p><br \/>\n<section  class='av_textblock_section av-k0pon615-92ea21455f84089b14b66129c69212c2 '  ><div class='avia_textblock' ><h1>Is Your Business Ready for the Microsoft 365 Price Increase? 5 Reasons to Upgrade from Microsoft 365 Business Basic<\/h1>\n<\/div><\/section><br \/>\n<section  class='av_textblock_section av-k0pop9td-399c35357da9cf26107da9a57de824c5 '  ><div class='avia_textblock' ><p><a href=\"https:\/\/lg-staging.lougcloud.com\/it-services\/enterprise-it-services\/vendor-relationship-management\/microsoft\/\">Microsoft 365<\/a> offers a robust suite of tools designed to enhance communication, collaboration, and productivity for businesses of all sizes. However, with multiple subscription plans available, choosing the right license can be overwhelming\u2014especially with Microsoft\u2019s price increase taking effect on April 1, 2025.<\/p>\n<p>Many businesses start with Microsoft 365 Business Basic because it\u2019s an affordable entry point at just $6 per user per month (when billed annually). While it includes core services like Microsoft Teams, SharePoint, OneDrive, and web-based Office apps, many organizations quickly outgrow its limitations.<\/p>\n<p>If your business is still using Microsoft 365 Business Basic, here are five key reasons to consider upgrading.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-8318\" src=\"https:\/\/lg-staging.lougcloud.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/business-it-subscription-management-team-working.jpg\" alt=\"business-it-subscription-management-team-working\" width=\"1200\" height=\"628\" srcset=\"https:\/\/lg-staging.lougcloud.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/business-it-subscription-management-team-working.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/lg-staging.lougcloud.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/business-it-subscription-management-team-working-300x157.jpg 300w, https:\/\/lg-staging.lougcloud.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/business-it-subscription-management-team-working-1030x539.jpg 1030w, https:\/\/lg-staging.lougcloud.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/business-it-subscription-management-team-working-768x402.jpg 768w, https:\/\/lg-staging.lougcloud.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/business-it-subscription-management-team-working-705x369.jpg 705w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/p>\n<h2>Microsoft 365 Price Increase Coming April 1, 2025 \u2013 Is It Time to Upgrade?<\/h2>\n<h3>1. Desktop Versions of Office Apps Improve Productivity<\/h3>\n<p>One of the biggest drawbacks of the Business Basic plan is that it only includes web and mobile versions of Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. Many users require the full desktop versions of Microsoft Office apps for enhanced functionality and offline access.<\/p>\n<p>Upgrading to Microsoft 365 Business Standard ($12.50 per user\/month) or Microsoft 365 Business Premium ($22 per user\/month) provides access to the full suite of desktop applications, including Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint, Word, Publisher, and Access (Windows only).<\/p>\n<p>For businesses that rely heavily on document creation, data analysis, and presentations, having desktop apps ensures a seamless and efficient workflow.<\/p>\n<h3>2. Copilot AI is Only Available on Certain Plans<\/h3>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/lg-staging.lougcloud.com\/it-services\/enterprise-it-services\/vendor-relationship-management\/microsoft\/microsoft-365-copilot\/\">Microsoft\u2019s Copilot<\/a>, which enhances productivity through automation, intelligent suggestions, and advanced data analysis, is only available with specific Microsoft 365 plans. Business Basic users do not have access to Copilot.<\/p>\n<p>By upgrading to Business Standard, Business Premium, or an enterprise plan, your team can take advantage of AI-driven capabilities to work smarter, streamline processes, and boost efficiency.<\/p>\n<h3>3. Advanced Security &amp; Compliance Protect Your Business<\/h3>\n<p>With cyber threats on the rise, businesses must take security seriously. While Business Basic includes standard security features, upgrading to Microsoft 365 Business Premium provides:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Advanced threat protection against phishing, ransomware, and malware<\/li>\n<li>Enterprise-grade endpoint security to safeguard devices and sensitive data<\/li>\n<li>Enhanced compliance controls to meet industry regulations<\/li>\n<li>Conditional access &amp; multi-factor authentication for improved account security<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>For businesses handling confidential data or working in regulated industries, the added security features in Business Premium are essential.<\/p>\n<h3>4. Licensing Flexibility Saves Costs &amp; Aligns with Roles<\/h3>\n<p>Many business owners don\u2019t realize that Microsoft allows mixing and matching license types within an organization. You\u2019re not required to assign the same Microsoft 365 plan to every user.<\/p>\n<p>For example:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Sales teams might only need the basic features of Business Basic<\/li>\n<li>Finance and executives may require Business Standard or Premium for advanced tools<\/li>\n<li>IT and security teams might need Microsoft 365 E5 for additional compliance and security capabilities<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>By strategically assigning licenses, businesses can reduce unnecessary costs while ensuring each user has the right tools for their role.<\/p>\n<h3>5. Increased Storage and Email Capabilities<\/h3>\n<p>While Business Basic includes 1TB of OneDrive storage per user, businesses with higher email and data needs may require:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Larger mailboxes (50GB) and bigger attachment limits (150MB per email) with Business Standard and Premium.<\/li>\n<li>Email retention policies and compliance solutions in Business Premium to meet regulatory requirements.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>Need Help Navigating Microsoft 365 Changes?<\/h2>\n<p>Whether you&#8217;re considering a license upgrade or preparing for Microsoft\u2019s price increase, the right support can make all the difference. Beyond helping you select the most cost-effective plan, your IT partner should also provide ongoing support for security, compliance, user management, and productivity tools.<\/p>\n<p>For a deeper dive into how we support businesses using Microsoft 365, check out <a href=\"https:\/\/lg-staging.lougcloud.com\/news\/the-ultimate-guide-to-microsoft-365-support-in-louisville\/\">The Ultimate Guide to Microsoft 365 Support in Louisville<\/a>. It outlines how our team helps local businesses get the most from their investment, from email and Teams management to advanced security and tenant migrations.<\/p>\n<h2>How Louisville Geek Can Help<\/h2>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/lg-staging.lougcloud.com\/news\/which-microsoft-365-plan-is-right-for-my-business\/\">Choosing the right Microsoft 365 license is just the first step<\/a>\u2014Louisville Geek handles the entire process, from procurement and license assignment to ongoing account administration and support. We ensure your business has the right tools while optimizing costs and security.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/lg-staging.lougcloud.com\/contact-us\/\">Contact us today to explore your options and maximize your Microsoft 365 investment before the price increase on April 1, 2025.<\/a><\/p>\n<h3>About Louisville Geek<\/h3>\n<p>Louisville Geek helps organizations get more value from their technology by delivering reliable IT support, cloud expertise, and security focused solutions. Our team works closely with business leaders to simplify day to day operations, improve productivity, and strengthen protection against modern threats. As a <a href=\"https:\/\/lg-staging.lougcloud.com\/it-services\/enterprise-it-services\/vendor-relationship-management\/microsoft\/\">Microsoft partner<\/a>, we support everything from licensing and migrations to ongoing management and user support, giving businesses the confidence that their systems are set up the right way and maintained with care.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/section><\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><!-- close content main div --><\/div><\/div><div id='newsletter-cta'  class='avia-section av-adutil-cbbacd25902e1665e9c770d151f6d253 main_color avia-section-default avia-no-border-styling  avia-builder-el-4  el_after_av_one_full  avia-builder-el-last  avia-bg-style-scroll container_wrap fullsize'  ><div class='container av-section-cont-open' ><div class='template-page content  av-content-full alpha units'><div class='post-entry post-entry-type-page post-entry-4701'><div class='entry-content-wrapper clearfix'>\n\n<style type=\"text\/css\" data-created_by=\"avia_inline_auto\" id=\"style-css-av-9hm73x-51c2702469aded2c79e0ae16f7ed284b\">\n.flex_column.av-9hm73x-51c2702469aded2c79e0ae16f7ed284b{\nborder-radius:0px 0px 0px 0px;\npadding:0px 0px 0px 0px;\n}\n<\/style>\n<div  class='flex_column av-9hm73x-51c2702469aded2c79e0ae16f7ed284b av_one_half  avia-builder-el-5  el_before_av_one_half  avia-builder-el-first  first flex_column_div av-zero-column-padding  '     ><section  class='av_textblock_section av-79p6kt-0fdf367600ffd1fa765b468c0d3dbcff '  ><div class='avia_textblock' ><p>Get expert IT tips, industry insights, and updates on the latest managed IT solutions for your business. Stay ahead of the competition and ensure your IT systems are optimized with Louisville Geek&#8217;s trusted services.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/section><\/div>\n<style type=\"text\/css\" data-created_by=\"avia_inline_auto\" id=\"style-css-av-59jnrx-c82035241babec8b817828496f7dc311\">\n.flex_column.av-59jnrx-c82035241babec8b817828496f7dc311{\nborder-radius:0px 0px 0px 0px;\npadding:0px 0px 0px 0px;\n}\n<\/style>\n<div  class='flex_column av-59jnrx-c82035241babec8b817828496f7dc311 av_one_half  avia-builder-el-7  el_after_av_one_half  avia-builder-el-last  flex_column_div av-zero-column-padding  '     ><section  class='av_textblock_section av-4oxmt9-2b45f25c1d352804e2bf061fb10f69f2 '  ><div class='avia_textblock' ><h3>Stay updated by signing up for our newsletter<\/h3>\n<\/div><\/section><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Microsoft 365\u2019s price increase is coming on April 1, 2025\u2014is your business on the right plan? Upgrading from Business Basic unlocks desktop apps, Copilot AI, advanced security, and more. Louisville Geek manages licensing and administration\u2014contact us today!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":4709,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[12],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-4701","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-microsoft"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v28.2 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Microsoft 365 Price Update | Upgrade Support by Louisville Geek<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Learn how to prepare for the Microsoft 365 Business price increase on April 1, 2025. 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