If you’re setting up a website for your business and wondering if you should also set up a personalized email address, the short answer is yes, you should.
If you want to be taken seriously by your future customers, you probably don’t want to use something like “[email protected]” as your professional email address for your business, right?
Although this is one of the most common mistakes young entrepreneurs and aspiring entrepreneurs make, if you don’t present your business image as important, chances are your customer won’t see it. neither. Your company’s brand and image on the internet is seen through its online presence, including the main site, blog and social media accounts, but also through the official email address – so create- one that will reflect your brand in a positive light and build trust.
On top of that, setting up a custom email address is surprisingly easy to do – all you really have to do is register a domain name, purchase an email hosting plan, and connect your newly created personalized email address with the messaging platform you want to use.
So, to help you out, we’ll go through the process of creating a personalized email address step by step and explore the main reasons why you would want to do it in the first place. However, first let’s clarify what exactly a personalized email address is.
What is a personalized email address?
As the name suggests, a personalized email address uses a custom domain name as opposed to a generic name, which gives it a more unique appearance.
For example, instead of “[email protected]” that we mentioned above, it might look like [email protected] So, by choosing to create a personalized email address, you will be the one who decides what comes before and after the “@” symbol, while with a generic name, you can only choose what comes after the “@” symbol – so your choices are somewhat limited.
Step-by-step guide on creating a personalized email address
The complete setup of a personalized email address can be broken down into three simple steps.
1. Go get a domain name
The first step in creating a personalized email address is to purchase a domain name (it’s a good idea to get one of the top-level domains like .com, .org, and .net), and this is child’s play.
There are two main paths you can take and choosing the right one depends on whether or not you are looking to build a website that uses that domain name.
Alternatively, you can visit one of the well-known domain name registrars (such as NameCheap, Google Domains, or Domain.com) and purchase a domain for around $12 per year. As an alternative, you can get it directly from email hosting providers (like Google Workspace) and enjoy the benefits of an automatic connection between your domain name and your email host.
On the other hand, if you’re planning to build a website, your best bet is to buy a web hosting package that comes with a free domain name (something like Bluehost’s entry-level plan). Since some website building services offer free domain registration (for about a year), you can opt for this option as well.
2. Connect your domain to your email host
If you’re not using the benefits of automatically connecting your domain to your email host, you’ll have to roll up your sleeves and do it yourself. For example, if you purchased your domain as part of a hosting package, you’ll need to review the instructions provided by your hosting provider and set up your personalized email address.
When you get to your host’s dashboard, you’ll likely see a button labeled “Email,” so tap that and follow the instructions your host has given you. However, as this step varies from host to host, we will cite some examples in one of the following chapters.
3. You can also connect your email to a third-party email host
Although this step is optional, if you want to connect your email to your preferred third-party email host (such as Gmail, Outlook.com, or Apple Mail), now is a good time to do so.
This process differs slightly with each email platform, so be sure to check the procedures provided by your desired email host. This usually includes creating an account on the platform (if you don’t already have one), importing your email address, and passing a verification process.
Benefits of having a personalized email address
The simplest advantage of having a personalized email address is its simplicity – they are easier to remember (especially if you have a catchy business name) and therefore make it easier for your potential or current customers to contact you. If they remembered your domain name, chances are they remembered your email address as well.
Additionally, a personalized email address will lend credibility and consistency to your business, as well as brand awareness, which means people will see your business as more professional, established, and expert in its market.
It’s also more convenient for your business since you’ll be able to create multiple email addresses for different departments (like sales, billing, and customer support) and even for your blog.
How to Set Up a Custom Email Address with Bluehost, Hostinger, and Zoho
Since the best web hosting providers often offer free email accounts, all you need to do to set up a custom email address is purchase their hosting package and follow a few simple steps.
With Bluehost, these steps include logging into your Bluehost control panel, tapping “Email & Office” on the left side of the screen, and clicking “Add Email Account.” In this section, you will be asked to complete your personalized email address and come up with a strong password for it. Once done, click “Create Account”, wait a few seconds for Bluehost to create your personalized email address, and you’re done.
Since all of Hostinger’s hosting solutions include default email accounts, the process is quite similar to Bluehost’s. So, go to the hPanel, go to “Emails”, and click on “Email Accounts”. There you will see a button labeled “Add New Email Account” – so tap on it and fill in your username and a password. Once you’re done, click “Create” and wait for your new personalized email address to appear in the “Manage Email Accounts” section.
While Bluehost and Hostinger are full-fledged web hosting providers, Zoho is geared more towards email hosting as well as all the things a small business might need (such as (CRM, online workplaces and online office suite) – so the setup will be a little easier.
After choosing a plan with Zoho, you will be asked to select your DNS manager and add your domain name or register a new one. Next, you will need to complete the registration process and once that is done, click on “Register”, after which you will be able to log in to your “Zoho Mail” account. Once there, you’ll be able to add users and create custom email accounts (note that there are severe limits if you’re on a free plan). You can also import users from a CSV file or your Active Directory.
Go further with a personalized email address
Since we’re at the end of the road, let’s emphasize the importance of setting up a personalized email address for any company that takes itself seriously and plans to sweep the competition.
The process of setting up a custom email address is surprisingly simple, even for non-techies – and with our quick guide, you’ll be up and running in minutes. So choose your email hosting provider and get things done.
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