How to set up a business email address

A business email address can help your company appear more professional. Here's how to set one up.

Getting started

As a small business, getting your company online is usually high on the priority list. Being online can help your company reach a new audience, better engage with customers, and open up new marketing opportunities.

Establishing a well-thought out, comprehensive online presence may be the key to helping your business thrive and grow.

It's also important to ensure your online presence projects a sense of professionalism and reliability to both current and prospective customers. But how can you do this?

Creating a website

One of the most important aspects of establishing an effective online presence is building a website, which begins with selecting and registering your domain name (otherwise known as a web address).

A website is the hub of your company's online presence, helping users to find information on your services, engage with the business and even buy goods.

To get as many people as possible to see your website, opt for a .com domain extension. This is the global online standard and can be seen as trustworthy, because of .com's well-known reliability.

Once you've chosen your domain name and registered it through a registrar, you may be looking for other ways to make sure your business appears professional and reliable online. A quick, easy way of doing this is setting up a professional branded email address.

Why set up a business email address?

In a recent Verisign survey, 67% of respondents agreed that they're more likely to remember a professional branded address than a free email address.

By using a professional branded email address, your company can build credibility. It may also strengthen your brand's online presence, making it seem more trustworthy.

Also, with a professional branded email address, you're promoting your business every time you send an email. And small businesses can use all the promotion they can get! Just make sure your new email address includes your domain name.

A professional branded email address may also make your business seem larger and more established, which could help you appeal to a broader range of customers. So if you want a professional email address, see how easy it is to set up.

Establishing your email address

Setting up a professional email address can be easy and cheap, and there are three different options to choose from.

Email service provider

The first option is using an email service provider, like Gmail or Outlook.

When you register your domain name, you'll have the option to create a professional branded email address and have your emails redirected to any current email accounts you may have. This is as quick and easy as it sounds.

Website hosting provider

The second option is with the company hosting your website, or the registrar you registered your domain name with.

These companies generally have a free offering included with your domain or hosting package, and offer a more comprehensive business email service at a low monthly cost, once your business grows and your needs become more sophisticated.

This will also typically include support from your provider, and is a happy medium for those wanting a slightly more advanced email service, without breaking the bank.

Premium email services

The third option is for those who need more from their email service, and require other online business tools to complement it.

Services like the Office 365 Small Business package are adaptable enough to allow users to pick and choose what features they want.

While there is cost involved, users with a more specific set of needs may be better off with this third and final option.

Make the choice

As with almost everything, there is a definite correlation between the amount of money you're willing to spend and how comprehensive your professional email service will be. Each option has its merits, and you should think long and hard about which is right for you before jumping in.

Relevant resources

• How to choose a domain name that will make your start-up successful

• Website building checklist: What small business owners need to consider

• How to build a small business website on a low budget