Setting up a business email address is an important part of your overall branding strategy, but it’s a relatively simple and inexpensive task. Below, we will discuss the options available to you and explain why you should give careful consideration to the account provider and business email address you choose.
Why you should set up a branded business email address
If you need to set up an email address for professional purposes, it’s far better to go down the branded route, rather than setting up a generic named account with Yahoo, Gmail, or Hotmail, for example. This is an effective way to establish a brand image and create a level of corporate prestige and professionalism.
To set up a branded business email address, you will need to purchase a custom domain extension from a domain registrar or web hosting provider. In fact, many web hosting packages include domain name registration and business email accounts, meaning that you can set up and manage your company’s web presence in one place.
Creating different email addresses with the same custom domain extension is also an effective way to organise your business internally. Rather than having just one address where all emails are delivered, you can set up different addresses for each department or service, such as:
- yourname@yourcompany.co.uk
- generalenquiries@yourcompany.co.uk
- sales@yourcompany.co.uk
- accounts@yourcompany.co.uk
- refunds@yourcompany.co.uk
- complaints@yourcompany.co.uk
How to register a domain name
Registering a domain name will enable you to create a professional online presence for your company. A domain name is a unique website address that can also be used as a domain extension for email addresses. For example: our company name is Rapid Formations, and the domain name for our web pages and email addresses is rapidformations.co.uk.
This kind of uniformity is a really effective way to establish a strong web presence and brand image. It will impact the way your company is viewed by potential clients, it will add legitimacy and help to build trust in your business, and it makes your emails instantly recognisable to recipients.
You can register a domain name with any accredited ICANN registrar in the UK. Ideally, check that your proposed company name is available to register as a domain name before setting up a company. By doing so, you can ensure that your domain name and company name are the same.
Free email providers
As far as free providers go, Mail.com is particularly good because you can choose from over 200 domains to create a personalised email address that is relevant to your work.
Many of these domains are suitable for lots of different professions – @lawyer.com, @deliveryman.com, @consultant.com, which is a great option if you are not quite ready to establish a full web presence by registering a domain name and setting up a website.
Sole traders will often use this kind of email account, particularly those who are just starting out.
Please note that the information provided in this article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, tax, or professional advice. While our aim is that the content is accurate and up to date, it should not be relied upon as a substitute for tailored advice from qualified professionals. We strongly recommend that you seek independent legal and tax advice specific to your circumstances before acting on any information contained in this article. We accept no responsibility or liability for any loss or damage that may result from your reliance on the information provided in this article. Use of the information contained in this article is entirely at your own risk.
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Comments (11)
It’ѕ һard to find educatеd peopⅼe in this particular topic,
but you sound like you know what yоu’re talking about! Thanks
Thank you for your kind comments.
Kind regards,
The Rapid Formations Team
I’ve set up a website with an new email address on Godaddy but I don’t know how to access the emails?
Thank you for your kind enquiry, Karen.
It should be noted that a website and an email domain are different things and it may be that you have only purchased a web domain. If you have not purchased an email domain as part of your web domain purchase, you should be able to do so from Names.co.uk or GoDaddy.
We trust this information is of use to you.
Kind regards,
The Rapid Formations Team
Hi Rachel, I have been reading your posts and they are so helpful !!
thank you so much for clarifying these subjects.
Hi Rachel,
I recently purchased an all inclusive “register a business” package from rapid formations and within the package I included the free domain name. How do I get access to this and start setting email/website up?
Thanks,
Aaron
Dear Aaron
To acquire your domain name please call our office on 020 7871 9990 and explain that you want a domain name and our team will put you through to the appropriate person who can assist you.
Best Regards,
Hi..i am running an ltd and i need a timesheet email adress and a payroll email adress…how can i do it?thanks
Hi Catalin,
If you need separate email addresses for sending and receiving timesheet and payroll paperwork, you can set up multiple addresses with the same domain name – i.e. timesheets@yourcompanyname.com / payroll@yourcompanyname.com
To do this, you will need to purchase a domain name and set up a business email account that provides multiple addresses.
Best wishes,
Rachel
Hi,
I would like to set up a co.uk email address,but there is something that I dont understand.
Is the website and the emails are seperate? The reason why I am asking That I need an email address first and after will need website as well. How does it work together? Wich one do i need to have first? Or If I buy a co.uk email, can someone else set me up a website after? I dont realy understant ths part. Can you help me out please?
Also if I buy 10gb one can I upgrade after for bigger one?
Thnaks,
David
Hi David,
Websites and email addresses are always a confusing area!
You need to first purchase a domain name. This will be used for both your website address and business email addresses. For example, if you bought the domain name ‘davidlang.co.uk’ your website address would be http://www.davidlang.co.uk and your email could be enquiries@davidlang.co.uk, or something similar. You can use the domain for multiple email addresses with different prefixes.
You can set up an email address first, that’s not a problem, or you can set one up at the same time as your website. It’s up to you. Once you buy the domain name, it’s yours to use as and when you please. If you choose to set up your website at a later date, you will simply add your existing domain to it at that time.
Take a look here: https://www.123-reg.co.uk/email-hosting/ and here: https://www.godaddy.com/garage/ready-get-online-weve-got-covered/.
It’s really easy to buy a domain and set up email and/or a website on those sites. They offer various email packages so you can upgrade and get more GB whenever you need to.
You don’t have to stay with the company you set up your email and website with – you can change them at any time by redirecting your domain, so don’t worry about being stuck with GoDaddy, for example, if you find a better email account or web host in the future. As long as you own the domain, you can move it.
I hope this helps.
Rachel