You’ve done your research, crafted the perfect customer profile, and created a robust marketing strategy. You even have a compelling sales copy that ends with a call-to-action guaranteed to have an impact. All seems great, until you hit that send button, and your perfectly crafted sales email lands in your customers’ inboxes and makes them wonder whether YourBusiness@HotInbox.net is legit in the first place. And honestly, who can blame them for it?
It’s surely tempting to rely on a free email provider, especially as it saves costs, but doing this could be wrecking your business without you realizing it. Let’s not forget that first impressions are everything in the business world, and you need to present yourself professionally in the eyes of customers if you want them to buy from you. Suppose you don’t have a custom email address yet; you need one as soon as possible so that you can build a strong reputation and actually make sales. Not convinced yet why you should make this move? Check out the 5 reasons why a custom domain email address is at the core of any successful business.
It gives your business credibility
Using a generic provider like Yahoo or Gmail when sending business emails carries the risk of not being taken seriously. To ensure that customers not only open the email you send but also trust it, it’s crucial to send it from a customized email address, such as yourname@yourbusiness.com, which demonstrates that you care about the image of your business.
The data show that 75% of U.S. consumers believe that a domain-based email matching their website is a crucial factor in helping them determine whether to trust an online business. You don’t want them to choose your competitors instead (which they won’t hesitate to do if they don’t find you reliable), so it only makes sense to switch to a custom email domain.
It’s a budget-friendly marketing tool
Marketing your brand can be costly, but there are budget-friendly ways to go about it, and investing in a custom email domain is one of them. While other marketing strategies require ongoing investment, setting up a custom email address has a lower cost and provides a high ROI.
In fact, the data suggests that companies earn an average of $42 for every dollar spent on email marketing, which clearly makes a custom email domain a worthwhile investment.
It decreases the risks of your emails ending up in spam folders
Did you know that about 20% of marketing emails end up in spam folders? That’s definitely not good news for your business, but you can improve your emails’ deliverability and ensure they are less likely to be marked as spam by switching to a custom email domain.
The reason behind this is that they are perceived as more reliable compared to those you send from generic providers like Yahoo and Gmail. However, that’s not all: custom domains also come with advanced authentication mechanisms, including DMARC and SPF, which further ensure they are legitimate and improve their deliverability.
It enhances your security
Utilizing a custom email domain comes with greater security compared to a free email provider, and that’s because the latter are often a prime target for spam and phishing attacks. Additionally, using a custom domain provides you with greater control over your email security settings, enabling you to implement stronger measures to protect your business communications.
If you haven’t yet been taking your email security seriously, this statistic will likely change your mind: 94% of malware is delivered through email, meaning that you could always fall victim to an attack, which could hurt your operations. Custom domains can give you peace of mind, as they come with an added layer of security for both your business and your customers.
It often comes with integrated tools
Custom email domain services often include additional tools that can streamline your operations and boost productivity. For instance, you may gain access to shared calendars, video conferencing tools, task management systems, and document collaboration platforms, among others.
These integrated tools result in improved communication and collaboration, making it easier to share files, coordinate tasks, manage team schedules, and more. Not only that, but some custom domain platforms even have CRM integrations, allowing your business to manage customer relationships and monitor service interactions right from the email app.
How to create a custom email address for your business
Now that you know the benefits, you may be eager to get your custom email address, but you may not know where to start. Here are some tips to help you establish a professional online presence via email:
- Utilize your domain name. Your custom email address should include your business’s domain name (yourname@yourbusiness.com), as this reinforces your brand’s reliability and ensures your communications appear professional.
- Take the time to choose an email hosting provider. Suppose your web hosting service doesn’t provide email hosting; you’ll have to look for an email hosting provider for the custom email address. Luckily, there are plenty of options to choose from. However, be sure to take the time to compare the pricing and features of the different plans, so you can select the one that fits your needs and budget.
- Make it simple and professional. The email address should be as simple to remember and spell as possible. Don’t use numbers, nicknames, or special characters; for instance, instead of john123@yourbusiness.com, go for john@yourbusiness.com.
The bottom line
With the proliferation of Gmail and other free email providers, having a custom email domain may seem pointless. However, this couldn’t be further from the truth. In fact, there’s nothing to lose and everything to gain by switching to a professional email address, which boosts your brand’s reputation and credibility. Not to mention that such a service is a relatively low-cost investment.
Whether you’re promoting a personal brand or running a small business, a custom email address is a unique identity, ensuring that your messages are taken seriously, so by now, you’re hopefully confident and ready to invest in this tool that can have such a big impact on your business.
lead photo by Khunkorn Laowisit
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