In today’s connected world, email remains the cornerstone of communication for businesses. Despite the rise of instant messaging services like Slack and Teams, email is still the main form of communication for businesses of all sizes. It remains the most recognised and reliable method of communication for cross-business messaging.
However, not all email addresses are created equal. Unfortunately, many businesses continue using email addresses with @gmail.com, @outlook.com, @yahoo.com, and similar domains. This may seem like a minor matter of preference, but it can actually have a significant impact on how your business is perceived and on the potential security of your customers’ inboxes.
In this article, we’ll explore why your business should always have a professional, branded email address (such as you@yourbusiness.com) and the benefits it brings.
Professionalism
First impressions matter, and your email address is often one of the first things your potential clients see. In my time as a web professional, I’ve seen many sign-written vans drive past with generic email providers plastered on the side.
A professional, branded email address instantly conveys credibility and reliability. It signals that your business is legitimate and well-established, giving clients confidence in your services or products. In contrast, using a generic email provider like Gmail or Yahoo appears unprofessional and may lead potential clients to question the authenticity or seriousness of your business. You may not feel that it’s important, but your clients might! I know from experience that when I see a non-domain-specific email for a business, I immediately consider that this might be a new side hustle for someone.
This issue becomes even more apparent when your business has a team of two or more. Branded email addresses allow for consistency across your team. When everyone in your team uses a branded email address, it reinforces your brand identity. This consistency can enhance trust in your brand, making your business more memorable to clients and partners.
Protect Your Customers from Phishing
Email phishing is a significant threat in today’s online environment, where cybercriminals attempt to deceive individuals into providing sensitive information by posing as legitimate businesses. One of the most common tactics used in phishing scams is sending emails from addresses that closely resemble real company email addresses.
By using a professional email address tied to your own domain, you reduce the risk of your customers being duped by phishing attempts. Your clients will become familiar with your official domain and can more easily identify fraudulent emails that do not match it. If your business email is also from a generic provider such as Google or Yahoo, it might be very difficult for your customers to differentiate what is a phishing email and what is from you!
Separate from Personal Inbox
Another key advantage of using a branded email address is the clear separation it creates between your personal and business communications. Using a personal email account for business purposes can lead to confusion, miscommunication, and even breaches of privacy. It blurs the lines between your work and personal life, making it harder to manage your inbox and prioritise important business messages.
A professional email address ensures that all business-related communications are kept in one place, making it easier to stay organised. Moreover, when your business grows, it’s easy to add additional email accounts for new employees or colleagues, all unified under your business’s domain.
Investing in a professional email address is a simple yet powerful way to enhance your business’s image, protect your customers from phishing, and keep your communications organised. It’s a small step that can make a significant difference in how your business is perceived and how efficiently it operates.
If you haven’t already made the switch to a professional email, now is the time to consider it. Your business’s reputation, security, and overall success could depend on it. If you’d like a managed solution for your business email needs, why not get in touch with your Business IT Support partners? They will be able to guide you through the whole process, providing a hands-off approach!