Communication is key–in the business world, your relationships, and everywhere. With email being one of the most common ways to communicate with customers and colleagues, ensuring that your emails represent your brand in the best possible way is important. One way to do that is by using a branded email address.
In this article, we'll dive deeply into all things branded email addresses - what they are, why they're important, and how you can get your branded email address in 2023 using Strikingly.
What is Branded Email?
A branded email address is a custom email address with your preferred name and domain name. Here are a few examples of branded email addresses:
- mike@bettergardening.com
- partners@southhampton.law
- no-reply@bankofmeaningfulcountries.com
A branded email address is a powerful tool to help businesses like yours stand out in a crowded online marketplace. When you use a branded email address, you're not just creating an email account - you're creating a representation of your brand that will be seen by customers, clients, and colleagues alike. It's an opportunity to convey professionalism and credibility and reinforce your brand identity with every email you send.
Using a generic email address can be a missed opportunity for businesses. It can create an impression that your business is not legitimate or serious about its operations. In contrast, a branded email address that includes your business's name or domain name can create a sense of trust and professionalism in your audience. It shows that your business is established and serious about its operations and you take pride in your brand.
Having a branded email address also creates consistency in your branding efforts. It aligns your email communication with other marketing efforts, such as your website, social media profiles, and business cards. This consistency can help to establish brand recognition and improve customer trust.
Why Brand Your Email?
Image taken from a Strikingly user’s website
Now that we know what a branded email address is, let's explore why you should consider branding your email. Here are a few reasons:
- Branding in Email Communication
Your email communication is an important extension of your brand identity. Getting your own branded email can help you maintain consistency across all your communication channels. Your email address is one of the first things people see when they receive an email from you, and having a branded email address can reinforce your brand's message, values, and identity.
- Improving Brand Image and Customer Trust
Getting your own branded email can help to establish your business's credibility and increase customer trust. A branded email address shows that you are serious about your business and have taken the time to create a professional image. This can be especially important when dealing with potential customers, as they may be hesitant to do business with a company that doesn't appear legitimate or professional.
- Securing Your Communication and Data
Everyone knows free e-mail service providers are prone to spamming, hacking, phishing, and malware attacks. Well, they’re free for a reason. And while they claim to have security features in place, free e-mail service providers don’t have the necessary security measures. You should not entrust it with your confidential business operations.
Using a professional email address gives you the protection you need to secure your business from malicious internet activities.
How to Get Your Own Branded Email
Now that we've covered the why, let's talk about the how. There are several options for obtaining a branded email address, including:
1. Purchase a domain name and set up email hosting
This is the most common way to obtain a branded email address. To do this, you need to purchase a domain name or the web address of your website (e.g., yourbusiness.com). You can purchase a domain name from a domain registrar such as GoDaddy or Namecheap, and it typically costs around $10-15 per year, depending on your preferred extension (.com, net, .edu, etc.). Once you have your domain name, you can set up email hosting with a provider such as Google Workspace, Microsoft 365, or Zoho Mail. This will allow you to create branded email addresses using your domain name (e.g., rachel.zane@yourbusiness.com).
2. Use a website builder with email hosting capabilities
Some website builders, such as Strikingly, offer built-in email hosting as part of their service. This means that you can create and manage your branded email addresses directly within the website builder without needing a separate email hosting provider. This can be a convenient and cost-effective option, especially if you already use the website builder for your business's website. With Strikingly, for example, you can choose a domain name and create branded email addresses using your domain name as part of your website-building process. This makes it easy to manage all aspects of your online presence in one place.
Using Strikingly to Create a Branded Email Address
If you're looking for an easy and affordable way to create a branded email address in 2023, Strikingly is a great option. Here's how to do it:
1. Sign up for Strikingly and choose a plan that includes email hosting
Getting your own branded email with Strikingly is easy and cheap. First, you must sign up for an account and choose a plan that includes email hosting. Strikingly offers a variety of plans, including a free plan and paid plans that start at $8 per month. Each plan includes different features and levels of email hosting, so be sure to choose the one that's right for your business. We recommend getting on any of their yearly plans to get a free domain name.
2. Choose a domain name for your business
Once you've signed up for Strikingly, you need to choose a domain name. You can either use an existing domain name that you've already purchased, or purchase a new one through Strikingly. When choosing a domain name, it's important to choose one that reflects your brand's identity and is easy to remember.
3. Create your branded email address in the Strikingly email dashboard
After you've chosen your domain name, you can create your branded email address in the Strikingly email dashboard. This is where you can create, manage, and delete email accounts for your business. To create a branded email address, click on the "Email Accounts" tab in the dashboard and follow the prompts to create a new email account using your domain name.
4. Set up your email client to send and receive emails using your new branded email address
Once you've created your branded email address, you need to set up your email client (such as Gmail or Outlook) to send and receive emails using your new branded email address. Strikingly has its own webmail login page but using an email client makes it easier for you to manage your emails.
Strikingly provides detailed instructions on how to set up your email client for your branded email address, so be sure to follow these instructions carefully to ensure that your email is set up correctly.
Guide to Email Branding
Once you've set up your branded email address, it's important to make sure that your emails are consistent with your brand's identity. Here are some tips for email branding:
- Choose the right domain name
Your domain name is a crucial part of your brand identity, and it's important to choose a domain name that's easy to remember and reflects your brand's identity. Consider using a .com domain if possible, as it's the most common and recognizable domain extension. This can make it easier for people to remember your website and email address and help establish your business's credibility.
- Choose the right email address format
Your email address should be easy to read and understand and reflect your role within the company. Consider using a format that includes your first name and last name or your role within the company (such as john.doe@yourbusiness.com or ceo@yourbusiness.com). This can help establish your identity and position within the company and make it easier for people to contact you.
- Design a branded email signature
Your email signature is an opportunity to reinforce your brand with every email you send. Consider including your business's logo, social media links, and a call-to-action (such as a link to your website or a recent blog post). This can help to create a consistent and professional image for your business and can encourage people to engage with your brand outside of email communication.
- Create an email marketing campaign with a branded email address
If you're using email marketing to promote your business, make sure that your emails are sent from your branded email address. This helps to establish your business's credibility and can increase open rates. Using a branded email address for your email marketing campaigns can create a consistent and professional image for your business. You can help to establish trust with your audience.
Examples of Branded Email Addresses
Now that we've covered the basics of branded email addresses and how to create one using Strikingly, let's take a look at some real-life examples of businesses using branded email addresses:
- Apple - The technology giant is known for using branded email addresses such as info@apple.com and support@apple.com. Using a branded email address, Apple can create a professional image for its business and establish customer trust. These branded email addresses also help to reinforce Apple's brand identity, making it easier for customers to recognize and remember the company's email addresses.
- Nike - The sports apparel company uses a variety of branded email addresses, including customerservice@nike.com and info@nike.com. These branded email addresses help create a professional and trustworthy image for Nike's business and make it easier for customers to contact the company with any questions or concerns. Using a branded email address, Nike can reinforce its brand identity and create a consistent image across all communication channels.
- Microsoft - The software company uses a variety of branded email addresses, including sales@microsoft.com and support@microsoft.com. Using branded email addresses, Microsoft can create a professional image for its business and establish trust with its customers. These branded email addresses also help to reinforce Microsoft's brand identity and make it easier for customers to recognize and remember the company's email addresses. Using a branded email address, Microsoft can also promote its brand and establish a consistent image across all communication channels.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is getting your own branded email more expensive than regular email addresses?
Not necessarily. While some additional costs may be associated with setting up email hosting and purchasing a domain name, the cost of a branded email address is generally comparable to a regular email address. Some website builders like Strikingly offer built-in email hosting as part of their service, making it more affordable and convenient for businesses to create branded email addresses.
2. Can I use my branded email address with Gmail?
Yes, you can use your branded email address with Gmail. Simply follow the instructions provided by your email hosting provider to set up your branded email address with Gmail. This allows you to use your branded email address with Gmail's user-friendly interface and take advantage of Gmail's features, such as calendar integration, mobile apps, and more.
3. How can I ensure my branded email address is secure?
To make sure that your branded email address is secure, it's important to choose a reputable email hosting provider that offers robust security features such as spam filters and antivirus protection, like Strikingly. This can help prevent unauthorized access to your email account and protect sensitive information. Additionally, make sure you choose a strong password and enable two-factor authentication, which adds an extra layer of security to your account. By taking these steps, you can ensure that your branded email address is secure and protected from potential threats.
Conclusion
In today's digital age, getting your branded email is more important than ever. With so many businesses competing for attention online, it's crucial to stand out and make a positive impression on potential clients and customers. A branded email address can do just that by establishing your business's credibility and projecting a professional image.
Using Strikingly to create a branded email address in 2023 is a convenient and cost-effective option for businesses of all sizes. Whether you're just starting out or looking to upgrade your existing email address, Strikingly offers a variety of plans and features to meet your needs.
By following the tips and examples in this article, you'll be well on your way to getting your own branded email that represents your brand in the best possible way. From choosing the right domain name to designing a branded email signature, there are many ways to ensure your email communication is consistent with your brand's identity.
In summary, a branded email address can help you to establish your business's credibility, increase customer trust, and project a professional image. With Strikingly, creating a branded email address has never been easier or more affordable.
Why wait? Start branding your email today and take your business to the next level!
