FROM NZCB —
Karla Farrar Communications & Group Services Manager
What’s in a name? Having a professional digital presence is more important than ever. You know you’re more likely to choose a product or service if they have a professional-looking website. The same rule applies when you receive a quote from a business – if they have a funny-sounding email address, it’s off-putting. Here are five reasons why you need a custom domain name email address for your business: 5. A branded email does your marketing for you
1. @gmail or @hotmail screams ‘unprofessional or one-man-band!’ If you receive a quote from someone and you’re about to spend a large sum of money on a new build or building renovation, who are you going to trust – coolguy69@ hotmail.com or sales@probuilders.com? Using a free email address makes you sound cheap and it might also give the impression you cut corners and run an unprofessional operation. Free email addresses definitely don’t give off a good first impression.
2. You’re already paying for it If you already pay for a domain name, e.g. www.probuilders. com, then you also get access to professional domain name email addresses to match, such as sales@ probuilders.com. Many domain name plans now include email hosting, or they may charge a small monthly fee to have one. The investment is definitely worth the cost!
Have you ever seen someone’s email address on a business card and looked up the website because you were curious? That doesn’t happen with free email addresses. If you use your domain within your email address, you’re getting your brand in front of more people. That email address should appear in each employee’s email signature, as well as on business cards, and marketing materials. Each time you showcase your branded email address it’s another opportunity to attract new business. Last but not least: It pays to try and have the shortest name possible in your custom domain name. Make sure it’s easy to pronounce and spell! First impressions are everything. Building your brand is easier to do with a domain name email address. Consider your email address your calling card, and make it memorable.
3. You can standardise all your business email addresses This is really important if you have more than one staff member. You need to have consistency with the presentation of your email addresses, e.g. firstname@domainname.com. It is also a great way to organise your emails too. You might want to use different email addresses to organise your inbox, even if you don’t have any staff. For example, you could get all your bills/accounts sent to a separate email address such as accounts@domainname.com.
4. When someone leaves your company, you keep control What happens when one of your staff leaves? If your staff member was using a free email address, then chances are they will take all their emails and communications with them. If they had a company domain name email address, then it will be easy for you to get them redirected to someone else, so they can be answered.
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It pays to try and have the shortest name possible in your custom domain name. Make sure it’s easy to pronounce and spell! First impressions are everything.