Need to know how to use Gmail with a custom domain? Be prepared to discover everything you need, plus a shiny new alternative maybe. Step this way…
Why would you want to use Gmail with a custom domain? Well, every business wants to really connect with its customers. If you’re anything like the majority of businesses, the two main “bridges” you use to do that are your website and email. The first one is where customers will get the most information and make purchases, while the second is how you often do marketing or send updates.
What can help heaps, both in terms of brand awareness and marketing, is being able to use Gmail with a custom domain name. But, what benefits can this bring, and, perhaps more importantly, how easy is it to do? We got you covered in this guide.
Can You Use Gmail With a Custom Domain? What Is It?
The answer is yes, you can use a custom domain with Gmail. But let’s be honest here. If you’ve decided to stick with using a Gmail account with a custom domain, it can be hard to get the professionalism of your brand across as all your emails will end in “gmail.com.” Free email is a great look when you’re a student, less so when you want someone to trust you with your money.
That’s why, while a Gmail address is convenient and has tonnes of features, seeing a business still using a Gmail address can be a bit of a turnoff for some folks.
But if you do decide to use a Gmail account with a custom domain, then you’re upping your brand’s recognisability. When you send emails, whether they’re marketing emails or newsletters, people can be um and ah when they don’t see a branded email address.
Why would you want to use Gmail with your own domain anyway?
It’s really easy to sign up for own domain with Gmail, so can’t be bothered with the hassle of switching to a custom domain email. Get this. It’s a piece of cake and can bring you a load of benefits.
1. Professional looking
How many times have you opened your email account, seen a marketing email in your inbox, and then noticed that the business is using a standard email address?
It’s a fact that people are going to see your brand as more professional if there’s a custom domain email address.
Customers and potential customers are probably more likely to open any email you send if they see a branded, professional email address. At the end of the day, it could make a big difference to your open rates and CTRs (clickthrough rates).
2. Gmail is very good
You may be mulling a move away from Gmail, but why should you? Out of all the emails that are sent worldwide every day, over 30% of them are sent through Gmail. It’s a well-organised, easy-to-use email provider that’s full of functionality which can help you when it comes to marketing and reaching out to people.
As the old saying goes, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” It may need a few tweaks to get it where you want it, but it’s pretty efficient. Not to mention that it means you can link your email with your Google Drive, which is just great for business use.
3. Web host emails tend to be rubbish
Your web host may be fantastic when it comes to everything to do with your website, but the email feature that most web hosts offer is nothing to write home about. It usually looks outdated, the design is thrown together, and the whole thing is anything but user-friendly. (Which is why we offer our own Business Email, but that’s a conversation for later.)
Custom domain emails can offer you a far better range of options more likely to float your boat. If you choose to stick with your web host’s email service, be prepared to be frustrated and disappointed in the future. It ain’t all that.
4. Multitasking
If you’re in business, our bet is you’ve got more than one email account. These can include different business accounts as well as a personal account. One issue with Gmail is that it can be difficult to log into multiple accounts at the same time.
If you decide to go down the custom domain email route, then you can log into different accounts (also known as email aliases) at the same time. You could handle a customer service account while also handling a sales account. While all being the same you. Truly we live in the future.
How to Set Up Gmail With Custom Domain: Step-By-Step Guide
Now, let’s look at how to create a custom email domain in Gmail. But before you start to set up a Gmail business email with your own domain, there are a couple of things you need to do first. Start off by making sure you have a domain name to use. If not, you need to buy and register one. Start here, it’s easy. If you already have one or have just got one, then you’re all ready to go.
- Configure your Gmail account
- Add the name of your organisation, location, number of account users, and any other details they want
- Type in the name of your domain
- Create login information, including a password (keep in mind password security, no 12345 here please)
- Enter payment details when asked
- Do the silly photo quiz that tells the system you’re not a robot. (Even though it’s an actual bot checking you’re not a bot, sigh…)
- Once it says that your account has been created, you’re all set
1. Setting up your account
The first thing to do is to click the “Get Started” button on the Gmail page. You may already have an existing Gmail account, but that’s no big deal. You can still create a new custom domain email address.
2. Company details
The system will ask you for details of your business. This includes the company name (which may or may not be the same as your domain name), the location, or main location of the business, and also the number of employees or users. Remember there’s a good chance that you won’t allow every employee to have user access.
3. Domain
Very likely you will already have a domain name. If not, or if you’re setting up a new domain, check the domain’s availability and then type in your chosen domain name when they ask you.
4. Login/Security
Then they’ll ask you to create login information. If you plan on having a few users on the same account, best to pick a fairly easy username. But remember when it comes to the password, security is king. Make up a memorable but complex password when you can. The name of your first pet plus your mum’s maiden name, plus a few numbers and symbols might just do it. We’re not talking Einstein-level here.
5. Payment
No getting away from it, but now for the painful part of the process. The system will ask you for card details. Remember two things: the costs can be different for a company business address and an individual business address. Also, the monthly cost will go up depending on how many users you have.
6. I am not a robot
Choose all the pictures that have a bus in them. At this step, the system wants to know you’re a real human rather than a bot. There is usually some sort of picture “quiz,” and it may also ask you to type in the letters and numbers displayed on the screen. (Seriously, it’s like the Terminator is running the show).
7. And go
Once you have followed the other steps, you are nearly ready to go. The system will tell you that you have successfully created a new account. Once you get confirmation, you can use your custom domain email address to connect with customers. Hoorah.
Should your business stick to a Gmail address? Here’s a better idea…
Nobody is saying Gmail is bad, far from it. There’s a reason g suite and Google Workspace are so popular (mostly for being free). But when it comes to doing business, it does have its limitations. While it may be great for a startup or sole trader, once your business has grown past a certain point, sticking with a Gmail address can look a bit amateur.
Of course, smaller businesses can have a limited budget. But choosing between a free or paid email account can make all the difference. Bear in mind how many potential customers might look for a branded email account when it comes to choosing a business.
4 Reasons Why You Should Say Goodbye to That Gmail Address and Use OnlyDomains Business Email
As with any decision that changes some of the way you work, you want to look at why you should change. Knowing the reasons to swap or customise your Gmail address can help make the decision easier. Don’t fight it.
● Professionalism: If you are using an OnlyDomains business email, then you are going to appear more professional to consumers. It’s just a hard fact. It tells them that you care about your image and that you’re ready to invest in that image.
● Consistency: One of the big things about brand awareness is consistency. You may already use a really recognisable logo and colours, but the key is making all your communications recognisable. By using a custom domain email, people will know right away that any emails have come from your brand.
● Efficiency: One issue with a business using a Gmail address is that an email provider could filter your emails as spam. If an email isn’t delivered to a customer, your CTRs and open rates may suffer. No one wants that.
● Standing out: Most markets can be very competitive. If someone is looking for a certain product or service, which do you think they will choose? A run-of-the-mill Gmail address or a custom domain address that customers see as dependable and makes you stand out as an expert?
Get a Custom Email Address With Your Domain Name and Ditch That Gmail Address You Had as a Teenager
Again Gmail is great, but it’s not so great when it comes to doing business. Gmail is fine for a personal account but can be restrictive and even lose you customers when you’re a business.
Using a custom OnlyDomains email address can mean you look more professional and accessible while still letting you use all the tools that could boost your organisation’s productivity and efficiency.
But, hey, there are also some security aspects to think about. Firstly, using a generic Gmail address can leave you open to impostors. Just by changing a letter or two, or even having one letter in something like Cyrillic, it could be the open-door scammers are looking for.
With OnlyDomains, a business email address won’t cost the earth. We offer reasonable plans even if you need an army of users to access the account. The only question you might ask is why you didn’t change sooner.
