Picture this: you’re looking for a local service provider, let’s say a plumber. You find two options online, both with decent reviews. But one uses a generic Gmail address, while the other has a professional, custom domain email. Which one would you trust more with your leaky pipes and hard-earned money?
If you chose the latter, you’re not alone. In fact, 75% of consumers believe a domain-based email is critical for trust when engaging with an online business. It’s not just a formality; it’s a foundational element of your business’s credibility.
Why Custom Business Emails Matter:
1. Professional Image
Your email address is often the first impression you make on potential customers. A custom domain email (yourname@yourcompany.com) conveys professionalism, credibility, and legitimacy in a way that a generic free email (yourcompany@gmail.com) simply can’t match. It shows you’re a real, established business that takes itself seriously.
2. Branding and Marketing
A custom email is an extension of your brand. It reinforces your company name with every message sent, keeping you top-of-mind with customers and prospects. Plus, it’s a subtle yet effective way to market your website every time you send an email.
3. Email Security and Reliability
Custom email domains, especially when coupled with a trusted email hosting service, offer increased security measures like encryption and advanced spam filtering. This not only protects your business communications but also ensures your important messages don’t get lost in a recipient’s junk folder.
4. Organisation and Management
Custom domains allow you to create department-specific email addresses (sales@, support@, etc.) that help you better organise and manage your business communications. This streamlines your operations and makes you look more structured and professional to customers.
5. Customer Communication
Domain-based email addresses are seen as three times more important for establishing trustworthiness than maintaining an active social media presence. Customers are more likely to engage with and respond to a professional email address, enhancing your communication and customer service.
The Cost-Benefit Analysis:
Now, you might be thinking, “This sounds great, but isn’t it expensive?” Surprisingly, no. Setting up a custom domain email usually costs less than a fancy coffee per month. When you weigh that against the trust, credibility, and professionalism it brings to your business, it’s a no-brainer investment.
Plus, consider this: consumers are 35% more likely to check online reviews for a company using a generic email address. That extra scrutiny could cost you potential business. A custom email helps you make a strong first impression that wins trust from the start.
The Bottom Line:
Your email address might seem like a small detail, but it has a big impact on how your business is perceived. In a world where consumers are increasingly cautious about who they do business with online, a custom domain email is a simple, affordable way to instantly boost your credibility and trustworthiness.
So if you’re a local service business still using a generic email, it’s time to upgrade. Invest in a custom domain email – not because it’s fancy, but because it’s fundamental to building trust with your customers. And in business, trust is everything.
Ready to level up your business email and start building more trust with your customers? We offer custom business email address setups via Google. It’s a once-off setup fee of $99. After that you only need to pay Google’s monthly fee which is as little as $6 USD.