For most businesses, your email address is the first point of contact for potential clients to reach you about your service. The email address you choose serves as a reflection of your professionalism and credibility. While generic email providers like Gmail are convenient for personal use, they fall short when it comes to creating a strong impression for your business. Below we will take a look at the 6 reasons why using Gmail or other generic email providers for your professional or business email address is not the recommended choice by Webster Digital Marketing, Inc.
1. Being Flagged as Spam/Deliverability
When you use Gmail as your primary business email address your emails are far more likely to end up in your customer’s spam boxes. This chance to become spam is increased even further when you use a 3rd-party program to send emails. Examples of these types of programs are estimating programs, customer relationship management programs, and even emails sent from your website! This can lead to missed inquiries, lost leads, and frustration for both you and your clients.
2. Lack of Brand Identity
One of the primary reasons to avoid generic email providers for your business is the lack of brand identity. When you use an email address like yourname@gmail.com for professional communications, it doesn’t reinforce your brand. A custom email address, such as info@192.249.114.186, not only looks more professional but also promotes your brand and website every time you send an email.
3. Credibility and Trust
Credibility and trust are vital in the business world. Many people associate generic email addresses with spam or untrustworthiness because they are free and very easy to create. Using a custom email address not only establishes trust but also gives the impression that you take your business seriously, and others should as well.
4. Control Over Your Data
When you rely on a generic email provider, you relinquish control over your data. They can change their terms of service or even terminate your account without notice. With a custom email address hosted through your own domain, you have more control over your email data, ensuring that your business communications remain uninterrupted.
5. Security Concerns
Generic email providers are often targeted by hackers due to their vast user base. While they do have security measures in place, using a custom email address with robust security features provides an additional layer of protection for your sensitive business data.
6. Professional Features
Business email hosting services offer a range of professional features that generic email providers lack. These features include customizable spam filters, advanced filtering and sorting options, email forwarding, and integration with other business tools. These can greatly enhance your productivity and communication efficiency.
So, while generic email providers like Gmail are suitable for personal use, they fall short when it comes to establishing a professional image for your business. A custom email address not only enhances your brand identity and credibility but also offers greater control, security, and compatibility with essential 3rd-party tools. Investing in a business email hosting solution is a small but significant step toward building a strong online presence and fostering trust among your clients and partners. Don’t let your email address be a hindrance to your business’s success; make the switch to a custom professional email address today.
Let’s Elevate Your Digital Footprint Together!
Webster Digital Marketing can provide you with the guidance you need in establishing a unique email address by providing hosting recommendations. When you work with us, we ensure that your business is well represented in the digital marketplace. Contact us today to learn more about how Webster Digital Marketing can assist you!