How do I get a professional email for my online store?
Why a professional email address is important for your online store
When you run an online store, it's crucial to appear professional and credible. One of the easiest ways to do this is by having a professional email address. Instead of using a free email from, e.g., Gmail or Hotmail (like yourstore@gmail.com), you should have an email that matches your online store's domain name (e.g., info@yourstore.com or contact@yourstore.com).
Advantages of a professional email:
- Credibility: It signals that you run a serious business.
- Branding: Every time you send an email, you market your own brand.
- Organization: It's easier to keep track of business-related communication.
- Security: Professional solutions often offer better security features.
What is a professional email address?
A professional email address is an email that uses your own domain name after the '@' sign. If your online store is called 'mystore.com', a professional email address would typically be 'info@mystore.com' or 'sales@mystore.com'. This stands in contrast to a personal email like 'mystore@gmail.com', which many use privately.
How to get a professional email for your online store
There are primarily two paths to take when you need a professional email for your online store. Both are designed to be user-friendly, even for you who aren't technically inclined.
1. Email via your domain registrar or web host
Most who buy a domain name (e.g., .com domain) do it through a domain registrar. Many of these providers also offer a package that includes email addresses for your domain. It's often the most straightforward solution, especially if you've just started and have your online store hosted with them.
- How does it work? When you buy your domain, you typically get the option to add email accounts to it. You log into the provider's control panel, choose to create a new email address, and can then access it via webmail (log in in your browser) or set it up in an email program on your computer or phone.
- Advantages: Often included in a hosting package, simple setup, good for basic needs.
- Worth knowing: Features can be more limited compared to dedicated email services.
2. Dedicated email service (e.g., Google Workspace or Microsoft 365)
If you want more features, larger storage space, integration with calendar and other productivity tools, a dedicated email service can be the solution. The most well-known are Google Workspace (formerly G Suite) and Microsoft 365 (formerly Office 365).
- How does it work? You create an account with Google or Microsoft, and then follow a guide to connect your online store's domain to their email service. They guide you step by step. It typically requires you to change some settings with your domain registrar, but this is often a simple process with good guides from the email service.
- Advantages: Many features, high reliability, good integration with other tools (like online documents and calendar).
- Worth knowing: Typically costs a monthly fee per user, and setup can seem a bit more technical, but is manageable with a good guide.
Which solution should you choose?
The choice depends on your needs and your budget. Here's a simple overview:
| Solution | Advantages | Disadvantages | Price level | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Email via your domain registrar | Often simple, part of existing package, good for basic needs. | Fewer features, limited storage space. | Low/Medium | New online stores, simple needs, budget-friendly. |
| Dedicated email service (e.g., Google Workspace) | Many advanced features, large storage space, high reliability, integration with other tools. | Higher monthly cost, often requires a bit more setup. | Medium/High | Growing online stores, need for many features, team collaboration. |
Regardless of whether you choose a simple solution via your domain registrar or a more advanced dedicated service, a professional email is an important step to give your online store a serious and credible appearance. If you use a system like GoShup.com, which is known for its user-friendliness, you're already on the right path to simplifying the technical part and will often find easy-to-understand guides for exactly this.