Still using a free email account for your small business?
While it might be saving you a little now, that generic address could be costing you your credibility in the long run.
Whether you’re looking to strengthen your brand identity or simply to stay more organised, professional email can make all the difference.
It’s a simple but powerful way to show customers you’re serious about what you do.
What is a custom professional email address?
A custom domain email address is an email that uses your own domain name, like you@yourbusiness.co.uk, rather than generic choices like @hotmail or @gmail.
Professional email, branded email, business email, custom email — there’s a few different ways to describe the same basic idea.
Having an email address with your own domain is a step up from free email services in that it’s unique to you and your business. It works to highlight your brand with every message you send.
When it comes to running successful online business, there are few better ways to make a great first impression.
How does custom email work?
At the heart of a custom email address is your domain name. That’s the bit after the @ symbol. When you own a domain, you can create email addresses tied to that domain.
This all works through the Domain Name System (DNS), telling the internet where to send your emails and making sure they land in the right inboxes.
Each email address is made up of two parts:
☒ Local part: Before the “@” bit (e.g., john, info, sales)
☒ Domain part: The unique address after the “@” (e.g., yourbusiness.co.uk)
Your domain’s DNS settings use something called ‘Mail Exchange’ (MX) records to tell which servers handle your emails.
But hold up — you don’t need to know the ins and outs of all this to get a great business email address that works for you. It’s easily done!
What are the benefits of having professional email with your own domain name?
Custom email addresses give your business a professional edge. They help build trust, show that you’re serious, and make your brand more memorable. It’s all about standing out in crowded inboxes — and sending the right message.
☐ Professionalism and Brand Identity
First impressions count, and that’s especially true when it comes to email. While a free generic email might do the trick for personal messages, it’s not going to be up to scratch for most businesses.
A custom email address with your own domain name does more than just help you stand out; it shows the world you’re serious about what you do.
Using a custom email address makes your campaigns feel polished and trustworthy. Customers are more likely to open emails from a sender that looks authentic.
☐ Trust and credibility
Professional email builds brand recognition. Every time someone sees your domain in their inbox, it reinforces your name and message. It’s not just marketing—it’s a chance to make your brand stick.
People are more likely to take you seriously when your email matches your business name. It’s a little change that can make a big difference.
☐ Effective email marketing
Email marketing is one of the best ways to connect with customers and grow your business. Whether it’s a special offer, a newsletter, or a friendly update, it keeps your audience in the loop. But to stand out in crowded inboxes, you need more than just a great message. Adding a custom email address into the mix can make it even better.
☐ Customisation and flexibility
Custom email gives you the freedom to create emails that suit your team. From sales@ to support@, you can create individual addresses that work for your business.
☐ Productivity
Any custom email provider worth their salt will also give you tools to help your business succeed online. With Professional Email from 123 Reg, you get ample storage and productivity tools, including Calendars and Tasks. If you choose the right Microsoft 365 plan you can get custom domain email plus the full suite of M365 office apps like Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Teams.
Custom vs Free Email – at a glance:
| Custom Domain Email | Free Email |
| Uses your own domain, like @yourbusiness.co.uk | Uses a provider’s domain, like @gmail.com or hotmail.com |
| Looks professional and builds trust | Looks casual, fine for personal use |
| Full control over usernames and setup | Little or no control over your email address |
| Can set up multiple accounts | Usually tied to one personal account |
| Requires a domain and hosting plan | Free, with restricted functionality |
What’s wrong with using a free email address?
While free email providers like Hotmail and Gmail might seem to be the cheap and easy choice, they come with drawbacks when it comes to doing business online.
To start with the obvious, most free email services come with advertising. These ads can be more noticeable with some providers than others (in Gmail, for example, they appear in a tab of the inbox, looking like regular emails but marked as “sponsored”). This can make inboxes cluttered and harder to manage.
Free email providers don’t give the same level of control as you expect with a custom email. You’re at the mercy of the provider’s features and security measures, which might not be as robust as you need. You’re also missing out on storage space and all sorts of additional business tools.
For security, free email accounts can fall short — in part because they may not offer the same level of protection, but also because free providers tend not to prioritise customer support or recovery options the way paid providers do, leaving customers exposed to data loss — or unable access their emails!
Above all, the biggest downside of using a free email address is probably what it means for branding. An email like you@hotmail.com doesn’t convey professionalism or trust, and that can be a big turn-off for potential customers.
In fact, it might even make your business seem less legit, with your emails more likely to end up in junk folders — quite possible, given how 47% of emails get marked as spam!
What to know about having your own custom email address
Your domain is yours to choose
You can register any available domain name with a top-level domain (TLD) like .com, .co.uk, or even something unique like .shop or .online. Choose one that’s a good match for your business, brand, and/or or purpose.
Start by choosing a domain name that matches your business or purpose. It should be simple, memorable, and connected to what you do. For example, yourbusiness.co.uk keeps things professional and easy to recognise.
123 Reg offers hundreds domain extensions to suit any purpose, from the traditional “.coms” to more inventive and original gTLDs. With over 400 domain extensions to choose from, it’s easy to find a memorable name with a suffix that fits your business. You’ll find thousands of the UK’s best domains. You might just be surprised to see how affordable they can be.
You’ve got the power to manage it
Owning an email domain means you control the names before the @, like info@ or hello@, and can create multiple addresses as needed.
You’ll stand out from the crowd
A custom email adds credibility and helps you stand out from generic email addresses, especially for businesses.
You’re better protected – helping you to stay secure and ad-free
Unlike free email accounts, your custom domain is free from ads and offers better privacy and control.
Looking to create your own email address? 123 Reg offers professional, ad-free email with your own custom domain — the perfect way to make every message stand out.
How to choose the right custom email address for your business
When creating your email address, it’s important to keep things simple and professional. Added to that, there’s a few rules to follow about addresses you can and can’t choose:
☒ Stick to Letters, Numbers, and Basic Symbols: Only use letters, numbers, periods (.), underscores (_), and hyphens (-). Avoid symbols like &, %, or *—they aren’t allowed.
☒ Keep It Clear and Simple: Make it easy to read and remember. Avoid overly long names or confusing combinations.
☒ No Spaces Allowed: Email addresses can’t include spaces, so keep everything connected.
☒ Start with a Letter: If you need to include numbers or symbols, at least starting with a letter can make for an easier-to-remember email address.
Keep it professional
Keep your email addresses clear and relevant. Avoid casual usernames like coolguy123@, and stick to names that reflect your business, like info@yourbusiness.co.uk. Always proofread your emails—it’s the little things that count. Keep it professional. Inappropriate language can damage your reputation.
Manage your spam and security
Protecting your inbox is key. Use spam filters and strong passwords to keep your accounts safe. Look for hosting providers, like 123 Reg, that offer built-in security tools to block unwanted messages.
How to choose the right host for your email and domain
Choosing the right email provider goes beyond picking a name. Here’s what to keep in mind:
☒ Number of Inboxes: Check how many email addresses you can create under your domain. This is handy if you need separate accounts for different team members or purposes.
☒ Storage Capacity: Look at how much storage is offered for each inbox. More storage means you can keep more emails without worrying about hitting limits.
☒ Spam and Security Features: Look for robust spam filters and security measures to keep your inbox clean and safe from cyber threats.
☒ Ease of Use: A simple interface and good support make managing emails much easier, especially if you’re not a tech expert.
☒ Access Methods (POP3, IMAP, Webmail): Be sure the provider supports POP3 and IMAP so you can access your emails from multiple devices. Webmail access is great for flexibility on the go.
☒ Integration Options: Consider if the provider works well with other tools you use, like calendars, cloud storage, or productivity apps.
What’s the difference between POP3, IMAP, and Webmail?
POP3, IMAP and Webmail are the three most common ways to view emails. They do the same basic job but work a bit differently, giving you the choice over how you access your messages.
The main idea behind POP3 is to download emails direct to a device so that they can be removed from the server. That’s good for storing emails locally but it means access from other devices is limited. IMAP, on the other hand, keeps emails on the server, syncing them across all your devices so you can check your inbox on a laptop, phone or tablet whenever needed.
With Webmail, you can access emails through a web browser — like logging into 123 Reg online. There’s no setup and it works on more or less any device with internet. With 123 Reg and M365 Email, you can choose to set up POP3/IMAP or log in via browser through Webmail, so emails are always within easy reach.
What’s Microsoft 365 Email?
Microsoft 365 Email gives you professional email hosting through Outlook — a powerful, reliable email platform that you can use with your own custom domain.
With M365, you get an ad-free inbox, advanced security features, and access to a range of productivity tools. Depending on the plan you choose, you can also get access to the web-only or full desktop versions of Microsoft 365 apps like Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
Setting up your email is simple, and you can create multiple accounts for your team with plenty of storage. Plus, M365 integrates with other Microsoft tools, making it easy to manage emails, calendars, and contacts in a one place.
M365 is a great pick for businesses that want a professional, secure way to handle email while staying organised and productive. There are flexible subscription plans for businesses of all sizes and budgets — you can choose the plan that best suits your company’s needs without overspending.
See also: Why M365 is a valuable resource for your business and M365 Add-Ons to Power Your Small Business
Send off
Don’t let a generic email hold your business back. A custom email allows you to stand out in crowded inboxes, making a lasting impression. It’s about more than just about convenience — it’s about sending the right message.