Webmail request
en
Webmail request
nl en fr de
Email academy

A professional email address instead of a free one

A business email address instead of a free one makes you more credible at a glance: people immediately see who they're dealing with. Many starters email from a free address at first, and technically that works fine, but it quietly costs you trust and recognisability. In this article you'll read why an address on your own domain makes the difference, and how to switch without hassle.

By the Mailflux team Published on

Why a professional email address is better than a free one

A free email address shares its domain with millions of others. Behind the @ is the name of a free service, not yours. That brings three disadvantages you'd rather not have if you want to come across as professional:

  • You look less trustworthy. An address like yourbusinessname@a-free-service.com projects less than you@yourbusiness.be. Some people are even wary of invoices or quotes from a free address.
  • Your name doesn't work for you. Every mail you send is advertising for the service behind the @, not for your own brand or company name.
  • The address isn't really yours. You depend on that service's terms. If your account is blocked or the service stops, you're left empty-handed.

What an address on your own domain does do

With an email address on your own domain you turn those disadvantages around. You're immediately recognisable, you build your own name and you keep control.

  • Recognisable and professional. Your company name is in every address, from info@ to your personal address.
  • Yours, forever. Because the domain is in your name, you take your address with you wherever you go. You don't lose it.
  • Grows with you. You create extra addresses yourself for new colleagues or functions, all under the same domain.

Take a starter who's just opening a business. With an address like firstname@ownbusiness.be on the business cards, quotes and website, everything immediately looks like one whole. Customers remember your name instead of that of a free service, and your emails align with your website and invoices. It takes little effort to set up, but the difference in image is immediately visible, certainly at a first contact.

A broader explanation of the idea is in email on your own domain: what and why. If you want to see the two options side by side, your own domain versus a free email address will help you further.

The commonly heard doubts

Recognisable? Most people still using a free address hesitate for the same reasons.

  • "My free address works fine, though." Technically that's true. But it's about the impression you make and about who owns your address. You don't solve that with yet another free address.
  • "Isn't that expensive?" An address on your own domain needn't be a big cost. You pay a separate, usually low annual cost for the domain name, and on top of that per mailbox. At Mailflux that starts at €4.99 per mailbox per month (billed annually).
  • "Do I have to set everything up again?" You can bring your existing mail with you, and you don't have to install anything: the webmail works straight away in your browser.

How to switch

Switching is a breeze. In short:

  1. Choose your address. Decide which address suits you: your first name, or something like info@. Need help? Read choosing your professional email address.
  2. Set up your mailbox on your own domain. Don't have a domain yet? Mailflux can register one for you.
  3. Bring your existing mail with you and start emailing with your new address.

And with Mailflux

Mailflux is professional email on your own domain, hosted in Europe and GDPR-compliant, with real personal help and without unnecessary bells and whistles. You get browser webmail that works straight away on any device, ample storage and 20 free aliases, so you can easily create extra addresses. You pay only for email, not for a full office suite you may never use.

Ready to get started?

Professional email on your own domain, hosted in Europe and GDPR-compliant. Request your mailbox with no obligation.

Get started

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is a free email address unprofessional?

Not technically, but it is in terms of image. An address on your own domain looks more trustworthy and strengthens your own name with every mail. For customer contact, quotes and invoices, that makes a noticeable difference in how seriously you come across.

Can I keep using my free address alongside my new one?

Yes. Many people keep their old address for a while during the switch and send new communication from their own domain. That way you wind it down calmly without missing anything.

What does a professional email address cost?

You pay for the domain name separately (a low annual cost) and on top of that per mailbox. At Mailflux that starts at €4.99 per mailbox per month, billed annually, including antivirus, antispam, backups and 20 aliases.

Read more