Ditch the generic email address for a custom email address that uses your own domain name, such as yourname@yourdomain.com. It not only creates a professional appearance, but it builds consistent branding and builds trust. While it may sound complicated, it’s surprisingly easy to create your own custom email address. All you have to do is get a domain, create your username, and connect to your favorite email platform.
If you’re just starting out and need a bit more insight before diving into creating a custom email address, begin by checking out our complete guide to business email.
Here’s how to set up a custom email address in three easy steps:
1. Get a Domain Name
The first step is to get a domain name, such as yourbusiness.com. Anyone can register a domain and it will generally cost around $12 per year if you buy one through a domain name registrar, or you can get one for free through a web hosting plan.
Where you should get a domain will depend on whether you’re planning to build a website using your new domain. If you’re only looking for a domain right now, then use a domain registrar such as GoDaddy or Hover. However, if you’re planning to build a website with WordPress, then it’s worth signing up for web hosting and getting a free domain.
To do so, use the domain name search bar below to get your free domain name, web hosting, and up to five free business email addresses through Bluehost for as little as $2.95 per month.
For more help finding the right domain name, learn more about choosing a domain name.
2. Create Your Email Username
The next step is to create your email username, such as firstname@yourdomain.com or first.last@yourdomain.com. Choose a professional email address format (e.g., first.last@yourdomain.com) to use for your email address to help make it easier later if you have multiple business email addresses to manage, such as staff email.
Where you choose to register your domain name will dictate how you will do this. For example, if you registered a domain name through G Suite or Microsoft, you’ll simply follow the remaining prompts. On the other hand, if you got one through a site builder, you can connect through the site builder’s settings.
Method 1: Connect a Domain Through Email Providers
Follow the step-by-step instructions on how to connect your domain through your email provider by navigating to the email provider you used for all remaining steps.
Method 2: Connect a Domain Through Site Builders
For steps on how to connect your domain to email, navigate to the site builder you chose to acquire your domain name through.
Method 3: Connect a Domain Through a Web Hosting Plan
The process of connecting a domain name you acquired through a web hosting plan will vary slightly by web hosting provider. However, the steps are generally similar, so we’ll show you how to connect a domain from Bluehost to email as it’s a top web hosting provider with low-cost, feature-rich plans that include a free domain.
To sign up with a domain host, navigate to Bluehost.com and select the green “Get Started” button. Follow the prompts, such as choosing your plan, entering your domain name of choice, and completing contact and payment information.
Bluehost home page
Once you’ve purchased your plan, you will be directed to the Bluehost dashboard. If you scroll down, you’ll see the email section. Click on “Email Manager.”
Email Manager in Bluehost
Select “Create an email account” and enter the text you want to come before your domain name in your email address. When choosing how employee names will display in their custom email address, be sure to choose a standard format so that all employee email addresses are standardized and easy to find, such as their first initial and last name. For more guidance, read our tips for creating your email address.
When you’ve set up the name and password, click “Create.”
Create a custom email address with Bluehost
3. Connect to Your Favorite Third-party Email Host
Setting up your email address on an email client requires entering your Bluehost username, password, and server information in your client’s settings menu. The exact process for doing this differs with each email platform, but we have included step-by-step instructions for three of the most popular: Gmail, Outlook, and Apple Mail.
How to Connect Your Email to Gmail
To get started, you’ll need to first log in to your Gmail account. If you don’t already have one, you can quickly create one for free here. From your Gmail account, click on the gear in the top right corner and select “Settings.”
Gmail settings
Navigate to the “Accounts and Import” tab at the top. Then click “Add a mail account.”
Add a mail account in Gmail
This will open a new window where you can enter the Bluehost email address you just created. Enter your full business email address and Bluehost password in the window. You do not need to add POP server information. Once completed, click “Add Account.”
Add a mail account
Important: Be sure to enter your full business email address in the Username field, including your domain (contact@yourbusiness.com).
You have now connected your Bluehost email address to Gmail; this means all email sent to your Bluehost address will land in your Gmail folder. However, you need to update Gmail so you can send from this address too.
On the following screen, Bluehost will ask if you want to set this up. Select “Yes” and click “Next.”
Setting up outgoing email in Gmail
The next screen prompts you to verify your email address. Verification is required to ensure that you are the owner of your domain and the email addresses connected to it. To complete verification, enter your full email address and your Gmail password again. Gmail will send a verification code to your Bluehost email address.
Gmail email verification
Head back into your Bluehost account. Select “Email Manager” and click “View Inbox.” You should see an email from Google with your verification code. Copy this code and enter it into the appropriate field in Gmail. Click “Verify.” This should complete the outgoing mail setup.
Once you’ve combined your accounts, you’ll be able to navigate between your professional and personal email addresses within Gmail. Just choose which “From” address you want to use while composing your email.
Example of using Gmail with Bluehost custom email address
Keep in mind, however, that it sometimes takes a few minutes for Gmail to process the new email address. Wait five minutes, then send a message to your new email address. You should see it appear in your Gmail account and have the ability to respond using your new address.
How to Connect Your Email to Outlook
First, log in to your Outlook email account. Select the “File” menu, and then “Info” from the left-hand menu that appears. Click the “Add Account” button.
How to connect Bluehost email to Outlook
From the options that appear after clicking “Add Account,” choose “Manual setup or additional server types.” Click “Next” to continue to the following step, then select the “POP or IMAP” option.
Connect a POP or IMAP email to Outlook
Click “Next” and complete the form, including user information, server information, and logon information. For guidance on what information you need to add, read Bluehost’s tutorial on setting up email addresses in Outlook.
Outlook mail server account settings
Before you click “Next,” click the “More Settings” button in the bottom right-hand corner of the screen. Choose the “Outgoing Server” tab from the top of the pop-up window. Select the “My outgoing server (SMTP) requires authentication” and check the “Use same settings as my incoming mail server” radio button as well.
Outlook mail SMTP authentication settings
From the same window, select the “Advanced” tab from the top (next to the “Outgoing Server” tab). On this window, you will need to know which type of server you’re using, such as POP3, IMAP, or SMTP with or without SSL. This information can be confirmed on Bluehost, but if you know it already, you can find your server port numbers below:
- If you are using POP3 with SSL security, enter 995 for your port. Otherwise, leave the port at 110.
- If you are using POP3, choose when messages are removed from the server.
- If you are using IMAP with SSL security, enter 993 for your port. Otherwise, leave the port at 143.
- If you are using SMTP with SSL security, enter 465 for your port. Otherwise, change the port to 26.
Setting up email server information on Bluehost
When your server information is entered, click “OK” at the bottom of the window. On the next window, click “Next” and finally, click the “Finish” button to complete the process.
How to Connect Your Email to Apple Mail
Open your Apple Mail application from your desktop. Click “Mail” from the upper right-hand corner, then “Preferences” from the drop-down menu. From Preferences, click the “Accounts” tab and click the “+” sign at the bottom left-hand corner of the screen. When the options window appears, select the last option, “Other Mail Account…”
How to connect Bluehost email to Apple Mail
Fill in the appropriate fields for your name, email, and Bluehost password. Remember to use your new custom email address for this. When you’re done, click “Create” on the bottom right.
Adding a mail account to Apple Mail
On the next screen, you will be prompted to input your incoming mail server settings. Reference Bluehost for complete server information, then select your account type and add your mail server, username (your complete custom email address), and Bluehost password. Click “Next.”
macOS incoming mail server information
If you are using an SSL certificate, a “Verify Certificate” pop-up will appear. In the bottom left of the window, click the “Show Certificate” button. Check the box that says “Always trust bluehost.com…” and then click the “Connect” button in the bottom right.
Verify SSL certificate for Bluehost email on macOS
Now you will be prompted to complete steps for the outgoing server settings. Follow the same steps as when you completed the incoming mail server settings, such as entering your domain name as your server, your custom email address, and your password. Finally, click “Create.”
macOS outgoing mail server information
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Where can I get more help setting up my custom email address?
The best source for support is the provider you got your domain name from. For example, if you registered your domain through Bluehost, contact its customer service team for additional troubleshooting help via phone or live chat. If you’d rather have someone set up your custom email on your behalf, you can find technical support freelancers on Fiverr for as little as $5.
How do you set up a professional email signature?
If you’re using Gmail, set up your email signature by clicking the gear icon in the upper right-hand corner. Then select “Settings” and scroll down to find the “Signature” box, where you can input your signature. Alternatively, you can design a professional email signature using a signature generator, such as WiseStamp, which lets you create a customized professional email signature with no coding knowledge. Learn more about the best email signature generators.
Should I use email tracking software?
Email tracking is a great tool to gain insight into who has opened and read your emails. This information can then be strategically used to gauge sales prospects, allowing sales teams to focus their time on warmer, more interested leads. Read more in our article on the six best email tracking tools.
What are the best email marketing platforms?
The overall best email marketing platforms that are affordable, feature-rich, and highly rated include Mailchimp, Constant Contact, Drip, ConvertKit, ActiveCampaign, and HubSpot. Which is the best platform for you will depend on your unique needs, such as the number of contacts you have, email frequency, design skills, and budget. Find which of the best email marketing platforms is right for you.
Joshua
Great
Kelly Main
Thanks Joshua!