How To Get a Custom Email Domain in 3 Simple Steps

Setting up a custom email domain might seem complicated at first, but it’s actually pretty straightforward. In fact, you can establish a professional email address in just three simple steps. We'll show you how.

A custom domain gives your business credibility by making your communications look more professional than those from a generic email address. But to make the experience smoother, we recommend using a reliable web hosting service — like Bluehost — to handle your email hosting.

3 steps to get a custom email domain

There are three essential steps to creating a fully functional professional email system. First, register your custom domain name, choose an email hosting service, and set up your custom email addresses to begin receiving emails.

1. Register your domain name

Start by purchasing a domain name that matches your brand. Visit popular domain registrars like GoDaddy or Namecheap to search for available domains. Most top-level domains typically cost between $12 and $15 per year.

Your perfect domain might already be taken, but you could try different extensions like .info or .biz if .com isn't available. We recommend enabling domain privacy protection when you purchase your domain to keep your personal information secure.

2. Choose an email hosting service

Many web hosting services provide email hosting that integrates directly with your custom domain name. They can handle the technical side of email delivery, security, storage, and access.

Bluehost offers professional email hosting starting at $1.67/mo, with features such as personalized email addresses, reliable delivery, spam protection, and webmail access. You could also buy the Google Workspace integration, which provides access to Gmail, Google Calendar, and collaboration tools.

Leading web hosting companies offer security features such as two-factor authentication and encrypted connections, along with dedicated customer support that free email services can't match.

3. Set up your custom email

Once you've registered your domain and chosen a hosting service, you'll create your custom email addresses through your provider's control panel. If you purchased your domain name and email hosting from separate companies, you should first connect them by updating your domain's DNS settings with the email host’s SPF, DKIM, and MX records. This is normally automatic if the domain was purchased from the email hosting provider.

You'll then log into your hosting dashboard, navigate to the email section, and enter your chosen email address and secure password. Your hosting service handles the setup automatically.

What is a custom email domain?

A custom email domain uses your own website address instead of generic email extensions like Gmail or Yahoo. So instead of sending emails from johndoe@gmail.com, you could use johndoe@doeconsulting.com, which looks more professional.

Custom email domains give you more control over your email addresses and help build credibility with your customers. They're a standard practice for businesses in almost every industry that want to maintain a consistent brand image. With certain safe email providers, you also get stronger email security with better antispam filters.

Is an email domain the same as web hosting?

Email hosting and web hosting serve different purposes, though they often work together. Web hosting stores your website files and makes them accessible on the internet, while email hosting specifically manages your email accounts and message delivery.

You can purchase email hosting separately from web hosting, or bundle them together with providers like Hostinger and Bluehost. For easier administration and support, many businesses find it convenient to manage both services with one provider.

Custom email domain hosting services

Web hosting services provide reliable solutions for hosting your email domain, with features such as webmail UI, spam protection, security, and technical support. These providers handle the server infrastructure and maintenance so you can focus on your business communications.

Bluehost

Bluehost offers professional email hosting starting at $1.67/mo per inbox with its Professional plan, which includes up to 300 email accounts and 10GB of email storage. Its Professional Email Plus plan costs $2.50/mo per mailbox for the first year, then renews at $4.17/mo, billed annually.

The service provides custom domain email addresses, spam protection, webmail access, and integration with popular email clients. Bluehost claims to maintain a 99.99% uptime record and offers WordPress integration across its shared and cloud hosting plans, making it good for small businesses with 2-5 team members.

Hostinger

Hostinger provides affordable email hosting with its Business Starter plan at $0.39/mo per inbox, including 10GB storage, 50 email aliases, and 10 forwarding rules. The Hostinger Business Premium plan costs $1.99/mo and offers 50GB storage, along with enhanced features.

The service includes professional domain-based email, device synchronization, and built-in spam filtering. Hostinger offers flexible payment options, including credit cards, PayPal, and cryptocurrency, as well as a 30-day money-back guarantee.

IONOS

IONOS offers email hosting starting at just $1.10/mo for its Mail Basic 1 plan. The IONOS Mail Basic 25 plan costs $2/mo and supports up to 25 email addresses, making it one of the most affordable business-class solutions available.

The service provides ad-free inboxes, spam filtering, IMAP access, and 24/7 customer support. IONOS also includes features such as an AI Email Assistant and personal consultant support.

Pros and cons of using a custom email domain

Custom email domains offer many advantages for business communications, but they also come with some caveats. Here's what you need to know about the benefits and potential drawbacks.

How to manage your custom email domain

Managing your custom domain effectively requires attention to several key areas that could impact your business communications. These tips will help you maintain a professional and secure email system:

1. Choose a recognizable domain that clearly links to your business name or industry to build immediate brand recognition.
2. Implement strong password policies with complex combinations of letters, numbers, and symbols for all email accounts.
3. Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) wherever possible to add an extra security layer against hacked email accounts.
4. Set up regular email backups to protect against data loss and ensure business continuity.
5. Budget appropriately, as costs vary significantly between providers — from $1-$3 per month for basic plans to $15-$25 for premium services.

FAQs

Bottom line

Getting a custom email domain involves three straightforward steps: registering your domain name, choosing an email hosting service, and setting up your email addresses. Once done, it should help enhance your image and credibility.

Web hosting services like Bluehost, Hostinger, and IONOS offer reliable email services, security protocols, and customer support. With pricing starting around $1-2 per month, email hosting can be useful for businesses of all sizes.