May 5, 2012
Email services such as GMail are robust, have plenty of features and are free - but if you're in business you really should buy a domain name.
First impressions count; and if you trying to woo new customers; they may be a little more open to your approach if your mail is coming from a domain name you've bought (registered) associated with your business; rather than an address from a free email service.
The reason is two-fold. First, so many scams are carried out via free email services. Secondly, a business person using a free email address may seem like an amateur, or very new to whatever industry they are in; even if this isn't the case. With domain name registration so cheap these days; a business relying on free email services doesn't exactly scream success.
Another very important reason to buy a domain name is it becomes part of your branding efforts - advertise your business wherever you can; not your ISP or the free email service you use.
By acquiring your own domain name, it doesn't mean you have to build a web site too (although this can certainly help your business). You can just use it for email purposes.
You don't have to be a business person to benefit from email under your own domain name. For example, your own domain can be useful in job-hunting; helping you stand out from the pack - particularly if the name you choose is your own; e.g. [email protected].
Clarification: "buying" domain names is somewhat of an incorrect term; but one that is commonly used. A domain name you register yourself is actually leased from the registry to which the extension belongs. When registering the name, you are being provided a license to use that name for X period, with option to renew perpetually; assuming you are observing the registry guidelines.
Even when you buy an existing domain name; all you are purchasing are the rights to be listed as the registrant and administrator of the name and to operate the domain. Nobody can truly 'own' a name.
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How to register a name: Enter your choice in the search tool and click 'GO'. If after the check the domain names search results show your choice is available, you will then have the option to proceed to purchase registration; which is a very quick and easy process - start a search and find your ideal website address now.
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