Email is no longer a “should” for your business, it is a must. Clients and customers prefer to communicate primarily via email. Plus, it keeps you from having to be on the phone constantly fielding questions or inquiries that could easily be taken care of in a minute or two through email. It is also an excellent marketing strategy that will increase your client/customer interaction.
What does any of that have to do with your email address? Well, if you are still using a free email address like Hotmail, Gmail, etc, you are very likely missing out on business. You may be wondering what that has to do with your potential for your business and that is exactly what we are going to talk about today.
Why You Should Ditch The Free Email
1) It is unprofessional
First and foremost, it just looks unprofessional. Could you imagine contacting your rental property, bank, credit card companies, or any other professional services you use, if their email was at Hotmail or something similar? I am sure you would feel wary about sending anything of importance.
The way people perceive your business is key to its success. Having an email address that you haven’t invested any time or money into can appear to clients and customers as though you are cheap, cutting corners, don’t care about the details, or that your business is only temporary. You don’t want to lose out on business because of something simple like an email address.
2) You are more than a hobby
As mentioned before, having a free email address for your business puts you in a category to not be taken seriously. You are communicating with your potential clients and customers that you are just testing the waters and maybe this is just a hobby for you. Maintaining a professional image is important for keeping the trust of your customers and remaining credible in the online world.
3) Less control and customization
Using a free email address does not give you much control over your inbox. You also have no choice or say in how or what happens to the company you are choosing to use. They could go out of business or cancel your account for whatever reason. These types of accounts are also frequently hacked by people wanting to steal your information. Not only will they get personal information from you, but there is also potential to steal information from your clients and customers.
These are just a few reasons why you should reconsider the free email for your business. Not everyone will agree that having a non-business domain email is a bad thing, but there are many factors to consider. You will appear more professional, have control over your accounts, and create more trust with your clients