every business needs branded email.
You probably use your email account without a second thought. Then you start a business and realize you need an email address with a custom domain ([email protected]). How do you get one?
- Register a domain name (URL). Finding an available domain name is actually the hardest part of this process.
- Choose your email host (private server, Google, Office 365, etc.) – set up an account with them.
- Verify your domain name and set up the appropriate MX records for your email host.
- Wait for records to update and test sending and receiving.
- Add email account to your laptop email client and phone.
We can do all this for you, meaning you only have to deal with Step 5. If you already have the domain name, even better. We offer temporary email forwarding, IMAP accounts, and setup of Google Workspace (formerly G Suite) accounts. Keep scrolling for pricing and more info.
What is Free Email Forwarding?
Email forwarding is when email sent to [email protected] will forward to [email protected]. It’s not actually an email account, just a free setting available with your domain name.
Setting this up allows you to use a business email address on your business cards, and receive that email at your existing account. The downside is that when you reply to someone, they’ll see your personal email address. You’ll also be mixing personal and business correspondence. You’ll eventually have to set up a business email address.
We only recommend email forwarding:
- as a temporary solution for startups/while decisions are being made
- as part of a strategy after purchasing an email hosting plan
(example: accounting@ could be an alias that is forwarded to the appropriate person in the company)
Now on to the email hosting…
secure IMAP email
- 25 GB mailbox
- 50 MB attachments
- unlimited aliases, group lists & forwarding
- webmail access (in browser)
- use with any email client (manual setup)
- spam & virus protection
- 100% uptime guarantee
Google Workspace
- 30 GB (shared between Gmail, Drive, Photos)
- 50 MB attachments
- 30 aliases, 1 forwarding address, 20 filters
- Gmail access (in browser)
- use with any email client (easy sign in process)
- spam & virus protection
- 99.9% uptime guarantee
Secure IMAP Email
We use a third party server that specializes in email, and this is our default for most clients. IMAP means messages are stored on and synced to the server, so you’ll see the same messages no matter where you check your email. From your computer, in browser (webmail) or via email client (Apple Mail, Thunderbird, Outlook), or from your smartphone or tablet.
It’s reliable, and the accounts are easy to set up and even migrate to. This, like all our website products, is billed through cyclone press with your website hosting (either monthly or annually). We can add new users or aliases, adjust settings, and are your tech support for this email option.
Choose Secure IMAP Email if:
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you need email that just works
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you don’t mind initial manual setup on your devices
- you have an existing email account you’ll want to migrate from
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you don’t want to manage any of the backend stuff yourself (would rather ask us to set up new users, help you figure out vacation auto-responder, etc.)
Google Workspace
Google Workspace (formerly G Suite) is the business version of Gmail. It works the exact same way, except that you can use branded email ([email protected]) with it for $6/month per account. It comes with extra storage space and other business features. If you’re already comfortable using Gmail and/or you’ll be using a lot of Google products for your business, this is probably the option for you. To see the features that come with Google Workspace, click here.
We offer technical Google Workspace email setup for a one-time fee. Your tech support and billing are directly through Google – this is entirely under your name and unrelated to cyclone press after setup (although we’re always available to help if you have trouble).
Choose Google Workspace email if:
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you love and know your way around Gmail
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you will be using a lot of Google products (Docs, Sheets etc.)
- you don’t have existing cloud file sharing (like Dropbox) and want to use Google Drive
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you want to set up email yourself and/or will have additional email users and want to manage all the accompanying settings for their accounts
email account FAQ's
Your domain name (or URL) is what potential customers will type into their browser address bar to access your website. For example, yourbusiness.com. You would use that domain name to create branded email, such as [email protected]. We can use an existing domain name you own to set up your email, or we can register a new domain name here.
A web host (or server) is where files and data are stored. When accessing a website, you're loading content from a server. Email works the same way. Paying for an email account is paying for the cloud storage that collects, filters, and displays those emails. Google Workspace, Office365, Rackspace, Zoho... these are all examples of email hosting options.
Some (cPanel) websites will allow you to set up email accounts on the same server. We recommend against this; if there are issues with your website hosting and your site goes down, so does your email. It's also less secure and you're more likely to end up with your emails being flagged as spam.
Like [email protected]? Technically, yes. But it’s less professional than using a custom domain and offers less control. If you want to continue using the Gmail interface, but for your business, that's exactly what Google Workspace is.
No, although it usually should. Some businesses will use a shorter URL for email if they have a really long website address. If you have multiple businesses underneath a parent company, you could also set up your email with the parent company’s domain. But other than that, we recommend using the same name for your domain, email, and social media handles.
Definitely. In fact, we usually set up email before we build the website. Our startup packages include URL registration to secure your domain name and set up an email account. You can then build a website down the road whenever you choose. Or just add a new domain name here to use for your email.
Email forwarding is when email sent to [email protected] will forward to [email protected]. It’s not actually an email account, just a free setting available with your domain name.
Setting this up allows you to use a business email address on your business cards, and receive that email at your existing account. The downside is that when you reply to someone, they’ll see your personal email address. You’ll also be mixing personal and business correspondence. You’ll eventually have to set up a business email address.
We only recommend email forwarding:
- as a temporary solution for startups/while decisions are being made.
- as part of a strategy after purchasing an email hosting plan
(example: accounting@ could be an alias that is forwarded to the appropriate person in the company)
An email client is the software/app that runs on your desktop or phone. So rather than going to Gmail.com to log in, you would install Apple Mail or Outlook, then add your email account. It allows you to check your email from your desktop (or iPhone’s Mail app) instead of having to keep a browser tab open.
Personally we love using Apple Mail and often recommend mail software for ease of use and better workflow (right on your desktop, no need to log in, etc.) But this is also a personal choice; if you're a wizard with Gmail's shortcut menu, you do you.