Want to know what stops me mid-scroll when I’m shopping online? Seeing an email address like SarahsCrafts@gmail.com or Sarah-HandmadeCrafts@yahoo.com. (Sorry if your name is Sarah, lol!).
But honestly, a little voice pops into my head saying, “Hmm, is this shop just a weekend project? Will they stick around if I need help with my order?” Sure, I might still grab that $10 ring, but for anything pricier? That free email address makes me hesitate – and sometimes click away completely.
I know I can’t be the only one who feels that way! So let’s talk about why that seemingly small detail – your email address – can actually have a surprisingly big impact on how your customers see you and your awesome ecommerce store.
Getting a professional, branded email is easy, and you can get it done today. Let me give 7 reasons why you need a branded email for your e-commerce store and I’ll even point you in the right direction to make it super easy to get started.
What Is a Branded Email?
Before we dive into all the reasons you need one, let’s get clear on what a branded email actually is!
A branded email is simply an email address that uses your business domain name (the part after the @ symbol) instead of a free email provider. For example hello@yourbusinessname.com and support@yourbusinessname.com instead of yourbusinessname@gmail.com.
Your branded email matches your website address (yourbusinessname.com) and becomes an extension of your brand identity.
Now, let’s talk about why this seemingly small detail can make such a huge difference for your e-commerce store!
Why You Need a Branded Email
Reason #1: First Impressions Matter
Think about it… when you’re checking out a new online store, you might poke around their “Contact Us” page or see their email listed on social media. If you see an email like cooltees@gmail.com, a little alarm bell might ring, right? It can make you wonder, “Wait, is this just a side hustle? Will they actually respond if my order gets lost?”
Now flip that script. Imagine seeing hello@cooltees.com or support@cooltees.com instead. Feels totally different, right? That simple change signals “we’re an actual business that’s here to stay.” It’s a small thing, but it makes a big difference in building that initial trust with potential customers.
And hey, speaking of needing to get more serious about your email, Google rolled out some big changes in 2024 that make branded emails even MORE important. These updates basically require businesses to verify their emails properly to even reach your customers’ inboxes! You can read about the changes here and also read about branded emails here.
What this means for your online store: When potential customers are browsing your site or checking you out on social media and see a branded email address, it subconsciously makes them feel more secure about reaching out with questions or concerns. This trust is HUGE when they’re considering making a purchase. They know you’re a real business that will still be around next week, next month, and next year – which means more sales and happier customers for you! 💰
Reason #2: Your Email = Your Mini Billboard
Imagine this: Every single email you send acts like a tiny ad for your shop. Whether it’s a thank you for their order, a shipping update, or even just answering a question – When you write from support@yourcutetees.com, guess what? “Your Cute Tees” shows up right in your customer’s inbox!
It’s free marketing that works 24/7. Customers see your brand name when you confirm their order, when you send shipping updates, and when you answer their questions. Zero extra effort from you, but your shop name gets stamped into their brain.
What this means for your online store: Your customers now spot your brand EVERYWHERE – your website, your social posts, AND your emails. This consistent branding burns your shop name into their memory. That familiar feeling? It brings them back to buy again and again! 🛍️
Weekly emails for ecom shop owners!
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Reason #3: Stay Out of the Spam Folder
Let’s be real, even with a shiny new branded email, there’s no magic wand that guarantees you’ll never land in someone’s spam folder. Email systems can be a bit finicky!
But the truth is that email systems are way more suspicious of emails coming from free accounts like thebeststoreever@gmail.com WAY more than a professional, especially if you’re sending out a lot of emails. It’s like showing up to a fancy event and you’re in yoga pants – you might get in, but you’ll get some looks! 👀
Think about all the time and effort you put into crafting those awesome marketing emails, announcing new products, and customizing your purchase emails. It’s super frustrating when those messages disappear into the void of the spam folder, never to be seen by your customers!
What this means for your online store: When your emails don’t reach inboxes, customers miss your flash sales, don’t see shipping updates, and might think you’re ignoring their questions! The result? Lost sales, confused shoppers, and headaches all around. A branded email address gives your messages a MUCH better chance of actually getting seen. That means your hard work pays off instead of vanishing into the digital void!
Reason #4: Look Like You Mean Business & Own Your Online Real Estate
Your branded email works like a power suit for your business. Even if you’re running your entire shop solo from your kitchen table and in your pajamas, an email like hello@amazingcandles.com screams “I’m serious about my business!”
Think of your domain name like your little piece of internet real estate. You OWN it – it’s yours! Just like you can build different shops on your land, you can build different email addresses on your domain.
The beauty here? If you ever switch website platforms or try a different email service, your hello@amazingcandles.com stays with YOU. It’s not trapped with any one service provider.
Pro tip: Set up your renewal with autopay! Not speaking from experience… okay maybe I am 😅
What this means for your online store: When shoppers visit your site or spot your brand on social media, that professional vibe builds instant trust. They’ll pick a “real business” over a hobby shop almost every time – regardless of whether you have a team or it’s just you and your dog. Plus, you’re not locked into any one service provider – you can make changes to your business setup without changing how customers reach you. That ownership and flexibility is priceless for your growing business!
Reason #5: Future-Proof Your Inbox & Claim Your Perfect Email Name
Right now, you may be a one person show, doing all the things from responding to customer questions, order processing, shipping issues, the works. But what happens when your shop blows up? (And it WILL!) More customers, more questions, more EVERYTHING… and suddenly your inbox looks like a digital tornado hit it.
This is where branded email saves the day! You can create multiple addresses like sales@organicskin.com, support@organicskin.com, and returns@organicskin.com – all under your domain. Each “department” gets its own inbox, keeping everything neat and sorted.
Plus, with your own domain name, you get to pick EXACTLY the email addresses you want. No more settling for hello–StoreName@gmail.com because hello.StoreName@gmail.com was already taken. You get clean, professional addresses that match your brand perfectly – they’re easier for customers to remember and use too!
What this means for your online store: Your customers reach exactly who they need, faster. No more important messages buried under 50 other emails! Your shoppers get quick, helpful responses that make them feel valued. And as you grow, your email system grows with you – ready to add new team members or departments without missing a beat. That perfect, professional email address becomes part of your brand identity that customers recognize instantly!
Reason #6: When Email Emergencies Strike & The Unexpected Perks
Your email is the lifeline of your online store. It’s how you talk to customers, confirm orders, and run your marketing. So what happens when your email suddenly crashes during your biggest sale of the year? With a free email service, you’re stuck scrolling through endless help pages trying to find answers. Have you seen Google’s support pages? Sorry, Google, but finding a real person to help you can feel like searching for a unicorn!
But here’s a big perk of getting your email through domain providers like GoDaddy or Namecheap – they offer ACTUAL human support! Real people you can communicate with when things go sideways.
These providers often throw in some awesome extras too like:
- Extra storage space for your important files
- Security features
- Tools for team collaboration when you start growing
What this means for your online store: When tech problems hit (and they will!), you’re not alone. You can get help fast and get back to serving customers ASAP. Plus, those bonus features can save you money since you don’t need to pay for separate storage or security solutions. More bang for your buck means more budget for growing your business!
Reason #7: Protecting Your Business and Customer Info
Think about all the sensitive information that flows through your business email: customer orders, shipping addresses, sometimes even payment details, and all your private business communications. Just like you’d lock the doors to your physical shop, you need to secure your digital communications.
Here’s what most business owners don’t realize: Professional email services from places like GoDaddy and Namecheap provide WAY better security than free accounts. They add extra layers of protection like stronger encryption and better spam filters to keep the hackers out.
What this means for your online store: One hacked email account can damage your reputation, scare off customers, and even land you in legal hot water. When you protect your customers’ info with better security, you show them you care about their safety. That builds SERIOUS trust. And in ecommerce, trust = sales. It is as simple as that! 🛡️
Making the Switch is Easy
Okay, so you’re convinced, right? You’re ready to ditch the free email and go pro with a branded one. Here’s the simple breakdown:
First, you need your own domain name (that’s your www.yourstore.com address). This becomes the foundation for your branded email – you can’t have hello@yourstore.com without owning yourstore.com first!
The good news is, it’s not some complicated tech wizardry! Trusted domain providers make it super simple to grab your domain and set up professional email addresses.
Personally, I purchased my domain and email through Google Domains (which is now Squarespace). When they merged they transferred everything that was needed to make it easy for us so I haven’t had a lot of direct experience managing things through Squarespace’s domain services day-to-day.
That’s why I personally recommend GoDaddy and Namecheap . Both have super user-friendly dashboards and step-by-step guides that walk you through everything – from picking your domain to setting up your shiny new email addresses and connecting it to your preferred email marketing provider.
Think of it like setting up a new Instagram account – a few steps, but nothing you can’t handle! And if you get stuck? They both have customer support to help you.
Don’t let the tech side scare you off. Getting your branded email is easier than you think – and SO worth it! 💯
Go Pro!
Ok, friend, we’ve covered a lot! But here’s the bottom line: if you’re serious about your ecommerce store, and I know you are! Then upgrading to a branded email address is one of the smartest, easiest moves you can make.
This isn’t just about looking fancy (though that’s a nice bonus!). It’s about:
- Building REAL trust with your customers
- Making your brand stick in people’s minds
- Getting your emails actually SEEN, not spam-foldered
- Setting yourself up for growth
- Keeping your customer info secure
For just a few dollars a month, you get all that AND the pro image that helps turn browsers into buyers. So… ready to go pro? Your inbox (and your bank account!) will thank you. You’ve totally got this! ✨
Get Your Pro Email with GoDaddy or Set Up Your Branded Email with Namecheap
FAQ
How do I set up email forwarding from my old account to my new branded email?
Setting up email forwarding ensures you don’t miss any messages during transition. This creates a smooth transition period where you can receive all communications while gradually updating your contacts.
What’s the difference between email hosting and web hosting?
Although they often come bundled together, these are separate services. Web hosting is where your website files live for example Shopify, while email hosting manages your email accounts. You can have different providers for each.
How can I test my branded email deliverability rates?
Use a tool like mail-tester.com or easydmarc.com to check how likely your emails are to reach inboxes. Send a test email to their service, and they’ll analyze factors affecting deliverability: authentication records (SPF, DKIM, DMARC), content quality, sender reputation, and technical setup. Regular testing helps identify issues before they impact customer communications.
What email authentication records should I set up with my branded email?
Three critical authentication records improve deliverability and security:
- SPF (Sender Policy Framework): Specifies which servers can send email from your domain
- DKIM (DomainKeys Identified Mail): Adds a digital signature verifying emails weren’t tampered with
- DMARC (Domain-based Message Authentication): Tells receiving servers how to handle emails that fail authentication
Your email provider should offer guidance on setting these up through your domain’s DNS settings.
