When businesses think about branding, they usually think about logos, colours, and websites. Rarely does anyone include their email address in that conversation. But they should.
Your brand is everything the customer sees
Every touchpoint a customer has with your business forms an impression. Your website, your invoices, your social media, the way you write your emails — and yes, the email address itself.
A professional-looking website with a Gmail address in the footer creates a contradiction. You've put effort into looking credible in one area and undermined it in another without realising.
The email address is one of the most visible parts of your business identity. It's on your business cards, your invoices, your website contact page, your email signature. Every time someone sees it, it either reinforces your brand or quietly chips away at it.
What a branded email says
An email that ends in @yourbusiness.co.uk tells the recipient that you're an established business, you own your domain, and you've taken the basic steps to look professional. None of that requires a big investment — professional email starts from around £10 per month — but the signal it sends is worth far more than the cost.
The logo and email disconnect
I've spoken to plenty of business owners who have invested in a quality logo and a professional website, then continue to send emails from a free address. The logo and website do their job. The email undoes some of it.
Getting your logo, website, and email looking consistent is one of the most cost-effective things a small business can do to look established.
Find out more about professional business email addresses or get yours set up by NC Digital.