What is an email domain and how do I set one up?

Have you ever wondered how to get a custom email address for your business or organisation, but feel baffled by terms like email domain and don't know where to start? Here we unravel how to get set up in just a few simple steps.

Updated: 05 June 2025

Having a professional email address that reflects your brand or personal identity is crucial in today's digital world. Instead of relying on generic email providers like Gmail or Yahoo, using a custom email domain can significantly enhance your credibility and online presence. But what exactly is an email domain, and how do you set one up and use it? Let's dive in.

What is an email domain?

An email domain is the part of an email address that comes after the "@" symbol. It is a unique name that identifies you or your organisation in your email addresses. For example, in the email address "you@yourbusiness.com", "yourbusiness.com" is the email domain.

Is an email domain the same as a website domain?

Although often referred to as "email domain" or "website domain", these are actually the same thing, simply called a "domain" or "domain name". The same domain is used for email and/or website, and you don't need to buy separate domains for each application (assuming you want to use the same domain for both email and website).

Why is an email domain important?

• Professionalism: It adds credibility and professionalism to your communications.
• Brand Recognition: It reinforces your brand every time you send an email.
• Trust: Customers are more likely to trust emails from a branded address.
• Control: You have full control over your email accounts and data.
• Consistency: It ensures a consistent brand image across all communications.

Find out more:

• Why every business & organisation needs a custom email address
• Why a paid email service is a smart move for your business

How to set up an email domain

Setting up an email domain involves a few key steps:

• Choose a domain name

  This will be the part after the "@" symbol in your email address. It should ideally reflect your business, organisation, personal or project name, depending on what your email will be used for. It must be completely unique on the internet so you need to choose one that's not already taken. Why not use our handy email finder and suggestion tool to help you find an available email domain?

• Register your domain

  You'll need to register your chosen domain name through a domain registration company. Or often an easier option is to choose an email service that includes the domain as part of a package. We believe in keeping things simple so all our email packages include a free domain – simply choose your email address(es) and we register the domain for you and configure everything (so you can skip this and the next two steps!).

• Choose an email hosting provider

  You'll need an email hosting provider to manage your email accounts. Always carefully check what each company offers to make sure you get exactly what you need. It's a great idea to think about what you might need in the future e.g. does your chosen email provider offer the flexibility to add more space or addresses later on as you grow?

• Configure your domain

  Once you've chosen an email provider, you'll need to configure what's called your domain's "DNS". In simple terms this just tells the internet where to deliver your emails. You will do this with your domain company usually by logging in and changing your domain's nameservers or setting up DNS records given to you by your email provider. This step might feel confusing as it uses potentially unfamiliar terms like "nameservers" "DNS" and "MX", but your email provider will usually be happy to explain. Or you can avoid this completely if you choose an email provider that registers and configures your domain for you, like our packages, leaving you free to start using your email without any technical domain stuff.

• Create your email addresses

  Set up your email addresses with your email provider – usually in your email package or control panel. You might choose individual addresses (e.g. yourname@yourbusiness.com) and/or general addresses (e.g. info@yourbusiness.com). Remember to choose secure passwords to ensure your email is kept safe.

• Configure your email client / software / app

  Most providers have a Webmail system where you can access your email through a web browser without setting anything up. But usually you can also configure an email client like Outlook, Apple Mail, Android Mail or Thunderbird to log in automatically. Your email hosting provider will give you instructions and all the settings you need.

That's it, you're done!

Setting up a custom email domain is a straightforward process that offers many benefits. If you follow the steps above, in no time you'll have your very own email domain with custom email addresses set up and ready to use. Then all that's left to do is to give your address(es) to your contacts, add it to your stationary or use it for online purchases. An email domain and custom email addresses are such an important part of your online presence, why wait? Get yours today!