Are you a blogger or freelancer? Maybe you’re using a free email service like Gmail or Yahoo for your personal communication. While it may be suitable for personal use, it’s not the best choice for your professional image. Having a professional email address, like [email protected] or [email protected], not only adds professionalism to your communication but also enhances your credibility. Imagine receiving an email from [email protected] versus [email protected] – which one would you perceive as more professional and trustworthy?
Why You Should Avoid Using Your Hosting Company’s Email
Using the email accounts provided by your web hosting company is not recommended. The main reason is that migrating your email account can become a major hassle when you decide to change or move hosting providers. On the other hand, with G Suite, all you need to do is update the Google Apps MX records – it’s a smooth and seamless process. I’ve been using G Suite for my own sites for the past 9 years, and I’ve never experienced any issues.
Benefits of Having a Professional Email Address
If you’re an entrepreneur or blogger seeking an approved AdSense account, using a professional email address during the sign-up process can significantly improve your chances of approval. It adds an extra layer of trust and professionalism to your application. Moreover, having Google Apps set up for your domain offers a range of useful features that can benefit you in the long run.
Setting Up Google Apps with Bluehost Hosting
Step 1: Selecting a Domain
Let’s start by choosing the option that states “Use a domain name I have already purchased” since you already have a domain. Simply enter your domain name and click submit.
Step 2: Choosing the Primary Email Address
Now, select a primary email address for your domain, such as [email protected], and you can later add additional addresses. For organizational purposes, I suggest using one with “admin” in it. Fill out the necessary details, such as organization name, address, and alternate email address. Make sure to choose an alternate email address that you can constantly access, as it will be helpful for password recovery.
Step 3: Creating Your Google Apps Account
Next, read and accept the Terms of Service at the bottom of the page, and then click on “I accept, create my account.” You’ll be redirected to your G Suite dashboard.
Step 4: Verifying Your Domain Ownership
The first thing you’ll need to do is verify your domain ownership. You can choose from various verification methods, but I recommend the HTML tag method for its simplicity. Simply add the provided meta tag to your site’s header, and the verification will be instant. If you’ve purchased your domain from GoDaddy or Enom, you can refer to a relevant tutorial for the verification process.
Step 5: Configuring Email and Other Services
Once your domain ownership is verified, you can add more users and configure email, calendar, and other services offered by G Suite. If you need assistance, refer to the Organization and Users tab.
Step 6: Updating MX Records
In order to send and receive emails using your new professional email address, you need to update the MX record from the cPanel. If you’re using Bluehost hosting, you’re in luck as they provide a convenient Google Apps Wizard that simplifies the setup process. For other hosting providers, you can manually add the MX record.
Optional Step: Enhancing Security with SSL
If you want to enhance the security of your Google Apps, you can enable the SSL feature in the Domain Settings. This will provide an extra layer of protection for your email accounts.
Conclusion
Setting up a professional email address for your business or website is crucial for establishing credibility and building trust with your audience. By utilizing G Suite, you can take advantage of a range of features that will benefit your business in the long run. Follow the steps outlined in this tutorial to set up Google Apps with Bluehost hosting, or customize the process for any other hosting provider that offers cPanel. If you need assistance, feel free to reach out. And if you found this tutorial helpful, share it with others and subscribe to our newsletter for more useful tips and tutorials.
Further Reading:
– The Importance of a Professional Email Address
– Creating an Effective Professional Email Address with G Suite
