Google Workspace Account Setup

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 on your behalf.

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 might 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.

One caveat: it's often a good idea to use a different domain if you send a lot of marketing emails (as a precaution to prevent your primary domain from getting flagged as spam).

Definitely. In fact, we usually set up email before we build the website. Our startup package includes URL registration to secure your domain name and set up an email account.

If necessary, we can register a new domain name on your behalf as part of the email setup process.

You sure can. Google has created a nice onboarding flow, but be aware that you'll have to access your domain name and add TXT and MX records, so it does get a bit technical. In addition, you'll also want to set up DKIM and SPF records to ensure deliverability, and those settings are a bit hidden and more confusing.

If you're not comfortable with the technical side of things, complete this form to request setup. If you'd like to do it yourself, click here, then click 'Get Started' on your preferred plan (Starter is fine for most businesses), then follow the prompts. Watch out for the AI upcharge...

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:

1. as a temporary solution for startups/while decisions are being made.
2. 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.

Many website hosts and builders are Google Workspace resellers, meaning they offer inline setup when you're setting up your website. We do not EVER recommend doing this. It means that your email is essentially held hostage by the website provider, which can cause issues if you decide to leave, lose access to your account, or even want to administer settings without a convoluted login process.

We are a Google affiliate, but we don't resell the accounts. Meaning that we set up Google Workspace on your behalf (hopefully with a coupon code when we have them). But the account, billing, and everything else is fully between you and Google after that. We do not retain any control after setup.

We totally understand, and there are certainly other options. While we no longer offer email hosting, we can set up other accounts. Inquire here if you have something else in mind.