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Email Account vs Email Forwarder

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    Understanding Your Email Options for a Custom Domain

    If you’re setting up a website, one of the most common questions is how to get an email like you@yourwebsite.com. There are a couple of ways to do this, and it’s important to choose the right one based on what you need.

    Option 1: Email Account

    An email account is exactly what you’d expect from free services like Gmail or Outlook, but a paid option is required to use your domain name. You get a dedicated inbox, the ability to send and receive emails, and all the features of a modern email client.

    What You Get:

    • A standalone inbox you log into
    • The ability to send and receive emails from you@yourwebsite.com
    • Support for syncing across devices
    • Spam filtering and security
    • Compatibility with email clients like Gmail, Outlook, Apple Mail

    Who It’s For:

    • You want to manage your email directly from your custom domain
    • You want a reliable, professional-grade email solution
    • You expect to send emails from this address, not just receive

    Popular Services:

    • Google Workspace
      • Starts at $6/user/month
      • Includes Gmail, Calendar, Drive, Docs, and Meet
    • Microsoft 365
      • Starts at $6/user/month
      • Includes Outlook, Word, Excel, Teams, and OneDrive

    Option 2: Email Forwarder

    An email forwarder is a more straightforward setup that lets you create an address at your custom domain and forward incoming messages from you@yourdomain.com to another email account you already use (like yourname@gmail.com).

    What You Get:

    • A custom email address (you@yourdomain.com) that forwards to another inbox
    • Simple setup, free with our service

    Who It’s For:

    • You want the appearance of a professional address without managing another inbox
    • You don’t need to send emails from the custom address

    Limitations:

    • You can’t send emails directly from the forwarded address unless you configure your mail client
    • There is no dedicated inbox or storage

    Final Thoughts

    If you’re simply looking to receive email at your custom domain, a forwarder may be enough. However, if you need to send professional emails, collaborate, and manage your communications through a real inbox, a paid account from Google or Microsoft is a worthwhile investment.

    Still unsure which to choose? Reach out—we’re happy to help you set up the right solution.