If you’re looking to create a custom email address that matches your website’s domain name and want to manage it using the familiar Gmail interface, you have two main options.  One is the Google Workspace (the paid option) and the second one is configuring Gmail to fetch mail from your custom domain (the free option). 

Each option allows you to leverage Gmail’s powerful features while maintaining a professional appearance with your custom domain.  

This guide offers detailed instructions to help you get your custom email address up and running seamlessly. 

Benefits of linking your custom domain email to Gmail 

 

  • Professionalism: Using a custom domain email address (e.g., [email protected]) enhances your professional image and credibility. 
  • Familiar interface: Enjoy Gmail’s user-friendly interface and powerful features, making email management easy and efficient. 
  • Centralized communication: Consolidate your personal and professional emails in one place, reducing the need to switch between different email platforms. 
  • Enhanced security: Benefit from the robust security measures of Gmail, including spam filtering, two-factor authentication, and phishing protection. 
  • Seamless integration: Easily integrate with other Google services such as Google Calendar, Google Drive, and Google Meet for a more streamlined workflow. 
  • Accessibility: Access your custom domain email from any device with Gmail, ensuring you stay connected and responsive on the go. 

 

The Free Option: Enable Gmail to Work with Your Custom Email Domain 

For this option, you need a hosting plan. Renowned hosting providers may provide email hosting as one of the features of their web hosting package while some may charge an additional fee for it.  

This method allows you to set up Gmail with your custom email domain for free. To use this method, you need an existing hosting setup that supports email hosting.  

Here’s how it works: 

1. Set up a free Gmail account 

Begin by creating a standard free Gmail account, such as [email protected]. If you already have a Gmail account, you can use it for this purpose. Keep in mind that emails sent to your custom domain will be combined with those sent to your existing Gmail account. If you receive a high volume of emails, it might be more manageable to create a separate Gmail account for your custom domain to keep things organized. 

2. Set up your custom email address with your hosting provider 

Next, create your custom email address through your email hosting provider if you haven’t already done so. For example, you might set up an address like [email protected]. Ensure you note down the password you set for your email account, along with the POP and SMTP server addresses. These details are crucial for configuring your email and can typically be found in your hosting provider’s settings or documentation. 

3. Enable Gmail to receive emails via POP3 

To connect your Gmail account with your custom email address and import emails using POP3, follow these steps: 

1. Gather information:  

Ensure you have the necessary details from your email hosting provider, including: 

  • Your email address and password 
  • POP server address and port 
  • SMTP server address and port

2. Access Gmail settings:

  • Click the gear icon in the top-right corner of Gmail and select “See all settings.” 
  • Navigate to the “Accounts and Import” tab. 
  • Look for the “Check mail from other accounts” section and click on “Add a mail account.” 
  • Type the email address of the other account, then click Next. 
  • Check the option “Import emails from my other account (POP3)” and click Next.

 3. Set up POP3: 

  • In the popup window, enter your custom email address (e.g., [email protected]). 
  • Add your password. 
  • Add the POP Server and Port provided by your email host. 
  • Check the options for “Leave a copy of retrieved messages on the server” and “Always use a secure connection (SSL) when retrieving mail.” 
  • Optionally, add a label to organize the imported emails. 
  • Click on “Add Account” to complete the setup. 

Following these steps will enable Gmail to import and manage emails from your custom domain address. 

 

4. Configure Gmail to send emails using SMTP 

Now that your custom domain emails are arriving in Gmail, you need to set up Gmail to send emails from your custom email address. This involves configuring Gmail to use your custom email’s SMTP server. You can usually find the SMTP server details where you located the POP3 settings. 

To set this up: 

1. Access Gmail settings: 

  • Navigate back to the “Accounts and Import” tab in your Gmail settings. 

2. Add your custom email address: 

  • Find the “Send mail as” section and select “Add another email address.” 
  • A new window will open with multiple setup steps.

3. Enter email details: 

  • On the first screen, input your name and the custom email address you wish to use. 
  • Check the box for “Treat as an alias.”

4. Configure SMTP settings:

  • Enter the SMTP server address and port provided by your email host. 
  • Input your username (usually your full email address, or the part before the @). 
  • Enter the password you created for your custom email. 
  • Select the recommended secure connection method (SSL/TLS).

5. Complete setup: 

  • Click “Add Account.” 
  • Gmail will send a confirmation code to your custom email address. Open this email in Gmail and click the confirmation link to finalize the setup. 

Since Gmail is already configured to receive emails from your custom domain, you should get the confirmation email shortly. It may take a few minutes for Gmail to fetch it from the server. 

5. Test your setup 

  • Verify functionality: You’re almost there! Send and receive some test emails to confirm that everything is functioning correctly. 
  • Compose email: When creating a new email in Gmail, you should be able to select your desired email address from a drop-down menu above the “To” field. 

If all tests are successful, your setup is complete and functioning as expected! 

ALSO READ: Why You Need a Custom Email Address For Your Business 

 

The Paid Option: Google Workspace 

Google Workspace transforms how your business operates online. It provides a professional email with your company’s domain, like john@yourcompany, and offers Google’s digital tools, including cloud storage, shared calendars, and video conferencing, to streamline team collaboration. 

What can you do with Google Workspace 

  • Custom business email: Create personalized email addresses for your team to enhance your brand. 
  • Secure backups: Protect and back up your team’s emails and files. 
  • Real-time collaboration: Work together on documents, hold video meetings, and build project sites from any device. 
  • Centralized tools: Access all your work tools in one place. 
  • Offline access: Check and draft emails offline; they’ll send once you’re back online. 
  • Reliable uptime: Enjoy 99.9% uptime with top-tier spam filters for your business email. 

How does Google Workspace work with your domain and email? 

When you sign up for Google Workspace, you can either buy a new domain or use an existing one. With your domain, you and your team gain access to various Google Workspace services, including: 

  • Gmail 
  • Calendar 
  • Drive storage 
  • Google Docs (Docs, Sheets, Slides) 
  • App Maker, Keep, Sites, and Jamboard 

Verify your domain 

To use Google Workspace with your domain, you need to confirm ownership. During signup, you need to follow on-screen instructions. 

Set up a custom email 

Google Workspace allows you to create a custom email with your domain, such as john@yourcompany. This professional email enhances customer trust and enables group mailing lists like sales@yourcompany. After signing up and verifying your domain, you’ll receive instructions to set up your custom email by updating your domain’s MX records. 

You can enjoy Google Workspace services with BigRock. 

If you still have queries or suggestions, feel free to write them in the comment section below. We’ll be happy to help!