As a website design company, one question we ask our clients is, “What email address do you want to use on your website?” You might think it a simple question with a simple answer, but it actually deserves a little thought. Here are a few variations to consider and how we recommend applying them.
You@YourBusiness.com (Functioning Email Account)
You want a branded email on your website, not one that doesn’t use your company domain name, such as You@gmail.com. For more on this, see our article 4 Reasons to Have a Branded Email Address. But unless you are your brand (e.g., you’re an author, speaker, coach, or you and your business are otherwise interchangeable), consider providing a generic company email on your website like Info@YourBusiness.com. However, when you correspond personally with clients, prospects, or other people, use your individual branded company email address, not a generic one.
Info@YourBusiness.com (Forwarding Email Account)
It’s standard for contact call-to-action buttons to connect to an Info address (unless you’re measuring conversion rates using multiple email addresses). But, to avoid the complication and risk of missing communications, we suggest this address simply forward to a primary account. This also ensures people get a response from a personalized account, rather than a nameless, impersonal Info account. If you’re not reliably often available on your email, this address could forward to more than one relevant person, as prompt responses are essential for small businesses. Remember, forward to a primary branded company account, not a personal or unbranded account, so people receive a reply from a professional address.
Admin@YourBusiness.com (Forwarding Email Account)
This is a good behind-the-scenes option for setting up third-party accounts requiring email registration, like your domain registration information, Google Analytics account, social media management tools, and so on. Of course, with certain financial or other applications containing sensitive information, be careful about your email strategy. But for most of the applications we all use for day-to-day businesses, one company Admin address simplifies things. Consider making this a forwarding account, too, rather than create another inbox to manage. Just make sure this email forwards to a trusted account, especially if you use it for important registrations.
