How to Get a Free Email Domain (5 Quick and Easy Methods)

Hey there!

Choosing the right email domain is one of the best things you can do when starting a business website.

Using a professional custom email address instead of a generic @gmail.com or @yahoo.com email instantly makes your business look more legitimate.

As an experienced webmaster with over 15 years in the industry, I highly recommend getting your own email domain because:

• It builds credibility and trust with customers
• Lets you stand out from competitors
• Reinforces your brand name
• Improves email deliverability rates

In this comprehensive guide, I‘ll share 5 quick and easy methods that you can use to get a free email domain for your small business or side hustle.

Let‘s get started!

What Exactly is an Email Domain?

Before we dive into how to get a free email domain, let‘s first make sure we‘re on the same page about what an email domain actually is.

The email domain is the part of an email address that comes after the @ symbol.

For example, in the email address [email protected], the domain name is "example.com".

Email domains allow you to create professional-looking email addresses using your own brand, business, or website name instead of relying on emails from free providers like Gmail, Yahoo, or Outlook.

Here are two ways you can get an email domain:

Option 1: Buy a Domain

This involves purchasing a domain name (like mybusiness.com) from a domain registrar like GoDaddy, Namecheap, etc.

It typically costs around $12 per year to buy a domain name. The benefit is you get full control and ownership of the domain.

Option 2: Get a Free Domain

Many web hosting companies like Bluehost, HostGator, or Hostinger provide a free domain name for the first year when you signup for web hosting.

This guide will focus on how to get a free email domain through a hosting provider. Let‘s look at 5 easy methods to get a custom email address.

Method 1: Get a Free Email Domain with Bluehost

Bluehost is one of the largest and most popular web hosting companies with over 2 million users. They offer a free domain for 1 year with all their hosting plans.

We‘ll walk through how to get a professional email domain by signing up for Bluehost‘s basic shared hosting plan.

Step 1: Sign up for Bluehost

First, go to the Bluehost website and click the green "Get Started" button.

On the pricing page, select the Basic shared hosting plan for $2.75/month. This is the cheapest option that still includes a free domain name.

[insert image]

Scroll down and enter a domain name you want to use in the "Create a New Domain" section. Click Next to continue.

If your preferred domain name is available, Bluehost will register it for you for free. If not, try another domain or keyword.

Complete the sign up process by entering your account information and payment details.

Step 2: Add Email Accounts

Once signed up, log in to your Bluehost dashboard. Click on the "Email" section in the left sidebar and then click Manage next to Bluehost Email.

This will open the email account management area inside cPanel. Click "Create" to add a new email account.

[insert image]

On the next screen, enter the full email address you want like [email protected] and set a password. You can also set the storage space for the account if needed.

Finally, click the "Create Account" button. Bluehost will now create your custom domain email address. Repeat this process to add more email accounts.

Step 3: Use Your New Email Domain

Now that your professional email domain is ready, there are a few different ways you can access and use it:

• Bluehost Webmail – Log in to your Bluehost dashboard and go to Advanced > Email Accounts. Click "Check Email" next to your account to access webmail directly in your browser.

• Email Apps – Bluehost provides detailed setup instructions for Outlook, Thunderbird, Apple Mail, iOS, Android, and more. You just need to plug in the IMAP/SMTP credentials provided in your control panel.

• Forward to Gmail – You can also forward emails from your custom domain to your existing Gmail account. Simply log in to your Bluehost email account, click Forwarders, and add your Gmail address.

• Send with Gmail – Another option is to add your Bluehost email as a send-only account in Gmail. This allows you to send emails from your custom domain using Gmail. Just add it as an additional account.

And that‘s how you can get a free professional email domain with Bluehost in just a few clicks. The basic plan also includes a free SSL certificate.

Method 2: Get a Free Email Domain with Hostinger

Hostinger is a fast-growing hosting provider known for their affordable pricing. They offer a free domain name for the first year with all plans.

Let‘s go through how to get a custom email address using your free Hostinger domain.

Step 1: Sign up for Hostinger

Go to the Hostinger website and click the "Get Started" button. On the next page, choose the "Premium Shared Hosting" plan with a 12-month billing cycle.

Complete the sign up process by entering your account details and payment information. Hostinger will email you the login details for your hosting dashboard.

Step 2: Claim Your Free Domain

Log in to your Hostinger dashboard. On the hosting setup page, scroll down to the "Claim a Free Domain" section.

[insert image]

Enter a domain name you want and click Continue. Hostinger will check availability and register it for free with your hosting plan.

Step 3: Add Email Accounts

In your Hostinger dashboard, go to the "Emails" section. Click "Manage" next to your new domain name.

[insert image]

On the next page, click "Create a New Email Account". Enter the full email address like [email protected], set a password and recovery email.

Click "Create new account". Your professional email address will be created instantly.

Step 4: Use Your Email Domain

To access your new email domain, you have a few options:

• Use the Webmail feature directly in your Hostinger dashboard.

• Connect your email domain to email clients like Thunderbird using the IMAP/SMTP credentials.

• Forward emails from your custom domain to an existing Gmail account if needed.

• Send emails through Gmail by adding your Hostinger email as an account.

Getting a free email domain with Hostinger only takes a few minutes. It‘s a great way for startups and small businesses to look more professional online.

Method 3: Get a Free Email Domain with HostGator

HostGator is a popular and affordable web hosting provider. They also provide free domain registration with most of their hosting plans.

We‘ll cover how you can get a custom email address using a free domain from HostGator.

Step 1: Sign up for HostGator

Go to the HostGator website and click the "Get Started Now" button. On the next page, select the "Hatchling" shared hosting plan.

Enter your account details and choose a domain name that is available. Complete the signup process.

Step 2: Add Email Accounts

Log in to your HostGator control panel. Go to Hosting → Domains → Email Accounts.

[insert image]

Click "Create" to add a new email account. On the next screen, enter the full email address you want. Also set a secure password.

Click "Create Account". HostGator will configure your new custom email address.

Step 3: Use Your Email Domain

You have multiple ways to access your free email domain with HostGator:

• Check emails directly through HostGator‘s webmail by clicking "Check Email".

• Connect email clients like Outlook or Thunderbird using the POP3/SMTP credentials.

• Forward emails to an existing Gmail account if needed.

• Use the email with Gmail by adding it as a send-only account.

Getting up and running with a free domain email from HostGator only takes a few minutes. It‘s a great option for solopreneurs and startups looking for a professional email.

Method 4: Create a Custom Domain Email with Google Workspace

Google Workspace (formerly G Suite) is a paid solution that lets you use Gmail for your own domain name.

Although not free, Google Workspace offers enterprise-grade email powered by Gmail with top-notch security, reliability, and spam filtering.

Here is an overview of how to get professional email addresses like [email protected] with Google Workspace:

Step 1: Sign Up for Google Workspace

Visit the Google Workspace website and select a plan. The basic plan starts at $6 per user per month.

Enter your business details and payment information. Complete the signup process.

Google will send you a verification email to access your admin console.

Step 2: Connect Your Domain

Log in to your Google Workspace admin console. Click on "Start setup".

You will now be guided through the domain setup. Google Workspace will provide the MX records needed to link your domain.

Go to your domain registrar and update the MX records as well as TXT verification records. This verifies you own the domain.

Step 3: Create Email Addresses

Once domain verification is complete, you can create unlimited email addresses like [email protected] from your admin console.

Add users, set permissions, and configure settings. Your Gmail inbox will now work seamlessly with your custom domain name.

Google Workspace comes with premium features like:

• 99.9% uptime and reliablity
• Industry-leading spam filtering
• 30GB cloud storage per user
• Integration with Google Drive, Calendar, Meet, and more
• Phone and email support

While paid, Google Workspace is a smart investment for established businesses ready to level up their email.

Method 5: Create Domain Email with Microsoft 365

Microsoft 365 (formerly Office 365) is another paid solution that offers enterprise-level email powered by Outlook along with other business apps.

Let‘s look at an overview of how to get a custom email domain with Microsoft 365:

Step 1: Sign Up for Microsoft 365

Go to the Microsoft 365 website and purchase a subscription plan. The Business Basic plan starting at $5/user/month includes custom email.

Complete signup by entering your Microsoft account and payment details. Access your Microsoft 365 admin dashboard.

Step 2: Verify Your Domain

In your Microsoft 365 dashboard, click "Set up" under the domain section.

Choose "Use a domain you own" and enter your existing domain name.

Microsoft will provide TXT and MX records to add to your domain registrar to verify ownership.

Step 3: Create Email Addresses

Once domain verification completes, Microsoft 365 will guide you through creating your first email address using your domain.

Add additional users if needed. You can now send/receive emails for your custom domain using Outlook.

With Microsoft 365, you also get other features like:

• Access to web and desktop Outlook email client
• 1TB storage per user
• Microsoft Teams for video meetings
• File sharing with SharePoint
• Intrusion detection and prevention
• Phone support plans

While paid, Microsoft 365 provides enterprise-level email and apps for established businesses. Plans start at $5/user per month.

Which Free Email Domain Method is Best?

So now that you know how to get a free email domain in 5 different ways, let‘s recap the options:

• Bluehost, Hostinger, HostGator – Ideal for solopreneurs and early startups. You get a free domain for the first year. Basic email features. Allows you to upgrade later as your business grows.

• Google Workspace – Best for growing businesses ready to invest in premium email. Top-notch security, delivery, and integration with Gmail. Costs $6/user/month.

• Microsoft 365 – Great for established businesses. Loaded with enterprise features beyond just email. Costs around $5/user/month.

As an experienced webmaster, my recommendation for most small businesses and startups is to start with a free domain name from your hosting provider. This lets you test the waters with minimal investment.

Bluehost, Hostinger, and HostGator all offer free domains for the first year. The free email that comes with these works nicely for getting started.

Later down the road as your business grows, you may want to upgrade to a paid solution like Google Workspace or Microsoft 365. Their premium email services and extra features are worth the monthly cost for established businesses.

But you don‘t have to decide that now. Just go with a free domain to look professional from day one without spending a dime. You can always switch or upgrade later.

I hope this guide gave you a good overview of your options to get a free email domain! Let me know if you have any other questions.