Do You Need a Domain and Business Email Address?

It started with a single post on Threads:

And wow — people had opinions on this topic. Some argued it’s unnecessary and you should save the money. Others said it signals legitimacy.

I firmly fall into the second camp: a business domain and email address aren’t optional. They don’t need to cost much, but operating without them can absolutely cost you business.

Why a business domain matters for solopreneurs

A business domain is the custom web address you own (like yourname.com). It signals professionalism, strengthens your brand, and lets you create a matching business email address.

If a business is operating with a Gmail address, I immediately wonder why. Either the business owner:

• Doesn't take the business seriously (it's a hobby, not a business)
• Truly can't afford the cost of a domain and business email
• Doesn't have the tech skills to connect a domain to a website or Google Workspace

Those assumptions may not be fair, but they do shape how clients see you. Perception matters a lot.

On Threads, one person commented that they “don’t want to check multiple inboxes,” but that’s not a compelling argument. Mixing business and personal gets really murky, especially as you're growing. Think about signing up for apps or tools and classifying the expense as business. It's a cleaner paper trail to tie the expense to a business email address.

Your emails are more likely to land in the junk folder

Using a free email domain is also a deliverability risk. Email deliverability refers to how likely your messages are to land in someone’s inbox instead of their spam folder. Using a custom domain improves deliverability because email providers filter addresses from free email providers (including Gmail) more aggressively.

That’s particularly dangerous if you plan to send cold emails or build a newsletter list. In fact, if a cold email with a Gmail address manages to land in my inbox, I immediately report spam. I just don't trust it. You need every advantage you can get when you’re trying to land in someone’s inbox, and a free Gmail address will work against you.

Email authentication solution Valimail confirms this, writing:

Using free email domains (Gmail, Yahoo, Hotmail) for business communications substantially increases the risk of landing in spam, especially for bulk sending. These domains lack the authentication capabilities of custom domains and appear less professional.

3 ways to keep costs low

If cost is a concern, there are a lot of ways to keep costs low.

1. Shop around for domains

Domains don’t need to cost hundreds of dollars per year. I have a lot of domains, and some are less than $15 per year.

If you're shopping for domains for the first time, check multiple providers like GoDaddy, Cloudflare, and Namecheap to compare pricing. You can also save money by using a less common extension like yourname.me instead of yourname.com. As long as it's brand-aligned, most clients won't care about the extension.

Do not buy a domain directly from your website provider. For example, if you use Squarespace for your website, don't use Squarespace to buy your domain. It makes it much harder if you ever want to move away from Squarespace later. (I know this through experience with WordPress.) Buy your domain from a domain provider.

2. Sign up for Google Workspace

Google Workspace starts at $7 per month, and it’s extremely easy to set up with your domain. When I set mine up, it was literally a single click, and Google handled the rest.

You get a professional email, access to the full suite of Google tools, and a clean separation between personal and business communication. For example, I also use Google Meet for meetings with clients since it's included in my Google Workspace plan.

3. Connect your domain to an inexpensive website

You do need a website, but it doesn’t have to be expensive or complicated. A simple Carrd [affiliate link*] site works perfectly well for showcasing your services and linking to your contact information, and Carrd is only $19/year.

It's really easy to set up and connect your domain to a website. You'll need to add some DNS (Domain Name System) records within your domain provider. When you “connect” your domain to a website builder, you’re simply updating DNS settings so everything points to the right place. Most website builders walk you through the DNS setup with step-by-step instructions and screenshots.

If you’re really trying to save money or are uncomfortable with building a website, you could use a product like Linktree, though having a website on your domain is always better.

A few exceptions

While I'm speaking very broadly, I recognize that there are a few exceptions to the "you need a domain" argument.

1. You have operated with a Gmail address for years and have a well-established business. It's probably not worth the switch.
2. You're located outside of the U.S. and U.S.-based pricing is unaffordable in your country.

However, for newly-established businesses located in the U.S. or in countries that have pricing similar to the U.S., I believe that your own domain linked to your website (at a minimum) and your email brings credibiltiy to your business.

Make the switch early to avoid headaches later

When I first started freelancing, I used a Gmail address too. I switched quickly, and I’m so glad I did.

The longer you wait, the harder it becomes — especially once you’ve opened accounts, created logins, and built client relationships tied to a personal Gmail. Switching early saves you a ton of administrative pain later.

A professional domain is about building a business foundation that can grow with you. And you deserve a setup that reflects the legitimacy of your work.

Check out my free eBook for other tools you need at different stages of your business.

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