It’s important to think critically about the email address you use in personal and professional communication
At the heart of that decision is the domain — the part that follows the “@” symbol. Whether you’re using email for personal or business matters, understanding what an email domain is and how to choose the right one can significantly impact your online presence.
This article will teach you everything you need to know about email domains and how to select and set up the perfect one for your needs.
What is an email domain?
An email domain is the part of an email address that comes after the “@” symbol. For instance, in the email address “john.doe@example.com”, “example.com” is the email domain. This domain consists of a domain name (example) and a top-level domain (.com).
Essentially, a top-level domain (TLD) is like a zip code, a domain is a street name, and the username is your house address.
It’s best if email addresses are unique to ensure your messages are delivered to the correct person. But email domains can be shared by an almost unlimited number of email addresses.
What is a custom email domain?
Most email addresses use the default domain provided by their email service. For Proton Mail accounts, it’s proton.me. For Gmail, it’s gmail.com. These are usually free and work just fine for most people.
But there are situations where it makes sense to create a custom email domain. For example, if you’re running a business, starting a club, or building a personal brand, you may want to get a custom email domain to improve your organizational security and reputation.
Domain names are essentially memorable shorthand that help route traffic on the internet.
How to get a custom email domain
How to choose a custom domain for your email
If it’s your first time picking a custom domain, you might not know where to start. Here are some tips to keep in mind.
Relevance
Make sure the custom domain name is relevant to your business or personal brand. A relevant domain helps make a strong impression and aids in brand recall.
Simplicity
Choose a domain that is easy to spell and remember. Complicated or long domain names can lead to errors and confusion. This also makes maintaining a brand easier.
Top-level domain (TLD)
Select the top-level domain (.com, .net, .org, .ai, .co.uk, .me, etc.) that best suits your needs and your target audience’s. While .com is the most common, other TLDs might be more appropriate depending on your industry. For example, you might use “.org” if you’re a nonprofit.
Availability
Check the availability of your desired domain and register it through a reputable domain registrar. The sooner you do this, the better. The domain you’re considering might already be taken, so having alternatives ready can be helpful.
How to get an email domain
There are several ways to acquire an email domain:
Domain registrars
Purchase your desired domain from a domain registrar such as Namecheap, GoDaddy, or Google Domains. These platforms often provide tools to check domain availability and offer various pricing plans.
Hosting providers
Many web hosting providers also offer domain registration services, often bundled with email hosting solutions. This can be a convenient option if you need both a website and email hosting.
Email service providers
Some email services, like Proton Mail, allow you to use custom email domains with their hosting plans. This can be ideal for those focused primarily on secure email communication.
Proton Mail solutions and features
Proton Mail is the world’s largest email service that uses end-to-end encryption by default. If you’re looking for an email service to park your custom email domain, Proton is the only major provider that offers our level of security and privacy as well as essential features for businesses and professionals.
Here are some key features:
End-to-end encryption
Proton Mail uses end-to-end encryption to ensure that only you and your intended recipients can read your emails. This means your emails are secure from the moment they leave your device until they reach the recipient’s inbox.
Swiss privacy laws
Proton Mail is based in Switzerland, where some of the world’s strictest privacy laws protect your data. This ensures that your custom domain emails are not only secure but also private.
Custom domain support
Proton Mail allows you to use custom email domains with its Plus, Professional, and Visionary plans. This feature is perfect for individuals and businesses who want a personalized email address while maintaining high security and privacy standards.
Zero-access architecture
Proton Mail’s zero-access encryption architecture ensures that not even Proton Mail can access your emails. This means your custom domain emails remain confidential and inaccessible to unauthorized parties.
Open source and independently audited
Proton Mail’s code is open source and has been independently audited, providing transparency and trust in its security claims. This assurance extends to all emails sent through your custom domain.
Easy setup and management
Setting up and managing a custom email domain with Proton Mail is straightforward, with clear instructions and support available. This makes it easy for anyone, regardless of technical expertise, to benefit from secure, custom domain email addresses.
How to create an email domain with Proton
Continue reading below for steps on how both individuals and businesses can create an email with Proton Mail.
For individuals
- Register your domain: Purchase a domain from a registrar like Namecheap or GoDaddy.
- Upgrade your Proton Mail account: Ensure you have a Proton Mail Plus, Professional, or Visionary plan.
- Configure your domain: In Proton Mail’s settings, follow the instructions to link your new domain. You can follow our easy-to-follow guide on how to use a custom domain with Proton Mail.
For businesses
- Purchase a domain: Choose and register a domain that aligns with your business brand.
- Select a Proton Mail plan: Opt for a Professional or Visionary plan to support multiple users and advanced features. Learn more about Proton for Business plans.
- Domain configuration: Use Proton Mail’s detailed setup guide to configure your domain and DNS settings.
- Create multiple accounts: Set up individual email accounts for your employees under your custom domain.
- Manage user access: Use Proton Mail’s admin panel to manage permissions and security settings for your team.
The Proton Business Suite plan gives each user 500 GB of storage, 20 addresses per user, and unlimited message sending. It also provides admins the ability to monitor and maintain privileges across an entire company.
The Proton Mail apps for Android and iOS both offer multi-account support, making it easy for your employees to toggle between their different work emails. Proton Mail also offers Proton Contacts, an end-to-end encrypted address book that’s personal to each user on your team.
Additionally, Proton Calendar will help manage your schedule, business meetings, and events, including on your mobile device. You can set your time zone to make sure events align with local time, share calendars with clients or colleagues, and organize events with different colors to keep track and prioritize.
Stay secure with Proton
Whether you’re using a public domain or opting for a custom domain, it’s important to prioritize security, simplicity, and relevance to help serve your needs.
Proton Mail offers robust solutions with custom domain support, ensuring your communications remain private and secure. And that’s true no matter if you’re an individual or a small business.
Switching to Proton Mail provides your business with easy-to-implement tools for managing communications and cybersecurity while ensuring compliance with the highest data protection standards.
When you partner with Proton, you are helping build a better future where privacy is the default.
