Still using [email protected] for your freelance work or business? It’s common — but it doesn’t scale, and it doesn’t look professional.
Here’s how to move to [email protected] — without losing emails or confusing clients.
Why bother?
A branded email address:
- Looks credible when emailing clients or prospects
- Builds trust (especially if you're invoicing)
- Gives you more control and security
- Futureproofs your business setup
It’s one of the simplest things you can do to look more established — even as a solo operator.
What you’ll need
- A domain name you own (e.g.
yourname.co.uk) - A professional email host (we recommend Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace)
- Access to your DNS settings (usually via your domain registrar or Cloudflare)
Step-by-step: The clean switch
1. Sign up for a proper email platform
- Microsoft 365 Business Basic or Google Workspace Starter are both reliable
- Avoid free email hosting bundled with websites — they’re rarely secure or reliable
2. Set up your inbox and test it
Once you've signed up:
- Create your new inbox (e.g.
[email protected]) - Log in and test sending/receiving internally
3. Update your DNS records
This part routes email for your domain to the new inbox.
You’ll need to:
- Add MX records (for delivery)
- Add SPF, DKIM, and DMARC records (for trust and deliverability)
DNS changes can take up to 24 hours, so plan the timing carefully.
4. Forward Gmail temporarily (optional)
If you’re mid-project, set Gmail to forward to your new inbox:
- Go to Gmail settings → “Forwarding & POP/IMAP” → add your new address
- You can also configure your new inbox to send as your old Gmail, during transition
5. Tell your contacts (gently)
A quick signature note like:
“Note: My new email is [email protected]”
keeps things smooth.
Update your email in:
- LinkedIn / social bios
- Website contact forms
- Invoicing tools
Want help migrating cleanly?
Domain Forge can set up your domain and branded inbox with no downtime — including proper DNS, SPF, and DMARC.