How to set up a professional email address

Setting up a professional email address is pivotal for any business to succeed. It conveys a sense of professionalism and also establishes your brand's identity in the digital world. Organizations like Microsoft and Google have made it easier with just a few clicks.

When selecting a platform, carefully evaluate your organization’s specific requirements. For instance, prioritize Microsoft 365 for its superior Security and Compliance capabilities if security is a top concern. Additionally, consider the integration with existing applications, user proficiency with the platform, and pricing factors.

In this discussion, I’ll guide you through the process of establishing your business email address on various platforms.

Firstly, let us talk about M365.

Microsoft 365 is a productivity platform designed to help your organization maintain peak efficiency. With their productivity apps like Outlook, Teams, and Office apps and cloud solutions like OneDrive and SharePoint, they help you manage your workflow.

As an admin with Microsoft 365, you gain access to a diverse array of tools and the ability to tailor your organization’s setup to your specific needs.

If you require Office applications without the need for desktop versions, Microsoft 365 Business Basics is the ideal choice. It provides access to web-based versions of Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint

If you are a small business organization the Business plans would get you started but if your organization is more than 300 persons, you should consider the Enterprise plans.

Microsoft 365 offers you a free trial for 30 days. It is enough for you to try out the product and see if it is what you want. You can simply sign up for a free trial of the business plans by going to their product page. I have highlighted the steps of creating a professional email address with Microsoft 365 below.

1. Visit the product page or visit this link to compare office365 for business products and choose a plan that suits your needs. https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/business/compare-all-microsoft-365-business-products-j?activetab=tab%3Aprimaryr2
2. Click on the buy now or sign up for a 30-day free trial.
3. Provide the email address needed to be used and complete the purchase process. You will be asked to add credit card details. If you are signing up for a free trial you won't be charged immediately until after 30 days. You can cancel before then to avoid any charge since it is automatic.
4. A ".onmicrosoft.com" account will be created using the company information provided. For example, if you use "my business empire" as your company name, it is most likely that your initial domain will be "mybusinessempire.onmicrosoft.com". The login username would be a combination of your first and last name plus your initial domain e.g. [email protected] and the password is the one you created during the purchase.
5. Once you successfully log in, you can add your custom domain by going to Settings>Domain>add a domain or click on the option "Go to Setup." If you don't have a custom domain, there is an option to buy directly from the portal which is connected automatically to your tenant. This means that Microsoft manages the domain directly for you. However, if you already have a domain, you will be given some records to publish on your domain registrar's cPanel. The record includes an MX record if you want Microsoft to be your email host. This means exchange online protection (EOP) filters your incoming emails but if you choose to use your current email provider you can connect just with the TXT. Other records that you would need to update are the CNAME record, DMARC and DKIM. The CNAME record Autodiscover, is to help set up your account in Outlook without manually adding the server settings. As for DKIM, it is like a digital certificate that signs your email. It authenticates your email making it look legit. It helps detect forged sender's addresses in an email. For the DMARC, it helps prevent spoofing.

?Once the records are verified, you can make the domain the default after the domain has been added successfully. Next is to start creating your users and assigning licenses to them.

In summary, creating a professional email address is not much of a difficult task. Simply following the steps above would help you with that.

You can send us a message if you need help choosing the right plan for your organization and setting up your business account. We offer IT solutions ranging from PCS and laptop accessories sales to business email set up and office migrations. We also do CCTV installations to offer adequate security to your home and organization. Visit our page @blazonglobe to learn more.