Increase Your Online Success – Top Reasons to Have a Business E-Mail Address

Your digital presence speaks loudly to how well you are perceived. As an entrepreneur and real estate professional, having a business e-mail is part of the cost of operating your business.

Many real estate agents will place their priorities on creating a website, brochures, direct mail pieces and business cards. Then, the momentum stops when it is time to include a paid business e-mail address.

A well-thought-out business e-mail address serves you in many ways. Your business e-mail address can increase your credibility, as well as your e-mail open & response rates.  A business e-mail address also improves brand recognition, decreases unsubscribes, and more easily passes through spam filters.

(By the way, are you checking your spam filters every day? Many important e-mails can be found there from prospects as well as those of current clients.)

Who is sending the e-mail is just as important as your e-mail address.  If the other party does not have a business e-mail address either, it often goes to spam – even when they are in your contacts.

There are many free e-mail services, but here is why you may want to consider a paid version:

Creates a Professional Appearance

It takes an average of 7 seconds to make your first impression.

This is has been a widely accepted statistic for years. Whether it is 5, 6, or 7.3 seconds, this can make a significant impact to your business. Your first contact with a potential client, past client, current client or anyone you speak with, is your front line of communication. In a widely digital as well as visual online and offline world, this is your opportunity to Dress for Success.

E- Mail Is Your Calling Card

Every e-mail you send is your direct calling card.

Take a look at your current e-mail address. How well are you perceived?  Use each and every e-mail as a tool to encourage and create a positive experience. Each e-mail you send is a building block for ongoing success in your business. You often get only one shot at making a good impression. Also, remember to keep it friendly, yet formal and read through your e-mail before sending it to make sure there are no typos or incorrect grammar.

Reduces Your Risk Of Being Sent To Spam

Wondering why you have not heard from a prospect or client?

Remember to have them opt-in when sending out marketing campaigns. Ending up in spam also applies to deals that you are working on. Many e-mails –even when they are in your contacts and added as a safe sender– can get caught up in spam depending on the e-mail provider you are using.

Accelerates Your Marketing

Link Your E-Mail Domain Name Directly To Your Website

Many searches are being done online before a potential client contacts you. When they find a property that may interest them the search begins for a real estate agent.  They may find you online or through a referral. Be assured, that one of the first things they will do is check you out by putting your name into their search engine.

Creating a  professional email address using your domain name makes it easy for potential clients, referrals from other real estate agents and brokerages to look for you along with your company and your website.

By seeing your positive presence online, this also contributes  to reassuring them that you are active and legitimate. Whether you are a new or seasoned agent, your domain name and website show that you work for an established brokerage. This is the starting point towards engendering trust.

Let’s not forget the marketing aspect also. Any email you send, or any time you leave your contact information with someone, you’re also giving them an easy link to your website and social media outlets.

Tips To Make Your Business E-Mail Effective

Keep Your Business E-Mail Address Strictly For Business

Manage your workflow and create a system for managing your e-mails. Looking at all the e-mail received on a daily basis can be daunting. There are more positives than negatives to keep your business e-mail strictly for business. Set up a separate email address for personal e-mails that does not flow into your business e-mails.

Some of the positive results you can receive with a paid business e-mail provider include:

• Improved focus on your business: Fewer personal distractions and separates your business from your personal life
• Protects your business from potential security threats
• Effective with creating mailing campaigns to your specific audiences
• Easier to manage all your business contacts in one place.

Create A Business E-Mail Address With A  .Com TLD

.com is still the most well-known, top level domain that is used in search engines. If your name is already taken online, consider using a middle initial to identify yourself . You can also go with .realtor  or .real estate. These are also great domains to separate yourself from the competition.

Business E-Mail Address Examples

Here are some examples of how you can structure your professional email address.

• First Name, Last Name
• First Name, Middle Initial, Last Name
• First Name, Last Name Initial

Avoid nicknames or numbers in your business e-mail address.  Do you go by a nickname? Your nickname can be incorporated into your marketing on your website. Unless the world knows you by your nickname, we recommend you use your proper name on your real estate license.

Top Business E-Mail Providers

There are many reputable email providers. Here are a few:

• G-Suite
• Office 365
• Zoho

Keys points to remember: Keep your business e-mail address separate from your web host provider. If the server for your website goes down, with a separate business e-mail provider, your can still access your e-mails.

Having a business e-mail address also is a line of protection in case your e-mail gets hacked. It is important to keep your clients information as well as your own safe at all times. Having a business e-mail is one of your first lines of defense.

By the way, did you know that Form Simplicity plays a key role in keeping all your clients information safe and secure in one place. Form Simplicity also offers unparalleled technical support and training. Check it out today.

Written for Form Simplicity by Janice Zaltman, a Realtor, LEED AP, Marketing Coach and Writer with more than 20 years of experience in the sales, marketing and media fields.