Need a professional email on a budget? Start here.

In a game of inches, spam folders are not your friend.

Per usual, Triumph received no financial compensation from the companies for writing this article. Straight from the heart, baby.

Business—like life—is a game of inches. Sometimes the smallest things can help put your offering over the top. Many times, this secret sauce is not sexy or exciting, quite the opposite actually.

One of the best examples we see with our clients is that of professional email accounts. They sound like a snooze fest (because they are), but they can revolutionize your marketing results with minimal effort. Just give us 60 seconds to convince you why (okay maybe slightly more than 60).

If you weren’t already aware, spam folders are a necessary tool to maintain our sanity in the digital age. They keep our inboxes clear of the staggering amount of virtual trash floating around the internet—woohoo. However, the same algorithms that wipe out nuisance can also wreak havoc on your new email marketing campaign. Or, perhaps your cold email to nab a new client. Even—most dangerously—an important email to an existing client. When you’re the one doing the sending, spam folders are not your friend. Or even an aquantence. Think more Dr. Doofenshmirtz to your Perry the Platypus.

Needless to say (yet we will anyway), spam folders are to be avoided at all costs. And there is indeed a method to the madness.  As a known rule, spam folders most often target emails (and promotional-esque emails especially) from free providers such as Gmail, AOL, Outlook, and the like. It might sound mundane, but take the threat seriously. You spent hours crafting the perfect introduction email—don’t let your masterpiece be foiled by a robot.

If simply avoiding spam folders wasn’t reason enough (which we would argue that it is), business emails also carry a more professional feel. Sometimes blatant, sometimes unconscious, but tangible all the same. If a customer is deciding between you and a competitor, you want every advantage you can get—even if that advantage feels kind of pedantic. It may well be, but it’s an advantage nonetheless.

Next week, Triumph will launch an article on email marketing campaign tools. We’ll list that here once it hits the digital presses. In a campaign setting, all the risks outlined above are magnified immensely, and professional emails are no longer a suggestion—they’re a requirement. So stay tuned on that one, and we’ll help finish setting the ground work in this article.

Now that we’ve (hopefully) laid a foundation of why professional emails are worth your time, let’s quickly look at some of the most cost-efficient options.

A balanced approach: Google Workspace Email

Easy to use, cheap, and integrates right into your existing Google accounts. If you already use or are familiar with Gmail, we highly recommend giving Google Workspace a roll.

Users can also maintain up to 30 alias usernames per email account.  This sounds cool, but what the heck does it mean? Essentially, one inbox on Google Workspace Email can have up to 30 separate addresses that all funnel into the same inbox. This is invaluable in small operations where one person may hold multiple rolls (and wear many fashionable hats). Por exemplo, one employee might be in charge of their personal email, the customer support email, and an informational email. With Google Workspace, all of these addresses can merge into one happy family. No more checking 10 different inboxes—thank God.

As with most Google products, pricing is quite reasonable per month. And if you happen to have a Squarespace account, you may even quality for a free year (more on that here).

If you don’t have a Squarespace account, you still aren’t going to break the bank. Plans begin at $6 per user per month and scale up from there. For most new or small adventurers, the $6 Basic Plan (though we wish it had a better name) offers more than enough firepower. You can also upgrade at any time without losing your data, so feel free to start small and grow as you go (bonus points for an unexpected Ben Platt reference).

You can try Googling Google Workspace, or just click the link here.

For tighter margins: Namecheap

Bonus points for both name creativity and accuracy. Namecheap offer a barebones approach for those who simply want a business email that functions with a custom domain—and pretty much nothing else.

If money is super tight in the beginning, Namecheap may be a smart place to cut costs. It won’t have quite as much functionality as a Google Workspace account, but it’ll still get the job done. And even if you eventually disagree with that latter statement, you’ll still have 60 days to cancel your account before being charged.

Given the company’s insanely low monthly rates (some of which are sub $2) and the extended free trial period, Namecheap is honestly worth trying in almost any situation—even if you end up hating it. At worst, you’re probably out less than $5 total.

If you’re wanting to give Namecheap a whirl, you can get started right here.

Master the fundamentals

We know today’s article wasn’t a particularly wild one (they can’t all be Monetizing Your Photography Portfolio with Triumph), but it’s still vitally important to every new project. Email is the communications King of the day, and one of the the market’s most important growth avenues. If the majority of your emails are getting spam-foldered before they’re even read, your idea may be dead before it starts (a tragedy, truly).

Plus—let us level with you for a moment—a professional touch never hurt anyone (that we know of). For a few dollars a month, it’s well worth investing in your public image, even in things as small as an email. You never know—it just may be the difference maker.

As always, feel free to Ask Triumph with any additional questions and consider Supporting the Team.

Have an idea? Promote it with Triumph Spotlight.

All views expressed in the article are opinions of the author and should not be misconstrued as professional consulting or legal advice. Users are responsible for verifying all information before taking action, and Triumph Group LLC is not responsible for any outcomes. Pursue subjects at your own risk. Seriously, man. It’s your life.