Email in the business world
Even though social media and instant messaging have grown, email remains the number 1 channel for professional communication. Over 4 billion people use email globally.
Advantages of email
Professionalism — [email protected] builds more trust than [email protected]
Documentation — every communication is automatically saved
Reach — everyone has email, regardless of platform or device
Low cost — professional email costs €1-5/month/user
Marketing — email marketing has an average ROI of 36:1
Automation — the possibility for automatic replies and rules
Disadvantages of email
Overload — too many emails can become stressful
Spam — unwanted emails are a constant problem
Security — phishing and malware via email are real threats
Delay — it is not real-time communication like chat
Misunderstandings — without tone of voice, messages can be misunderstood
Best practices for business email
Use a professional email with your domain (not @gmail.com)
Keep the subject line clear and short
Respond within 24 hours
Use a professional signature with your name, role, and contact info
Do not send confidential information without encryption
Conclusion
A professional email with your own domain (e.g., [email protected]) is a small investment that builds great trust. It is one of the first things you should have when starting a business.