What is Email Domain and How it Impacts Your Business?

An email domain is a part of an email address that can make a difference between successful and unsuccessful email campaigns and how your customers perceive your brand.

Did you know that the number of email users increases each year? Email marketing is in third place for content distribution, right behind websites and blogs. It’s one of the favorite channels for most marketers — email marketing is not dead. Email remains the platform with the biggest ROI at a 36:1 ratio.

And if you’re going to send emails, your email domain is the first thing people see.

To run successful email campaigns, you must understand what’s an email domain, how and where to choose one, and the difference between an email domain and a website domain.

What is an Email Domain?

People typically define an email domain as a part that comes right after the ‘@’ symbol in an email address.

Each email domain is associated with an email server, and it tells you to which email server a message should be delivered when you send it to a particular address. It also helps people identify what is mail domain when they see an email address.

Good examples of a domain would include @yahoo, @gmail, or @hotmail. These email domains are free, and people use them for personal needs.

Types of Email Domains

We’ve already answered what is email domain — let’s now learn about the different types.

Whether you’re a business owner, student, or government official, the domain you use can impact credibility and email deliverability.

The table below breaks down the different types of email domains and their uses, so you can pick the best one for your needs.

Type of Email Domain	Who uses them?	Examples
Mailbox providers	These are provided by free email services for personal use.	‣ @gmail.com ‣ @yahoo.com
Custom business domains	These domains are owned by a business for branding and professionalism.	‣ @campaignrefinery.com
ISP domains	These are provided by internet service providers (ISPs).	‣ @comcast.net ‣ @att.net
Educational email domains	Schools and universities use these domains; they’re restricted to educational institutions.	‣ @harvard.edu
Government domains	Such domains indicate government agencies.	‣ @usa.gov
Organization domains	They’re used by nonprofit organizations and charities.	‣ @redcross.org
Country-specific email domains	These indicate country-code TLDs.	‣ @company.co.uk ‣ @company.ca

Types of email domains

But what does domain mean in email messages sent by businesses?

What Is a Business Email Domain?

What does email domain mean for a business? It is an opportunity to firmly establish an identity in email marketing by using a professional email address.

You can customize your email domain and make it unique. If you want to stand out in your customers’ inbox, creating a domain that contains your company’s name will help immensely. Your readers won’t wonder about the domain email meaning when they see your company name in the email address.

For example, everyone on our team has a @campaignrefinery domain name in their email address. When we send out emails to our clients, this is one of the first things they see.

Next up, we explain what is the domain part of an email address.

What is the Domain Name in an Email Address?

what is an email domain example — What is an email domain example?

Ever wonder, in the email address what is the domain name?

An email address is structured into two main components: the local part and the domain part, separated by the “@” symbol. Below, we break down the domain meaning in email addresses.

Local Part: This is the portion before the “@” symbol. It typically identifies a specific user, mailbox, or role within the domain. It can consist of letters, numbers, and certain special characters. For instance, in “travis@campaignrefinery.com,” “travis” is the local part.
Domain Part: This is the portion after the “@” symbol, and it’s where the domain name resides. The domain name identifies the mail server that handles emails for that particular organization or entity. In the example above, “campaignrefinery.com” is the domain name.

So the next time someone asks you, what is domain name in email, you know what to say!

What is an Email Extension?

US Senators email addresses — US Senators use a “.gov” email domain

An email extension refers to the top-level domain (TLD) at the end of an email address. It indicates the type of organization or purpose associated with the email domain.

For example:

.com
.org
.edu
.gov
.net

Choosing the right extension helps establish credibility and helps with email branding, too.

What Does Domain Mean for Email Messages?

In this section, we answer a critical question: What is email domain name and why is it important?

A custom domain gives off a professional vibe. When you send emails from a domain that matches your company name, your recipients — customers or potential clients — know the email is from someone they can trust.

Imagine receiving an email from a company with a generic domain name, for example, company@gmail.com. You’d not have taken their offer seriously. Would you even open that email?

That’s why it’s important to understand what is an email address domain and its impact on business.

Business email domains don’t only benefit companies. Even solo entrepreneurs or individuals who want to be taken seriously can create a custom email and use it in different types of email campaigns.

Which brings us to our next question: What is a domain name email?

The next section will help you understand email address domain meaning better.

Email Domain Meaning

An email domain does more than just define where an email is coming from — it plays a crucial role in trust, branding, and security.

In business, a custom email domain signals professionalism and legitimacy, making recipients more likely to engage. For technical users, domains improve email deliverability, as poorly configured domains can trigger spam filters.

Even on a personal level, the right email domain can influence how seriously your message is taken. Understanding its role helps you make smarter communication choices.

We’ve covered what is domain name in email address, so let’s see why you should get a custom one for your business.

The Advantages of Custom Domain Email Marketing

Using a custom domain for your marketing emails gets you a range of benefits:

Professionalism: Using your company’s domain (@companyname.com) in email marketing immediately projects a more professional image compared to generic domains such as @gmail.com or @yahoo.com.
Credibility: Emails from a custom domain are perceived as more trustworthy by recipients, leading to higher open rates and click-through rates as customers are more confident in the sender’s legitimacy.
Email deliverability: Custom domains allow you to build a positive email sender reputation and improve your inbox placement.
Brand consistency: Maintaining a consistent brand experience across all customer touchpoints, including email, reinforces the brand experience.
Control and scalability: Owning your domain gives you complete control over your email infrastructure and allows for greater scalability as your business grows.

What Your Email Domain Says About You

You now know what is a email domain and its importance; it is a direct reflection of your credibility, professionalism, and attention to detail.

A custom domain signals authority and trust, while a free email domain may seem less professional, especially in a business context. Government, education, and nonprofit domains immediately establish legitimacy based on their strict registration requirements.

So, what is a domain in email?

It is an email address that uses a custom domain name, rather than a generic one provided by a free email service. Essentially, it’s an email address that reflects your own personal or business brand.

Top 5 Common Email Domains List

The table below contains the top email domains operated by popular mailbox providers.

Email Provider	Free Features	Paid Features
Gmail.com	‣ 15GB free storage ‣ Spam filtering ‣ Mobile apps (iOS, Android) ‣ Integration with Google services ‣ Email filtering and labels	‣ Custom business email addresses ‣ Increased storage ‣ Ad-free interface ‣ Enhanced security and admin controls in Google Workspace
Outlook.com	‣ 15GB free email storage ‣ Integration with Microsoft services (OneDrive, Calendar) ‣ Spam filtering ‣ Web and mobile access ‣ Focused inbox	‣ Ad-free Outlook.com ‣ Increased storage (Microsoft 365) ‣ Desktop Office applications ‣ Advanced security features
YahooMail.com	‣ Relatively large free storage ‣ Spam filtering ‣ Mobile apps ‣ Customizable folders	‣ Ad-free Yahoo Mail Plus ‣ Increased storage ‣ Enhanced customer support
iCloud.com	‣ Integration with Apple devices ‣ Ad-free ‣ 5GB free storage	‣ Increased storage (iCloud+) ‣ Custom email domains ‣ Enhanced privacy features
ProtonMail.com	‣ End-to-end encryption ‣ Strong privacy focus ‣ Limited free storage	‣ Increased storage ‣ Custom domains ‣ Priority support ‣ Proton VPN, Proton Drive, and Proton calendar bundled into higher-tier subscriptions

Email Domains List

Email Domain vs Website Domain

It’s helpful to understand what is a domain name for email and what is a website domain.

Email domains facilitate email delivery, whereas website domains enable access to web-based content. Their separate functions are managed through distinct DNS configurations.

The table highlights the differences between the email domain and the website domain.

Feature	Email Domain	Website Domain
What does it do?	The email domain identifies the mail server that is responsible for handling messages.	The website domain identifies the location of a specific website on the internet.
How are they used?	Email domains are used within email addresses.	Website domains are used within website URLs.
What is the main function?	Email domains direct email messages to the correct mail server.	Website domains direct web browsers to the correct web server.

Email Domain vs Website Domain

Even though there is a difference between email domain and website domain, both are essential components of online presence, each serving distinct communication and access functions.

5 Benefits of Using a Custom Email Domain

Let’s begin by understanding custom email domain meaning — it means you use your own chosen domain name instead of a generic email provider’s domain for your email addresses.

With a business email domain, you will look more professional and trustworthy. But there are many more benefits related to having a professional domain part of an email — let’s explore the top 5.

1. Drive Sales

When your recipients are able to identify your custom domain easily, your open rates will increase. Therefore, your click rates will improve, and in turn, your email lead generation efforts will bear fruit.

With more leads, you have more chances to schedule sales calls where you can turn them into paying customers.

2. More Website Traffic

Not every email you send will be a sales email — sometimes, your email content is educational.

For example, you can write a new blog that your audience will benefit from. Sharing key takeaways in your email with the link to the blog will drive more traffic to your website.

The best part?

People who click to read the blog are interested in finding out more about what you have to say. This further reflects on the bounce rate of the landing page, time spent on the page, and other factors that contribute to your SEO.

If you were to send such emails from a generic domain, your readers would have no idea who targets them with blogs, and they’d perceive such emails as spam. If readers see a message with a custom domain with the name of your company, it increases the chances that they will open the email and read the blog.

3. Credibility

Having a custom email domain shows your customers that you are a trustworthy organization or business. It paints a positive picture of your brand and helps you improve your sender reputation, which is crucial if you want to run successful marketing campaigns that bring profit.

4. Security and Control

With a custom email domain, you get more control over your entire email infrastructure.

A custom domain allows you to implement advanced security measures, including:

Two-factor authentication,
Email encryption,
Anti-phishing tools.

For example, Campaign Refinery clients are obligated to authenticate their domains. It is impossible to send emails through our platform with a generic domain. We’ve made this decision because a custom domain resolves crucial problems related to email deliverability, sender reputation, and overall campaign success.

5. Consistency

If you have multiple team members who are sending emails to your clients, having a custom domain helps with consistency.

The readers can feel confused if they receive messages from people with different domain names in their email addresses.

How to Choose an Email Domain

Follow these guidelines when choosing a domain:

Use your business domain: There is no need to use different domain for email marketing; if you have a website, use the same domain for email. Avoid free email providers like Gmail, Yahoo, or Outlook for business emails.
Keep it short and memorable: Choose a domain that is easy to spell and remember. Avoid hyphens and numbers that can confuse users.
Choose a reputable TLD: The “.com” TLD is the most recognized and trusted. You can opt for .net, .co, or .io if .com is unavailable. Avoid unusual TLDs such as .xyz or .biz as they are often associated with spam.
Ensure domain reputation for deliverability: If buying a second-hand domain, check its history using MXToolBox. Avoid domains with a history of spam.
Adhere to branding consistency: Ensure your domain is available for website and email use. Check social media availability to keep branding consistent.
Secure variations and prevent spoofing: Buy multiple variations to prevent impersonation such as yourbusiness.com and yourbusiness.net. Set up email authentication to prevent email spoofing.

How to Set Up an Email Domain?

Setting up an email domain isn’t complicated, but for someone who’s doing it for the first time, an abundance of options can be overwhelming. Experienced or not, setting up a unique domain is the first step you must take before you contact potential clients.

Remember, only with a custom email domain will you get access to the best email deliverability service on the market.

Create Custom Email Domains with Google Workspace or Office 365

Google Workspace and Office 365 are popular solutions for setting up email domains. They come from the two most reputable companies in the world. Email domain is only one of the things you get. For the price of the product, you also get collaboration tools, file storage, and productivity suites.

Compare the features below to determine which solution to use:

Aspect	Google Workspace	Office 365
Email domain format	Customizable	Customizable
Email hosting	Included	Included
Collaboration Tools	Google Docs, Sheets, Slides, Google Meet, and other Google tools.	Microsoft Work, Excel, PowerPoint, OneDrive, Teams, Sharepoint and other Office 365 tools.
File Storage	Google Drive	OneDrive
Video Conferencing	Google Meet	Microsoft Teams
Cost (different tiers)	‣ Business Starter: $6 USD ‣ Business Standard: $12 USD ‣ Business Plus: $18 USD ‣ Enterprise: Contact for price	‣ Exchange Online (Plan 1): $4 USD ‣ Exchange Online (Plan 2): $8 USD ‣ Microsoft 365 Business Standard: $12.50 USD

Set up an email domain with Google Workspace or Office 365

Follow Google’s or Microsoft’s guides to set up your Google Workspace or Office 365 and get your custom email domain.

Points to Consider When Using an Email Domain

Working with your own email domain means you need to think about many different things, like how to set it up correctly and how to keep it working well over time. To get the most out of it and avoid any problems, it’s important to understand and remember certain facts.

Review these ten points before you get yourself a new email domain:

Cost Considerations: Registering a custom email domain requires an annual fee; email hosting services also incur costs based on the provider and features.
Domain Availability: Your desired domain name might already be taken, so be prepared to explore alternative domain names or TLDs, like .net, .org, or .biz.
Professional Branding: Utilizing a custom email domain reinforces your brand identity in every email communication.
Security Measures: Implement strong passwords and 2FA for email accounts. Implement SPF, DKIM, and DMARC using DNS email records to prevent email spoofing and improve deliverability.
Setup Challenges: Setting up a custom email domain requires technical knowledge of DNS records; you may need to configure email clients or webmail interfaces.
Email Deliverability: Properly configured DNS records are crucial for ensuring your emails reach their intended recipients, so check domain reputation periodically.
Email Hosting Options: Explore different email hosting providers, considering factors like storage space, features, and customer support.
Data Backup and Recovery: Ensure your email hosting provider offers reliable data backup and recovery options, and regularly back up important emails to prevent data loss.
Scalability: Choose an email hosting provider that can accommodate your future growth and increasing email needs. A private email server may not be the best option.
Privacy: Consider domain privacy services to hide your personal information from public WHOIS records, and be aware of your email provider’s privacy policy.

The Next Step: Send Newsletters and Plan Your Next Email Campaign

Once you have your email domain, you can start sending out newsletters to your clients and working on your next email campaign.

Successful email campaigns are hard to create as they require good communication skills, data analytics skills, and an understanding of automation. Open and click-through rates show you the success of your campaign.

But these are only two out of the 16 email campaign metrics you need to track to ensure maximum email performance for your campaign.

Don’t let the excitement of starting a new email campaign overwhelm you.

Make sure you haven’t made any of these five common mistakes when setting up an email domain:

Using nicknames and numbers in the username: While having a professional email domain is essential, so is having a username. Keep the username simple, with no added numbers.
Switching the email domain often: Sometimes, businesses change their brand identity. Do it too often, and your clients will start questioning the legitimacy of your company.
Using a long domain name: A professional domain name is the name of your company. However, if the name is too long, you can consider using abbreviations.
Using company emails for personal purposes: Although logical, not everyone may adhere to the rules. Using company emails for personal purposes may seem harmless at first, but you never know who will get a hold of your address or what information will be shared.
Thinking you don’t need a custom domain? For some, purchasing a custom email domain may seem like an unnecessary expense. You can use a regular extension, but it will always look unprofessional.

Switching from a generic to a business email domain isn’t enough to run campaigns successfully, but it’s a good start.

Make the Most Out of Your Email Domain Through Campaign Refinery

Campaign Refinery is designed for marketers and business owners who want to make the most of their email marketing efforts.

What Separates Campaign Refinery From Competition?

The number one reason email marketers across the world choose Campaign Refinery is email deliverability — we’re the best at inboxing and it will stay that way for a long time.

Thanks to our commitment to best practices and advanced email infrastructure, top-tier senders can unlock the true power of email marketing.

Join Campaign Refinery, and you get a user-friendly platform with unique features:

Automatic List Cleaning: Our automated list cleaner nukes all invalid email addresses from your list.
Engagement Gamification: Your subscribers get rewarded when they open and click emails, boosting your email engagement metrics.
Evergreen Flash Sales: Create and deploy time-sensitive offers to increase engagement or revenue from your audience.
Mandatory domain authentication: All our customers authenticate their domains to protect our platform’s sender reputation.
Credit system: We motivate clients to create smaller segmented lists to see better results.

Campaign Refinery is a great place to drive sales and see your business growth accelerate. Apply here to explore our exclusive services and dramatically improve your email performance!

Written by Petar Mitrovic

Updated by Pradeep Menon

FAQ

What’s an Email Domain?

An email domain is the portion of an email address that follows the “@” symbol, identifying the mail server responsible for handling those emails.

What is Company Domain Email?

A company domain email utilizes a company’s custom domain name in email addresses, reinforcing brand identity and professionalism.