Get your own domain, Gmail isn't your brand.

There seems to be a weird phenomenon that keeps appearing in my inbox lately.
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That is, emails from suppliers trying to sell me things like web and SEO services, using a gmail address.

Being in the business of branding, I find this really peculiar. I mean, if you can’t afford a domain, what does that say about your business.

Heck, what does that say about your brand?

Risky business?

For example, see the typical (altered to protect the innocent) email below:

”Hi there, my name is Geoff and I run Gold Star Services, we deliver an integrated portfolio of solutions and services reflecting a broad range of technology and business oriented products, we develop tailored software to meet your business needs”.

Ok, I won’t lie, phrases such as ‘integrated portfolio’ and ‘business orientated products’ mean that I’ve already drifted off, but, let’s just pretend that Geoff has now raised my interest and that I’m now salivating at the thought of getting some ‘tailored software' to meet my business needs’.

Stranger things have happened. 🙂

So I see where the email has come from and it reads: ‘aluh_89dsp@gmail.com’

Huh?

Surely I should be seeing something akin to: geoff@goldstarservices.com?

I mean, that’s what he said his business is called, right? So why the free, awkward and confusing Gmail address?

Hmmmm....

So, I instantly mark as spam and move on with my day.

I mean, who wouldn’t?

So let's consider what’s just taken place.

In one word: Perception.

Perception is the way in which something is regarded, understood, or interpreted.

By using a free Gmail address in which to pimp your business, to me, feels like you could be a massive risk.
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Even if you are just starting out and need to keep costs down, at least choose a free address that contains some semblance of your business name in it.

So now I can't be sure you are who you say you are and you haven't validated yourself by showing any kind of commitment to be real or truthful.

And now you're going straight to my spam folder, because just like real relationships, customers respect brands that are authentically themselves.