It's amazing how many businesses make the effort to have a website designed for their business and yet don't take the time to create appropriate email addresses for their business.

How many times have you seen This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it on a business card or website?  How serious do you take the business and does it make you think twice about them?  Customers don't need to know your year of birth, your nickname, or your internet provider.  Another issue to consider is having to change your email address when you change your internet provider or because your current account is overflowing with spam.

The IT world can be very daunting for any business owner, with everything from which is the best internet plan to sign up for, length of contracts, virus protection and the list keeps growing.  However, your website and email are just as crucial as your logo & slogan.  A professional email address says you're here to stay and your serious about getting your customer's business!

No matter your time frame for getting a website designed, make it your top priority to secure your domain name (www.yourbusiness.com.au) & create the email addresses for your business. Internet providers like Optus & Telstra can make it difficult to send mail via your domain because of their anti-spam software.  However, a quality web-designer or IT company will be able to advise you on how to work around or bypass these restrictions so you're up and running within a short time.

Tips for creating emails for your business:

• create at least one general email account - This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , enquiries@..., sales@..., etc
• If you can't spell it without having to think about it, don't use it! Customers will send emails based on memory. You want to make sure it arrives in your inbox, and not your competitors.
• How large are your plans for staffing? First names are great until a new staff member has the same name as one of your existing staff.  Consider using This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
• if your company name is long, consider abbreviating it or using part of it for your domain name (@yourco.com.au)
• dots, dashes, underscores....  There's a lot of debate on this, however keep it consistent!