In today’s business world, first impressions are often made online, and a simple email can say a lot about your professionalism. Think about it: if you received an invoice from kigaligoods@gmail.com versus billing@kigaligoods.rw, which one would you trust more?
The difference is obvious. Using a professional email address isn’t just about looking good—it’s about building trust, maintaining your reputation, and reinforcing your brand every time you send a message.
A professional email address is tied to your business’s own domain name, like yourbusiness.rw, instead of using free services such as Gmail or Yahoo. For example, sending an email from contact@yourbusiness.rw immediately signals that your business is legitimate and serious, while yourbusiness@gmail.com might make customers pause and question if you’re truly professional. Many small businesses start with free email addresses, but as they grow, switching to a professional email becomes crucial.
A Kigali-based logistics company learned this the hard way. They lost out on a major contract because the client was uncomfortable sending payments to a Gmail address. After switching to logistics@theirbusiness.rw, the trust issue was resolved instantly.
Every time you send an email using your business domain, you’re also giving your brand free advertising. It keeps your company’s name top of mind and directs people back to your website. If a customer receives a receipt from orders@kigaligrocers.rw, they’re naturally reminded of your business and might visit your website again. It’s simple, everyday brand promotion without any extra effort.
Another advantage of having a professional email setup is for an organization to create specific email addresses for different roles or departments, such as sales@, support@, or admin@. This structure keeps your communication clear, especially as your team expands. It also helps protect your business information, in case an employee leaves the organisation, contacts and emails remain with the business, ensuring continuity and protecting sensitive information.
Getting started with a professional email is simple. You just need a domain name, like yourbusiness.rw, and an email hosting service to manage your accounts. Once you’re set up, you’ll have the flexibility to create business emails as you need.
RICTA is ready to assist you in securing your .RW domain and guide you through setting up your business professional email. Reach out to us today at infodesk@ricta.org.rw or call/WhatsApp us on +250 781 151 371.
