Walk me through setting up a custom email address
September 22, 2014 3:19 PM Subscribe
When we get married next year, my fiancee wants a new email address to match her "new" full name. The Gmail version of firstname.lastname@gmail.com is taken and she's bummed out. I had the thought that it might be just as good to have firstname@lastname.com, and then she can just forward it to her current gmail address.
How would I go about getting this setup? The parameters are pretty much that she could always have this email address, that she could have it forwarded to gmail and that she could respond via her gmail using this address when needed.
How would I go about getting this setup? The parameters are pretty much that she could always have this email address, that she could have it forwarded to gmail and that she could respond via her gmail using this address when needed.
If firstname.lastname@gmail.com is taken, then it's almost certain lastname.com is taken. For example, my surname is shared by a few thousand people worldwide, but lastname.com, lastname.co.uk, lastname.org and lastname.org.uk were all gone by the late 90s.
posted by ambrosen at 3:25 PM on September 22, 2014 [3 favorites]
posted by ambrosen at 3:25 PM on September 22, 2014 [3 favorites]
You would have to register lastname.com and pay for a hosting provider to host a mailserver at that address. Getting the mail to gmail would be the easy part; you can tell gmail to check other mailboxes using POP3 or IMAP.
My grandparents registered their own lastname.net more than a decade ago and still use addresses on it; if you're willing to deal with the expense and hassle of setting up hosting, it's entirely feasible. Registering firstname.middleinitial.lastname@gmail.com or firstinitiallastname@gmail.com strikes me as the better option, though.
posted by fifthrider at 3:26 PM on September 22, 2014 [1 favorite]
My grandparents registered their own lastname.net more than a decade ago and still use addresses on it; if you're willing to deal with the expense and hassle of setting up hosting, it's entirely feasible. Registering firstname.middleinitial.lastname@gmail.com or firstinitiallastname@gmail.com strikes me as the better option, though.
posted by fifthrider at 3:26 PM on September 22, 2014 [1 favorite]
Which is to say that unless the owner of lastname.com is amenable to selling you an email address with them, you'll be out of luck.
posted by ambrosen at 3:27 PM on September 22, 2014
posted by ambrosen at 3:27 PM on September 22, 2014
Response by poster: Should've clarified: all the decent permutations of names, initials, etc. were taken.
posted by rbf1138 at 3:29 PM on September 22, 2014
posted by rbf1138 at 3:29 PM on September 22, 2014
Depending on your last name, you might be able to get something along the lines of @lastna.me, although these sort of domains can be difficult to convey in casual conversations.
posted by a box and a stick and a string and a bear at 3:30 PM on September 22, 2014
posted by a box and a stick and a string and a bear at 3:30 PM on September 22, 2014
I would ask her about this first. I think it's going to be more hassle than it's worth, in part because people are expecting to see a gmail address.
I would go for one of the variants fifthrider and Confess, Fletch have suggested. Or firstinitial.middleinitial.lastname@gmail.com, etc.
posted by crazy with stars at 3:31 PM on September 22, 2014
I would go for one of the variants fifthrider and Confess, Fletch have suggested. Or firstinitial.middleinitial.lastname@gmail.com, etc.
posted by crazy with stars at 3:31 PM on September 22, 2014
There's also yahoo, or outlook. She can also get those forwarded to her current address.
posted by bleep at 3:32 PM on September 22, 2014
posted by bleep at 3:32 PM on September 22, 2014
If you do want to do firstname@lastname.com, you first need to find out if lastname.com is even available. You can search for that via most domain name registrars. If it is available, then buy it. Often, they will be happy to set you up an email service (for an additional charge, of course).
If the domain is just not available, I will second outlook and other providers as an option.
posted by Michele in California at 3:35 PM on September 22, 2014
If the domain is just not available, I will second outlook and other providers as an option.
posted by Michele in California at 3:35 PM on September 22, 2014
Throw a number in there. There's more than one way to skin a cat, so to speak.
posted by St. Alia of the Bunnies at 3:39 PM on September 22, 2014
posted by St. Alia of the Bunnies at 3:39 PM on September 22, 2014
in part because people are expecting to see a gmail address.
I don't think that's particularly true. There are lots of other very common email domains people have. I've had a custom email address on my own domain since the late 90s and haven't experienced any problems with people expecting it to be a gmail (or similar). I will say, one thing I have had a problem with is that my domain is a .org, and on occasion people assume it's a .com (which, if I'd been thinking ahead, I probably could have snagged back then, but now it's taken). Also definitely be careful of stuff that's hard to spell or sounds like something else. Think about explaining it over the phone to a customer service rep on the other side of the world with a marginal connection.
As others have stated, your biggest challenge in 2014 will probably be finding a domain that's not already taken.
posted by primethyme at 3:39 PM on September 22, 2014
I don't think that's particularly true. There are lots of other very common email domains people have. I've had a custom email address on my own domain since the late 90s and haven't experienced any problems with people expecting it to be a gmail (or similar). I will say, one thing I have had a problem with is that my domain is a .org, and on occasion people assume it's a .com (which, if I'd been thinking ahead, I probably could have snagged back then, but now it's taken). Also definitely be careful of stuff that's hard to spell or sounds like something else. Think about explaining it over the phone to a customer service rep on the other side of the world with a marginal connection.
As others have stated, your biggest challenge in 2014 will probably be finding a domain that's not already taken.
posted by primethyme at 3:39 PM on September 22, 2014
Incidentally, .com addresses tend to be a lot more expensive than ones with other top-level domains. I have an exceedingly rare last name, and GoDaddy wants more than two thousand bucks for my lastname.com. If you really want to go the registration-and-hosting route, you should definitely consider .net, .us, and other more exotic variants. (Including the domain hack option that a box and a stick and a string and a bear mentioned.) With the recent expansion in generic TLDs, it's entirely possible that there might be something out there.
posted by fifthrider at 3:42 PM on September 22, 2014
posted by fifthrider at 3:42 PM on September 22, 2014
Response by poster: It seems that, of course, the domain is taken. If the owner of the domain were to allow me to buy or just outright use the email address I'm looking for, would I be at his mercy if he sold or shuttered the domain in the future?
posted by rbf1138 at 3:43 PM on September 22, 2014
posted by rbf1138 at 3:43 PM on September 22, 2014
Step One: Look up your lastname.com and see if it is available.
posted by pibeandres at 3:43 PM on September 22, 2014
posted by pibeandres at 3:43 PM on September 22, 2014
If he lets you buy it, it is yours. Done. If he lets you use it somehow, yeah, you are still at his mercy.
posted by Michele in California at 3:46 PM on September 22, 2014
posted by Michele in California at 3:46 PM on September 22, 2014
If the owner of the domain were to allow me to buy or just outright use the email address I'm looking for, would I be at his mercy if he sold or shuttered the domain in the future?
Yes, you would be screwed.
posted by pibeandres at 3:48 PM on September 22, 2014
Yes, you would be screwed.
posted by pibeandres at 3:48 PM on September 22, 2014
FYI, this is what I've done for years. I picked up firstnamelastname.com almost 15 years ago, and it has remained my go-to personal email address for the entire time.
Pros:
1. Control. I know that no matter what backend email service I use, my front facing email will remain the same.
2. Professionalism. For outside appearances, using an email with an actual domain lends some credibility.
3. Multiple email addresses. If you do pick out a domain, you can have variations. Junk@firstlast, bills@firstlast, etc. Depending on how you do signups and the like, that can be helpful.
Cons:
1. Cost. Owning a domain has an annual cost, hosting has a monthly cost. You can do name@firstlast.com without hosting (using Gmail), that's what I've done for a few years.
2. Complications. Any snags in the system of a technical nature are more difficult to troubleshoot. Once it is set up correctly the first time, generally clear sailing, but issues do come up.
3. Maintenance. Make sure you keep the domain registered and those bills paid.
From your response, I would never ever ever trust your email under someone else's domain (not counting businesses like Google, Yahoo, Microsoft). The reality is you won't get lastname.com, at least not for any price you would be willing to pay.
If you're 100% certain there isn't a feasible Gmail name available, I would look at other services like Outlook.com. Since they aren't hotmail.com anymore, the stigma of that is long gone.
Otherwise, go to the site where you looked up lastname.com. Run through some combinations you like. Heck, you can try firstnamelastname.com for her? Unlikely its available, but try it.
posted by shinynewnick at 3:55 PM on September 22, 2014 [3 favorites]
Pros:
1. Control. I know that no matter what backend email service I use, my front facing email will remain the same.
2. Professionalism. For outside appearances, using an email with an actual domain lends some credibility.
3. Multiple email addresses. If you do pick out a domain, you can have variations. Junk@firstlast, bills@firstlast, etc. Depending on how you do signups and the like, that can be helpful.
Cons:
1. Cost. Owning a domain has an annual cost, hosting has a monthly cost. You can do name@firstlast.com without hosting (using Gmail), that's what I've done for a few years.
2. Complications. Any snags in the system of a technical nature are more difficult to troubleshoot. Once it is set up correctly the first time, generally clear sailing, but issues do come up.
3. Maintenance. Make sure you keep the domain registered and those bills paid.
From your response, I would never ever ever trust your email under someone else's domain (not counting businesses like Google, Yahoo, Microsoft). The reality is you won't get lastname.com, at least not for any price you would be willing to pay.
If you're 100% certain there isn't a feasible Gmail name available, I would look at other services like Outlook.com. Since they aren't hotmail.com anymore, the stigma of that is long gone.
Otherwise, go to the site where you looked up lastname.com. Run through some combinations you like. Heck, you can try firstnamelastname.com for her? Unlikely its available, but try it.
posted by shinynewnick at 3:55 PM on September 22, 2014 [3 favorites]
My main domain is firstnamelastname.com. My email is firstname@firstnamelastname.com. If this sounds like something that might work, see if firstnamelastname.com is available to register.
Alternatively, try: lastnamemail.com. lastnameweb.com. lastnameonline.com. thelastnames.com.
posted by The Deej at 3:58 PM on September 22, 2014 [1 favorite]
Alternatively, try: lastnamemail.com. lastnameweb.com. lastnameonline.com. thelastnames.com.
posted by The Deej at 3:58 PM on September 22, 2014 [1 favorite]
Response by poster: Ok, so both her and my firstnamelastname.com is available for something like $11 a year. Here's where I need the help. What're my next steps to get this going? I buy the domains, then how do I get the email setup? I need hosting? I don't know how that works :(
posted by rbf1138 at 4:04 PM on September 22, 2014
posted by rbf1138 at 4:04 PM on September 22, 2014
Depending on who you buy them from, they may be happy to sell you a domain based email service. Try uploading them both to your cart and seeing if they come back with "Would you ALSO be interested in..."
I had this once, a long time ago. I can't explain the technical set-up. But a lot of domain name registrars will also be happy to set this up for you.
Or you can talk to shinynewnick about how to forward email using the domain, which should not require hosting:
Cost. Owning a domain has an annual cost, hosting has a monthly cost. You can do name@firstlast.com without hosting (using Gmail), that's what I've done for a few years.
posted by Michele in California at 4:09 PM on September 22, 2014
I had this once, a long time ago. I can't explain the technical set-up. But a lot of domain name registrars will also be happy to set this up for you.
Or you can talk to shinynewnick about how to forward email using the domain, which should not require hosting:
Cost. Owning a domain has an annual cost, hosting has a monthly cost. You can do name@firstlast.com without hosting (using Gmail), that's what I've done for a few years.
posted by Michele in California at 4:09 PM on September 22, 2014
Response by poster: Ok, so on Hover I've figured out that it'll be $14 a year for the domain and then $5 for 1 Forward, which I assume means I can forward an email address to something like my gmail account.
posted by rbf1138 at 4:12 PM on September 22, 2014
posted by rbf1138 at 4:12 PM on September 22, 2014
I have a custom email domain that I run through Google Apps for Your Domain (I got it back when the service was free for small groups). Would I do it again? No I would not.
1. People are expecting a gmail (or yahoo or outlook) address. I almost always have to repeat my email address multiple times. It doesn't help that I picked a domain that is not very easy to parse when it is spoken (I was focused on easy to remember and spell, I did not think about saying the address to people).
2. I'm currently grandfathered into a free account, but if Google changes that down the road, I am screwed.
3. You don't really gain anything. About the only thing that the admin functions have been good for was being able to easily reset my wife and daughter's passwords when they forgot them.
posted by Rock Steady at 4:14 PM on September 22, 2014
1. People are expecting a gmail (or yahoo or outlook) address. I almost always have to repeat my email address multiple times. It doesn't help that I picked a domain that is not very easy to parse when it is spoken (I was focused on easy to remember and spell, I did not think about saying the address to people).
2. I'm currently grandfathered into a free account, but if Google changes that down the road, I am screwed.
3. You don't really gain anything. About the only thing that the admin functions have been good for was being able to easily reset my wife and daughter's passwords when they forgot them.
posted by Rock Steady at 4:14 PM on September 22, 2014
I'll give you the rundown on setting up your own domain through gmail. And actually, I just realized that Google Apps (which is required) no longer has a free option. Luckily, it is only $5 per month per user.
The upside to doing it this way is integration. You'll login directly to your new google account, it won't be forwarding. You'll also have 30 GB of email storage space, which is great. I don't know how much space you'll have with the domain purchase only on Hover, but it will be considerably less.
The downside again is cost. If you purchase annually, it is $50 a year to do one Google Apps account with your new domain. Plus $14, so you're looking at between $65-75 annually for your email. The bulk of that cost covers your email storage space, if that matters to you.
Overall, this boils down to how much an email address matters to you and your partner. If you want to go down that route, I'll happy help you through that process.
Also, Google has started offering their own service to purchase domains. If you want to make things super easy, I'd give that a shot as well.
posted by shinynewnick at 4:18 PM on September 22, 2014
The upside to doing it this way is integration. You'll login directly to your new google account, it won't be forwarding. You'll also have 30 GB of email storage space, which is great. I don't know how much space you'll have with the domain purchase only on Hover, but it will be considerably less.
The downside again is cost. If you purchase annually, it is $50 a year to do one Google Apps account with your new domain. Plus $14, so you're looking at between $65-75 annually for your email. The bulk of that cost covers your email storage space, if that matters to you.
Overall, this boils down to how much an email address matters to you and your partner. If you want to go down that route, I'll happy help you through that process.
Also, Google has started offering their own service to purchase domains. If you want to make things super easy, I'd give that a shot as well.
posted by shinynewnick at 4:18 PM on September 22, 2014
Response by poster: Thank you all for your help! I am now the owner of both my own and my fiancee's firstname@firstnamelastname.com all for a grand total of $35 a year! I used Hover and it couldn't have been easier.
I'm still curious about shinynewnick's suggestion primarily because I know with a Google Apps account I can once again have push gmail on my iphone.
posted by rbf1138 at 4:24 PM on September 22, 2014 [1 favorite]
I'm still curious about shinynewnick's suggestion primarily because I know with a Google Apps account I can once again have push gmail on my iphone.
posted by rbf1138 at 4:24 PM on September 22, 2014 [1 favorite]
Another option is to use Fastmail. They have many different domain names, making it more likely that you can get a particular username if you're flexible on the domain name. I have used Fastmail for years and am happy with it.
posted by jkent at 4:29 PM on September 22, 2014
posted by jkent at 4:29 PM on September 22, 2014
Response by poster: Ok so first hitch already is, how do I send an email from my new firstname@firstnamelast.com address?
posted by rbf1138 at 4:35 PM on September 22, 2014
posted by rbf1138 at 4:35 PM on September 22, 2014
It's right on the website you just gave money to.
posted by COD at 4:39 PM on September 22, 2014 [1 favorite]
posted by COD at 4:39 PM on September 22, 2014 [1 favorite]
If you decide to go ahead with the Google Apps route, here's a basic rundown of integrating through Hover. Happy to help out if you have any questions.
posted by shinynewnick at 5:01 AM on September 23, 2014
posted by shinynewnick at 5:01 AM on September 23, 2014
how do I send an email from my new firstname@firstnamelast.com address?
You can set up gmail to Send mail from a different address or alias.
posted by soelo at 7:48 AM on September 23, 2014 [1 favorite]
You can set up gmail to Send mail from a different address or alias.
posted by soelo at 7:48 AM on September 23, 2014 [1 favorite]
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posted by Confess, Fletch at 3:23 PM on September 22, 2014 [1 favorite]