If you’ve already picked up a domain for your business (like we discussed in our “How to Buy a Domain” guide), the next step is giving yourself a proper email address that matches – think you@yourbusiness.com, not a generic Gmail or Hotmail. Using Google Workspace makes this easy, powerful, and professional.

Here’s how to do it for your business in Elgin, Moray, or anywhere really:

1. Sign Up for Google Workspace

• Go to Google Workspace for Business.

• Choose a plan. The most basic is “Business Starter,” and you can always upgrade later.

• When prompted, enter the domain name you bought in your earlier step.

2. Prove You Own the Domain

• Google will ask you to verify the domain with a TXT record (a small piece of text) to prove you own it.

• Log into your domain provider (for example, Namecheap), go to the DNS settings, and paste that TXT record into a new DNS entry.

• Once added, go back to Google Workspace and click “Verify.”

3. Add Your Google MX Records

• After you verify the domain, you need to add MX records (Mail Exchange) so Gmail can handle your email.

• In your domain’s DNS settings, delete any existing MX records and add the Google ones: something like 1 ASPMX.L.GOOGLE.COM (you’ll get the exact values from Google)

• Wait for those records to propagate — this can take a few hours, sometimes up to 24.

4. Create Your Email Accounts

• In Google Workspace’s Admin Console, make your first email (e.g. you@yourbusiness.com).

• You can also set up aliases like sales@yourbusiness.com or info@… — these don’t count as extra “users” but help with branding

• Add extra users if you have a team.

5. (Optional) Customise How People Log In

• If you want, you can set up a custom login URL such as mail.yourbusiness.com instead of using the standard Google Workspace login

• This involves adding a special CNAME record via your DNS settings.

6. Test & Start Using Your Email

• Once everything is set up, send a test email from your new business address to make sure it works.

• Also try sending back to it from another account — check that incoming mail is working properly.

• Encourage your team (if you have one) to sign in via Gmail and familiarise themselves with the Workspace interface.

Why This is a Smart Move for Local Businesses in Moray

• More professional: An email like name@yourbusiness.com looks far more credible than a free mailbox.

• Brand trust: It strengthens your brand identity — clients in Elgin or Moray will take you more seriously.

• Scalability: As you grow, you can add more team members, group aliases, and shared calendars.

• Productivity tools: You don’t just get email — Google Workspace also gives you Docs, Drive, Calendar, and more, all tied to your domain.