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Updated: 2 hours ago
Email hosting is a service that stores and manages your email messages on a dedicated server. When you buy a domain name for your online business, email hosting services can provide a custom business email address that matches your domain name (like yourname@yourbusiness.com).
Unlike free email services, email hosting provides better security, storage and professionalism for your business communications.
Whether you're launching a startup or growing an established company, understanding email hosting helps you choose the right solution for your needs. This guide covers everything from the basics to getting started with your own professional email address.
TL;DR: what is email hosting?
Short on time? Here's what you'll find in this article:
Topic | Key takeaway |
Definition | A service that stores and delivers your emails using custom domain addresses |
Main benefits | Professional appearance, better security, increased storage, custom features |
Common challenges | Setup complexity, ongoing costs, technical maintenance |
Getting started | Choose a provider, connect your domain, create email accounts |
Get your business email up and running fast. Wix provides built-in security, plenty of storage and real-time tools to help you stay on top of your work. Everything’s backed by 24/7 support so you can focus on growing your business.
What is email hosting?
Email hosting is a specialized service that runs and maintains email servers for your domain. When you send or receive an email, these servers handle the storage, delivery and security of your messages.
Here's how it works: You own a domain name (like mybusiness.com) and your email hosting provider creates mailboxes using that domain. Instead of relying on generic addresses from Gmail or Yahoo, you get professional addresses that reinforce your brand identity.
The hosting provider manages the technical infrastructure: servers, spam filters, security protocols and backups. You access your email through webmail, desktop clients or mobile apps.
Most providers support standard email protocols like IMAP, POP3 and SMTP, which means your email works across different devices and platforms.
Email hosting differs from web hosting, though many companies offer both services. Web hosting stores your website files, while email hosting specifically handles your email communications.
Some businesses choose to host their website and email with different providers, while others prefer an all-in-one solution for convenience.
Learn more: does Wix provide email hosting?
Benefits of email hosting
Professional credibility
A custom email address builds trust with clients and partners. When someone receives an email from contact@yourbusiness.com instead of yourbusiness123@gmail.com, it signals that you're serious about your work. First impressions matter, and professional email addresses create instant credibility.
You may also be interested in business email address examples.
Enhanced security
Business email hosting typically includes advanced security features like encryption, spam filtering and virus scanning. These protections keep your sensitive information safe from cyber threats. Many providers also offer two-factor authentication and regular security updates to protect against evolving risks.
Learn more: what is email security?
Reliable storage and backup
Email hosting services provide substantial storage space for your messages and attachments. Automatic backups mean you won't lose important communications if something goes wrong. Most providers offer recovery options if you accidentally delete critical emails.
Custom features and control
You can create multiple email accounts for different team members or departments (sales@yourbusiness.com, support@yourbusiness.com). Admin controls let you manage permissions, set up email forwarding and create distribution lists. You're in charge of your email infrastructure.
Better deliverability
Emails sent from professional hosting services are less likely to end up in spam folders. Providers maintain good sender reputations and proper email authentication, which helps your messages reach their intended recipients.
Learn more: how does email work on Wix?
Common challenges of email hosting
Technical setup requirements
Configuring email hosting involves connecting your domain, updating DNS records and setting up email clients. The process can feel overwhelming if you're not technically inclined. However, most modern providers offer step-by-step guides and support to help you through the initial setup.
Learn more: what is DNS?
Ongoing costs
Unlike free email services, professional email hosting requires a monthly or annual subscription. Prices vary based on storage capacity, number of accounts and features. Budget for these recurring expenses as part of your business operations.
Maintenance and updates
You'll need to manage your email accounts, monitor storage limits and occasionally update settings. Some providers handle server maintenance automatically, but you're still responsible for user management and security practices like password updates.
Migration complexity
Moving from a free email service to professional hosting means transferring existing emails, contacts and settings. The migration process takes time and planning. You'll want to ensure nothing gets lost during the transition and that your team experiences minimal disruption.
Learning curve
New admin panels, different interfaces and additional features mean you'll spend time learning the system. Training team members on the new email platform adds to the initial time investment. Most people adapt quickly, but expect a brief adjustment period.
Explore how to get a business email for free.
Examples of email hosting
Email hosting comes in several forms, each suited to different needs and technical skill levels:
Shared email hosting
Multiple users share server resources, making this the most affordable option. Your email accounts sit on the same server as other businesses. This works well for small businesses with modest email needs and limited budgets.
Dedicated email hosting
You get an entire server devoted to your email. This option provides maximum control, performance and security. Large organizations with high email volumes or strict security requirements often choose dedicated hosting.
Cloud-based email hosting
Your email lives on cloud servers accessible from anywhere. Services like Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace fall into this category. Cloud hosting offers flexibility, automatic updates and collaboration tools alongside email.
Discover more about cloud hosting vs shared hosting.
Integrated website and email hosting
Some providers bundle web hosting and email hosting in one package. This simplifies management since you handle everything through a single dashboard. Wix offers this type of integrated solution, letting you build your website and set up professional email in one place.
Learn more: how much does a business email cost?
How to get started with email hosting with Wix
As 64% of small businesses use email marketing, email is one of the most important communication tools for growing companies. For small businesses in particular, email offers a cost-effective way to engage customers, promote products and build long-term brand loyalty without requiring large marketing budgets.
Because email plays such a central role in customer communication, having reliable email hosting becomes essential. A professional email hosting service ensures consistent deliverability, better security, branded email addresses and the ability to scale as campaigns grow. In short, as more small businesses rely on email to compete with larger companies, strong email hosting infrastructure becomes a foundational part of their digital strategy.
Wix makes email hosting straightforward, especially if you already use Wix for your website. Here's how to set up professional email through Wix:
01. Connect your domain
If you purchased your domain through Wix, you're already set. If you bought your domain elsewhere, you'll need to connect it to your Wix account. The platform guides you through updating the necessary DNS settings.
Learn more about how to create an email with your domain.
02. Choose your email plan
Wix offers different email plans based on your storage needs and number of mailboxes. Select the plan that fits your business size and email usage. You can always upgrade later as your needs grow.
03. Create your email accounts
Decide which email addresses you need (info@, contact@, your name@, etc.). Set up accounts for yourself and team members through the Wix dashboard. Each account can have its own storage allocation and permissions.
04. Configure your email client
Access your email through Wix's webmail interface or connect it to your preferred email client or your smartphone's email app. Wix provides the server settings you need for configuration.
05. Set up forwarding and aliases
Create email aliases that direct to your main inbox or set up forwarding rules to route specific emails to team members. These features help you manage multiple email addresses efficiently.
The entire setup process typically takes less than an hour. Wix's interface walks you through each step, and support is available if you run into issues.
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What is email hosting? FAQ
How is email hosting different from Gmail or Outlook?
Free services like Gmail provide email accounts with their domain (@gmail.com), while email hosting lets you use your own domain name. Email hosting also offers more storage, better security features and greater control over your email infrastructure. Free services work well for personal use, but professional hosting gives your business more credibility and customization options.
Can I keep my existing email address when switching to email hosting?
You can't transfer your @gmail.com or @yahoo.com address to a hosting service, but you can forward emails from your old address to your new professional one during the transition. Most email hosting providers offer migration tools to move your existing messages, contacts and calendar events to your new account.
How much storage do I need for business email hosting?
Storage needs vary based on your email volume and attachment usage. Most small businesses do well with 10-30 GB per user. If you regularly send large files or keep years of email history, consider 50 GB or more. Many providers let you start small and add storage as needed.
Is email hosting secure for sensitive business information?
Reputable email hosting services include encryption, spam filtering and virus protection. Look for providers that offer SSL/TLS encryption, two-factor authentication and regular security updates. Business-grade email hosting is generally more secure than free email services, though you should still follow security best practices like using strong passwords and being cautious with attachments.
Learn more: how to get an SSL certificate.
Do I need technical knowledge to manage email hosting?
Modern email hosting platforms are designed for non-technical users. The initial setup requires following some instructions to connect your domain, but most providers offer guided setup processes. Day-to-day management involves tasks like creating new accounts and updating passwords, which most business owners can handle without technical expertise.
