ABSOLUTELY NOT, UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCE. That’s the post 😄.

@gmail addresses and other non-identity e-mail addresses are not only instantly forgettable and a security risk as they are easy to impersonate and imitate, but they make you look unprofessional and untrustworthy.

If you can’t afford £5/$5 a month for a branded e-mail address from your website domain, then we’d argue you’re not in business at all.

I’ve even seen certain businesses get @gmail addresses plastered onto the sides of their work vans! Can you imagine? Willing to invest 100s in a work van vinyl but stopping short at that £5 a month bill for a real e-mail address? Madness.

There are certain legitimate elements a business can take shortcuts on and make substantial savings, particularly when it is starting up and looking to scale. This is not one of those moments 🤣.

Mind you, it’s not one of the worst business crimes I’ve seen, how about a QR code on your roof?

Chris Barnard has spent over 15 years delivering exceptional revenue growth for ambitious businesses in the UK, Europe and North America through his marketing technology business, FeedbackFans.com and as an independent business consultant.

By his mid-20’s he was running digital departments for FTSE100 companies in London, eventually leading to a very successful period in digital customer acquisiton for a well-known brand in his early 30’s generating nine-figure revenues with seven-figure budgets. He now puts his experience, knowledge and ideas into good use, supporting challenger insurgent brands and forward thinking businesses to outperform in their sectors, whilst disrupting and improving the marketing, technology and development sectors.

Feedback Fans provides a unique next-generation managed technology and marketing platform that delivers outstanding and out-sized results for businesses in sectors such as finance, retail, leisure, and professional services.

With our unparalleled expertise in creating cutting-edge solutions and environments, we empower our clients and users to thrive and outperform in the digital age.

Chris Barnard is Managing Director of FeedbackFans.com and producer of the Bear Business Vodcast