Why You Need a Business Email

After reviewing the email list of InspectSnap newsletter subscribers, one thing stood out immediately: a surprising number of inspectors are still using Gmail addresses for their business.

Whenever someone asks me what they need to start a legitimate business, my answer is always the same. First, form an LLC if you have not already, and second, secure a domain name and an email address tied to that domain. No matter how long you have been in the inspection business, whether you are just getting started or have twenty years of experience, using a Gmail address is costing you business.

When someone hands me a business card with a Gmail address, I throw it away. It tells me one of four things: you are not serious about your business, you do not understand how to set up professional tools, you are lazy, or you are cheap. Sometimes it is a mix of all four. It may sound harsh, but perception matters. Clients and agents notice details like this, and your email address is one of the first impressions you make.

The good news is this is one of the easiest things to fix. You can still keep your Gmail address for old contacts, but register for Google Workspace or Microsoft 365 and create an email using your business domain. It costs around $10 a month, and it instantly elevates how your business is perceived. In my opinion, home inspecting is a highly technical profession. People trust inspectors to know the inner workings of a home, understand building systems, and communicate professionally. If you are still using a Gmail address, it undercuts that credibility.

A domain-based email also helps when your business grows. You can create and manage email accounts for new team members, keep all communication under your business name, and maintain consistency as your company expands. This is not a branding detail you can afford to overlook; it is a basic part of running a professional inspection business.