Email Provider Comparison
| Provider | Price/Month | Storage | Features | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Google Workspace | €6 | 30GB | Gmail interface, Calendar, Meet, Drive, Mobile apps | Most businesses |
| Microsoft 365 | €5 | 50GB | Outlook, Office apps (Word, Excel), Teams, OneDrive | Need Office apps |
| Zoho Mail | Free-€1 | 5GB | Basic email, Calendar, No mobile app (free tier) | Budget conscious |
| ImprovMX | Free | - | Email forwarding only (not hosting) | ❌ Not for business |
Recommendation: Google Workspace for Irish SMBs. Familiar interface, reliable, great mobile apps. Microsoft 365 if you need Word/Excel included.
Google Workspace Setup Steps
Sign Up for Google Workspace
Go to workspace.google.com → Start free trial → Enter your domain (yourbusiness.ie)
Verify Domain Ownership
Add TXT record to your domain DNS: google-site-verification=xxxxx (copy from Google)
Add MX Records
Update domain DNS with Google's mail servers (5 MX records - Google provides full list)
Add SPF, DKIM, DMARC Records
Prevent email spoofing and improve deliverability (TXT records - Google provides values)
Wait for DNS Propagation
1-48 hours for changes to take effect globally. Check with: mxtoolbox.com/SuperTool
Create User Accounts
Add team members: you@yourbusiness.ie, sales@yourbusiness.ie, info@yourbusiness.ie
DNS Records Explained
MX Records
Mail ServerASPMX.L.GOOGLE.COM (priority 1)
Tell internet where to send emails for your domain. Google provides 5 MX records with different priorities.
SPF Record
Sender Authenticationv=spf1 include:_spf.google.com ~all
Prevent spammers from sending email pretending to be you. Gmail will reject fake emails.
DKIM Record
Email Signaturegoogle._domainkey TXT record (long key)
Cryptographically sign outgoing emails so recipients know they're really from you.
DMARC Record
Spam Policyv=DMARC1; p=quarantine; rua=mailto:...
Tell email providers what to do with emails that fail SPF/DKIM checks (reject, quarantine, allow).
Common Email Addresses to Setup
info@yourbusiness.ie
Use: General inquiries
Forward to main contact
hello@yourbusiness.ie
Use: Friendly alternative to info
Forward to main contact
sales@yourbusiness.ie
Use: Sales inquiries
Forward to sales team
support@yourbusiness.ie
Use: Customer support
Dedicated support person
you@yourbusiness.ie
Use: Your personal email
Your primary account
team@yourbusiness.ie
Use: Team collaboration
Shared mailbox for team
FAQs
How much does custom email cost in Ireland?
Google Workspace: €6/month per user (30GB storage). Microsoft 365: €5/month (50GB). Both include custom domain email (you@yourdomain.ie), spam filtering, mobile apps, calendar, contacts.
Can I use Gmail with my own domain?
Yes. Google Workspace lets you use Gmail interface with your custom domain (you@yourbusiness.ie instead of you@gmail.com). Same Gmail features + professional branding.
How long does email setup take?
DNS propagation: 1-48 hours. Setup time: 15 minutes for Google Workspace, 30 minutes for Microsoft 365. We handle everything for €50 setup fee.
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