For cannabis businesses navigating the competitive landscape of modern marketing, trust and professionalism go hand in hand. One of the simplest—and most impactful—ways to elevate your brand presence is by claiming a custom email domain that aligns with your website and company name.

Whether you’re launching a dispensary, delivery service, or cannabis wellness brand, a professional email like you@yourweedbrand.com speaks volumes compared to a free Gmail or Yahoo account. In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to claim a branded email with your domain, outline the best hosting options, and explain why this step matters for your credibility and success.

What Is a Custom Email Domain?

A custom email domain is an email address that uses your business’s domain name rather than a generic email provider. For example, info@greengrows420.com instead of greengrows420@gmail.com. This format shows customers that you’re serious, established, and professional, and, surprisingly, learning how to get a custom email domain is not as complicated as it may seem.

Why You Need a Custom Email

Roughly 45.6% of all emails sent daily are classified as spam, and free personal email addresses—especially ones ending in @gmail.com or @yahoo.com—are more likely to be flagged or filtered out by inbox providers. For cannabis businesses, which already face stricter scrutiny in digital spaces, using a custom email domain can dramatically improve deliverability and legitimacy.

If you're still operating with a personal email for your dispensary, brand, or startup, you're likely missing out on:

• Brand Trust: Consumers trust businesses that have their own domain name.

• Consistency: Matching email and web domains reinforces brand identity.

• Deliverability: Branded emails are less likely to be flagged as spam.

• Scalability: Easily create emails for team members or departments (e.g., sales@, support@, hello@).

Plus, if you’re launching any email marketing campaigns or newsletters, most email platforms require a domain-based sender to comply with spam laws like CAN-SPAM.

Do I Have to Buy a Domain to Have a Custom Email?

Yes—you need to own a domain to create a custom email address. But don’t worry, this is a fast and inexpensive step. If you haven’t bought one yet, providers like GoDaddy and Squarespace make it easy, and the cost of setting everything up is nowhere near as expensive as it's easy to assume.

Pro tip: If you already host your website through CannaPlanners, we can help you claim and manage your domain during onboarding.

Can I Have a Custom Email Without a Website?

Absolutely. A live website isn’t required to obtain a custom email domain—you only need domain ownership. Even if your site is still under construction or coming soon, you can set up a branded email immediately. This is ideal for companies and brands that want a professional email for early customer outreach or investor communications.

How to Get a Custom Domain Email Step-by-Step

1. Buy a Domain

Choose a name that matches your business or brand. Avoid complicated spellings and stick to a clean .com or .co address if possible. You can purchase a domain via:

• GoDaddy

• Google Domains (now part of Squarespace)

• Namecheap

• Your web hosting provider

2. Choose a Custom Domain Email Hosting Provider

You’ll need to pick a platform to host your email service. Common options include:

• Google Workspace (formerly G Suite)

• Microsoft 365 (Outlook)

• Zoho Mail

• Proton Mail (privacy-focused)

• GoDaddy Email Hosting

We'll explore these in more detail below to get an idea of each platform and how they compare.

3. Verify Domain Ownership

Once you pick a hosting provider, you’ll be prompted to verify that you own the domain. This usually involves updating your DNS records (like MX, TXT, and SPF records). Your email provider will give you exact steps to do this through your domain registrar.

Pro Tip: If you’re working with CannaPlanners to refine your digital marketing plan, our support team can help handle DNS configurations.

4. Set Up Your First Email Address

Once your domain is verified, you’ll be able to create email addresses (e.g., sales@, customersupport@, yourbrandname@). From there, you can start sending and receiving emails using the custom domain.

5. Sync with Gmail, Outlook, or Your Favorite App

Most branded email services allow you to use popular inbox apps. If you choose Google Workspace, you’ll have the full Gmail experience but with your business address.

Custom Domain Email Hosting Options

Here’s a quick look at the best custom domain email hosting services on the market, each with perks and most suitable for business types. 

Google Workspace

Ideal for growing teams that need seamless collaboration tools baked in. Everything is cloud-first and built to scale, making it a favorite for modern, fast-moving canabusinesses.

• Cost: Starts at $6/user/month

• Best for: Businesses wanting Gmail + Google Docs, Sheets, Meet, and Drive

• Bonus: Clean interface, spam protection, reliable uptime

GoDaddy Email Hosting

A solid choice for cannabis startups looking for a quick, integrated solution. If you’ve registered your domain with GoDaddy, their email hosting makes it easy to get up and running—ideal for dispensaries, brands, or solo operators who want reliable branded email without extra setup hassle.

• Cost: Starts at $1.99/user/month (limited feature set)

• Best for: Quick domain/email bundling for GoDaddy users

• Bonus: Simple setup if you bought your domain with GoDaddy

Microsoft 365 (Outlook)

A natural fit for businesses already using Microsoft Office apps. Strong desktop integration makes it appealing for companies with more traditional IT setups.

• Cost: Starts at $6/user/month

• Best for: Teams familiar with Outlook, Excel, and Word

• Bonus: Strong integrations for enterprises and legacy systems

Zoho Mail

Appeals to lean startups and tech-savvy users who want essential features without the price tag. A good intro platform with surprisingly robust tools for the cost, but falls short in terms of scalability with growth. 

• Cost: Free for up to 5 users (limited) / Paid starts at $1/user/month

• Best for: Startups on a budget

• Bonus: Ad-free experience, privacy-forward, decent mobile app

ProtonMail

Designed for privacy-first professionals. Great for cannabis brands with a security mindset or those handling sensitive communications.

• Cost: Starts at $9.99/month for custom domain use

• Best for: Security- and privacy-conscious businesses

• Bonus: Encrypted email, servers in Switzerland

Custom Email Costs: What to Expect

Here's a breakdown of custom email costs to budget for:

Pro tip: Avoid free email services that inject ads or limit storage. It’s worth spending a few bucks each month for privacy, security, and full control.

Final Thoughts: A Custom Email Domain Matters Big Time for Cannabis Businesses

In the cannabis industry, your brand presence needs to do a lot of heavy lifting—especially when ad restrictions and compliance rules limit traditional marketing. A custom domain email address is one of the easiest ways to reinforce professionalism and create a consistent, secure brand identity.

At CannaPlanners, we help cannabis entrepreneurs build Lifted websites, launch marketing strategies, and optimize traffic—and that includes setting up custom email domains the right way. Whether you’re using Google Workspace, GoDaddy, or another provider, we’re here to guide you through the setup and help your brand stand out.

If you’re ready to ditch the free Gmail address and level up your brand with a custom domain email, let us help. Contact CannaPlanners to get started, and we’ll walk you through everything from domain selection to email hosting.