How to Get Your Own Custom Email Address

Are you job searching, starting a business or just want a really cool email address? It’s easier than you think. you@yourdomain.com, here we come!

There are three approaches, with different costs, complexities and tradeoffs:

1. The Basics – domain + forwarding (receive only)
   Buy a domain (e.g., yourdomain.com) and set it up to forward mail to your existing inbox (Gmail, Outlook, etc.). Anyone can email your new address, but your replies still come from your regular account. Cost: about $10–15/year for the domain. Bonus: one domain can forward to multiple people if you want.
2. A Step Up – iCloud+ custom email (send & receive)
   With an iCloud+ subscription starting at $0.99/month plus your domain, you can fully send and receive from your custom address. It works across devices but feels especially smooth if you’re already an Apple/iPhone user. Cost: about $22–27/year all in.
3. The Real Deal – Google Workspace or Microsoft 365 (full workspace)
   For $6–12/month per user plus your domain, you get a dedicated inbox just like most companies use. Setup is straightforward and includes extras like calendar, storage, and office tools. Ideal if you’re running a business or want enterprise-grade features.

We’ll focus on the first two, since they’re the simplest and most realistic for most people who want a personal custom email without spending too much.

Option 1

Step-by-Step for Domain + Basic Forwarding

1. Get your domain. This is the hardest part — because, honestly, everything feels taken. You don’t have to stick with .com, but pick something familiar (.us, .org, .net) or go for a niche ending that fits your skills (.dev, .ai, etc.). Start with the Squarespace Domain Search and buy when you find one you like.
2. Set up forwarding. Log in to your Squarespace Domains account, click your new domain, and choose Email from the lefthand menu.
3. Create your rule. Click Add Rule under Email Forwarding. In the first box, type what you want your new address to be (e.g. yourname@yourdomain.com). In the second, add your existing inbox (e.g. Gmail).
4. Verify. You’ll get a confirmation email at your old inbox. Click to verify, and you’re set. Check out the full instructions from Squarespace here.

Option 2

Step-by-Step for iCloud+ Custom Email

1. Subscribe. You’ll need an iCloud+ plan (personal, family, or through Apple One). If you don’t have one yet, sign up. You’ll also need a basic iCloud email address, even though you’ll mainly use your custom domain. Check out the full instructions from Apple here.
2. Start setup. Go to icloud.com/icloudplus, log in, and select Custom Email Domain (or choose it from the menu if already logged in).
3. Pick your domain. The easiest way is to buy through Apple during setup. But you can also use an existing domain — even one from Squarespace (Option 1) — you’ll just need to update the domain records when prompted.
4. Finish setup. Follow Apple’s instructions to verify and connect everything. Once done, you can send and receive email from your new custom address.

Getting a custom email is easier than it looks. Whether you choose simple forwarding, iCloud+, or a full Workspace plan, you’ll look way more polished sending from you@yourdomain.com instead of your old Gmail. A small step, big upgrade.

Hey functional human—this part’s yours.