Introduction
Ever wished your business could use multiple emails like support@, info@, sales@, but without paying for a separate account for each?
Enter: Email aliases.
With providers like Zoho Mail and Google Workspace, you can create multiple identities for the same inbox, which is perfect for startups, solopreneurs, and even full-fledged teams that want clean, brand-aligned communication.
This guide explains what email aliases are, why they matter for branding, and how to set them up step-by-step in Zoho Mail and Gmail (Google Workspace).
What Is an Email Alias?
An email alias is an alternate email address that forwards to your primary inbox. You can send and receive emails using it, which means you do not need a separate login or mailbox.
For example:
- Your main email: me@mybrand.com
- Aliases: support@mybrand.com, hello@mybrand.com, jobs@mybrand.com
All mail sent to the alias lands in me@mybrand.com, and you can reply as the alias.
No new license. No extra mailbox. Just extra flexibility.
Why Use Email Aliases? (Especially for Branding)
Email aliases are like having multiple doors to your office, each labeled for a different purpose but all leading to the same workspace.
Key Branding Benefits:
- Professionalism: Use support@ instead of randomfreemail@gmail.com
- Clarity: Each alias has a clear purpose, and customers know where to send what
- Cost-effective: No need to pay for multiple accounts
- Trust-building: Branded emails boost credibility and open rates
- Organization: Easily set filters to sort emails by alias
Real-World Use Cases
| Alias | Use Case |
| support@yourbrand.com | Customer support/ticketing |
| info@yourbrand.com | General inquiries |
| careers@yourbrand.com | Job applications |
| billing@yourbrand.com | Invoicing & payments |
| founder@yourbrand.com | Personal branding/outreach |
How to Set Up Email Aliases in Zoho Mail
Zoho lets admins easily create aliases via the Admin Console.
Step-by-Step (Admin Required):
- Log in to Zoho Mail Admin Console
→ https://mailadmin.zoho.com - Go to Users → Click on a User
- Under Mail Settings → Click “Add Alias”
- Enter the Alias Address
e.g., hello@yourbrand.com - Save Changes
Done! You’ll now receive emails sent to the alias in the user’s main inbox.
Sending Emails From an Alias in Zoho
- Open Zoho Mail → Compose
- Click the “From” address dropdown
- Select the alias you want to send from
You can set one as the default, too.
If alias sending isn’t enabled, go to Mail Settings → Send Mail As → Add Alias
How to Set Up Email Aliases in Gmail (Google Workspace)
Aliases in Google Workspace are set by Admins, too.
Step-by-Step (Admin Only):
- Go to Google Admin Console → admin.google.com
- Navigate to:
Directory → Users → [Select user] - Click User Information → Email aliases
- Click “Add Alternate Email.”
- Type in your alias (e.g., jobs@yourbrand.com)
→ Make sure your domain is selected
→ Save
Done: emails sent to jobs@yourbrand.com now go to the user’s main inbox.
Sending Emails From an Alias in Gmail
- Open Gmail → Click ⚙️ → See all settings
- Go to Accounts and Import → Send mail as
- Click “Add another email address.”
→ Enter alias and name
→ Use Gmail SMTP settings
→ Verify via confirmation email
You can set the alias as your default From address, too!
Tips to Use Aliases Like a Pro
Filter by Alias
- Set up Gmail/Zoho filters: auto-label or categorize messages by alias
- Keeps support@ emails separate from info@ ones
Track Campaigns with Aliases
- Use aliases like events@, newsletter@ to track marketing results
Personal Branding
- Create a clean alias like founder@, ceo@, or team@ to look sharp
Watch SPF/DKIM
Ensure your domain’s SPF and DKIM records include alias configurations, especially when sending from them. Prevents mail from ending up in spam.
Alternatives to Aliases (For Larger Teams)
If you need team-wide access or collaborative inboxes:
- Zoho Mail: Use Groups (support@ routes to multiple users)
- Google Workspace: Use Collaborative Inboxes or Google Groups
Aliases are perfect for small setups. But when the volume grows, these are better long-term options.
Conclusion
Aliases are small tweaks that make a huge difference in how your business is perceived online.
They’re easy to set up, free (no new licenses), and open the door to cleaner organization and better brand presence.
Whether you’re using Zoho Mail or Google Workspace, email aliases help you:
- Look more professional
- Respond faster and more clearly
- Scale without email chaos
Ready to give your inbox a glow-up? 🚀
Try setting up one alias today, even if it’s just hello@.
Level up your professionalism without juggling multiple inboxes.