How to Set Up a Free Professional Email Alias with Hostinger
Updated 2026-06-30 · Hosting Reviews
Why a Free Professional Email Alias Matters for Small Business Websites
When you run a small business, every interaction counts. Using a free professional email alias (e.g., info@yourdomain.com) instantly makes you look more credible than a generic Gmail or Yahoo address. It also keeps your personal inbox separate from customer communications, which helps with organization and brand consistency.
What You Need Before You Start
Setting up a professional email alias on Hostinger requires three basic pieces:
- Domain name – your business’s web address (e.g.,
yourbusiness.com). - Hosting plan – the server where your site and email will live. For most beginners, a shared hosting plan from Hostinger is sufficient.
- Email client or webmail – the tool you’ll use to read and send messages (Hostinger includes a webmail interface and supports Outlook, Gmail, etc.).
If you already have a domain, you can point it to Hostinger’s nameservers. If not, you can register one during the signup process – Hostinger often bundles a free domain for the first year.
Choosing the Right Hosting Plan for a Small Business Website
Hostinger offers three main tiers that work well for small business sites:
- Shared hosting – $3‑$8/month. Ideal for a single site with modest traffic, includes free SSL, one‑click WordPress, and the free email alias feature.
- Cloud hosting – $10‑$15/month. Provides more CPU and RAM, better performance for growing traffic, and still includes the email tools.
- VPS hosting – $20‑$30/month. For businesses that need dedicated resources or run multiple sites/apps. Overkill for most beginners.
For a typical small business website—home page, about, services, contact, and a blog—shared hosting is the most cost‑effective choice. You can always upgrade later without migrating your email alias.
Step‑By‑Step: Set Up a Free Professional Email Alias on Hostinger
Follow these exact steps to get your alias live in under an hour:
- Create a Hostinger account and choose a shared hosting plan that includes a free domain (if you need one).
- Register or connect your domain. If you bought the domain elsewhere, update its nameservers to
ns1.dns-parking.comandns2.dns-parking.com(Hostinger’s default). - Access the hPanel dashboard. This is Hostinger’s custom control panel where you’ll manage files, databases, and email.
- Navigate to “Email Accounts”. Click “Create New Email Account”. Enter the alias you want (e.g.,
info) and choose a strong password. - Set mailbox quota. For a free alias, 1‑2 GB is usually enough; you can increase it later if needed.
- Save the account. Hostinger will instantly create the mailbox and link it to your domain.
- Configure webmail or a client. Use the built‑in webmail (accessed via hPanel) or set up IMAP/SMTP in Outlook, Apple Mail, or Gmail using the credentials you just created.
- Test the alias. Send a test email to and from the new address to confirm delivery and proper SPF/DKIM settings (Hostinger enables these automatically).
That’s it—your free professional email alias is ready, and you can start using it on business cards, invoices, and contact forms.
Speed, Security, and Ongoing Maintenance
Even though the email alias is free, you still want a fast, secure site to protect your brand:
- Speed – Hostinger’s servers are located in multiple data centers worldwide. Enable the built‑in caching plugin if you’re using WordPress, and keep images optimized.
- Security – All Hostinger plans include a free SSL certificate, which encrypts data between your visitors and the server. Enable two‑factor authentication on your hPanel account and regularly update WordPress themes/plugins.
- Backups – Hostinger provides weekly backups on shared plans. Consider a manual backup before major changes, especially if you’re handling customer data.
Cost Summary and Renewal Tips
Initial costs are usually lower because Hostinger offers promotional rates for the first term (often $3‑$5/month for shared hosting). After the introductory period, expect renewal rates in the $5‑$8/month range for the same plan. Domain renewal typically costs $10‑$15/year, but many plans include a free domain for the first year.
To keep expenses predictable:
- Set a calendar reminder for renewal dates.
- Take advantage of Hostinger’s annual billing option—it’s often cheaper than month‑to‑month.
- Monitor your email quota; if you outgrow the free allocation, upgrading to a paid mailbox is inexpensive (usually $1‑$2/month per extra GB).
FAQ
Can I create multiple aliases on the free plan?
Yes. Hostinger lets you add several aliases (e.g., sales@, support@) under the same domain, each with its own mailbox quota.
Do I need a separate hosting account for email?
No. The email service is bundled with your hosting plan, so you manage both from the same hPanel dashboard.
What if I already have email hosted elsewhere?
You can point the MX records of your domain to the external provider while still using Hostinger for website hosting. Just update the MX records in the DNS settings on hPanel.