Gmail is one of the most widely used email platforms in the world. And for good reason—it’s fast, clean, and super reliable. But did you know you can also use it to manage your custom email address (like hello@yourbusiness.co.za)? Yup, you totally can.

This guide will walk you through how to check and send emails from your custom domain—using good ol’ Gmail.

Note: These steps only work on a desktop or laptop. The Gmail mobile app doesn’t support adding extra accounts like this (we know, sigh).

Step 1: Ensure that your email account exists. If you need help on creating an email account, please read these articles:

• How to create or delete email accounts via cPanel
• How to create or delete email accounts via your Jesede client portal

Step 2: Open Gmail in your browser (on desktop, obviously :) )

Step 3: Click on the gear icon (top right), then click on “See all settings”

Step 4: Click on the “Accounts and Import” tab

Step 5: Under “Check mail from other accounts,” click on “Add a mail account”

Step 6: In the pop-up that appears, type in your custom email address and click on “Next”

• Select the option: Import emails from my other account (POP3)
• Click on “Next” again

Step 7: Fill in your email login details

• Replace yourdomain.co.za with your actual domain.
• Incoming Mail Server: mail.yourdomain.co.za
• Port: 995
  Tick the box for: Always use a secure connection (SSL)
• (Optional) Tick the box for: Leave a copy of retrieved messages on the server
• Enter your full email address and password
• Click on “Add Account” when you're done

Step 8: Gmail will ask if you want to send emails from this address

• Select: Yes, I want to be able to send mail as hello@yourdomain.co.za
• Click on “Next”

Step 9: Enter the name you want to appear when sending emails

• For example: Your Name or Your Business Name
• Click on “Next Step”

Step 10: Fill in the SMTP details

• Outgoing Mail Server (SMTP): mail.yourdomain.co.za
• Port: 465
• Tick the box: Secured connection using SSL
• Enter your email address and password again
• Click on “Add Account”

Step 11: Verify your email address

• Gmail will send a confirmation email to your custom address.
• Click the verification link in the email or paste the confirmation code into the pop-up window.

Step 12: Voila! Your custom email account is now connected to Gmail

You can now send and receive emails from your personalised address—right from your Gmail inbox.

Let us know if you get stuck. We’re happy to help!