A .local email address uses the “.local” suffix, which is reserved for private networks and not recognized on the public Internet. These addresses are typically used only inside a local area network (LAN) or for testing and development. 

For example, devices on a home or office network often use .local names via multicast DNS (mDNS), not real Internet DNS. Because .local isn’t a registered domain, emails sent from it won’t reach the wider Internet and are only valid on that network.

In this guide, we explain what .local domains are used for, why they can’t be used like public domains, and how to create a professional email address instead. For a professional email address which helps you communicate with your clients or suppliers, Neo is a platform that can help. 

Let’s understand in detail how to create a professional email address. 

Create a .local Email Address for Free with Domain

The .local domain is reserved by the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) for Multicast DNS. Multicast DNS, or mDNS, is a system used for local network name resolution, like finding and connecting with hardware devices, such as printers and smart TVs, on a home or office network. 

In RFC 6762, the .local TLD is reserved as a special-use domain name. Since the public email infrastructure relies on a structured system of domain names and mail servers that are globally accessible, .local domain doesn’t fit into this structure and thus cannot be used to create email addresses. 

To create a professional domain address, you need a domain name with generic TLDs or sponsored TLDs, along with your company name. You can get one by registering with a third-party domain registrar. 

Once you have purchased the domain name, you can easily create an email address with Neo. 

Step 1. Visit Neo and click on Get Started. 

Step 2. Click on Yes, I have a domain I can use. 

Step 3. Enter your registered domain name. 

Step 4. Create your customer account with Neo. 

Step 5. Set up your business email address.

This gives you a branded, professional email like johnsmith@clickwell.co.in, rather than a generic address like johnsmith@gmail.com. You can try using Neo for 15 days for free, and during this period, you can cancel your subscription without any hassles. 

For professionals and small business owners, who are looking for an effective tool to build their digital presence, Neo is their go-to platform. It is because it provides all the necessary functions at cost-effective rates, like: 

• Branded custom email address and signature designer
• Email management tools, like priority inbox, email rules, and upto 100GB mail storage 
• Email marketing tools, email campaigns, email templates, appointment scheduling, and email tracking 
• AI-powered Smart Write to simplify writing professional emails and email campaigns 
• Ensures security with two-factor authentication, end-to-end encryption, and advanced antivirus and spam protection
• AI-powered website builder to create and deploy one-page websites using AI

Create a Professional Email If You Don’t Have a Domain

If you don’t have a domain yet, Neo can still help. You can get a free domain with the .co.site extension when you sign up.

Step 1. Visit Neo, and click on Get Started. 

Step 2. Select No, I need a domain. 

Step 3. Enter your desired domain name. 

Step 4. Sign up for Neo. 

Step 5. Create your business email address. 

Now, you can configure the settings for your business email inbox, like creating your admin email address (yourname@brandwelldigital.co.site), custom email addresses for your teammates, a catch-all account, email aliases, and much more. 

Within 15 minutes, the entire process finishes, and you can start using your business email and setup your website using an AI-powered website builder. 

Why Should .local Domain Not Be Used?

A .local domain is a special-use name reserved for local networking, not for global email or websites. It was never meant to be in the public domain. For example, modern operating systems use .local with Bonjour or Avahi to find devices on the same network (e.g., “printer.local”). Internet routers and DNS servers ignore .local names, so they cannot route mail. 

Here are some reasons why .local top-level domain should not be used: 

1. The .local TLD is reserved by the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) in RFC 6762 for mDNS. You may have to face non-compliance issues if you use the .local domain in another context or a traditional unicast DNS context. 
2. Systems that run on Apple Bonjour service frequently use the mDNS and expect the .local TLD to behave in a certain way. If the .local TLD is used in another way, then its behavior changes, and it can lead to compatibility issues. 
3. Any device using the mDNS can claim the .local domain, so there are chances that two devices, one on your network and another using mDNS, might attempt to use the same name. This will lead to a naming conflict. 
4. The .local domain is not globally recognized because the Global DNS does not recognize the .local domain. So, this make the domain name unfit to be used for services that need to access outside the local network. 

The Bottom Line

A custom email address makes your company look legitimate and trustworthy. However, relying on .local email domain name is not recommended because it can cause conflicts. Thus, you should register a domain name with other types of domain extensions, like .co.in, .com, .tech, .ai, .uk, .us, .digital, and others. 

With a domain registrar, you can find a list of all the domain names available that you can purchase and register at a pocket-friendly price. If you want to save money on domain name registration, then choose Neo as your domain name registrar. 

While it only provides .co.site as a domain extension, the domain name registration is free as it is bundled with their business email plans. The platform supports flexible customization, and you can use your company name and logo in every email for a consistent, professional appearance. Branded emails get better inbox delivery and avoid spam folders.

Besides, Neo includes spam filters, calendars, apps, templates, and more. You can create multiple addresses for employees or departments and get reliable customer support. All of these benefits help build trust, improve communication, and make your business appear more professional.

So, try Neo for 15 days for free and see for yourself how much it boosts productivity at cost-effective prices. 

FAQs

1. Can I send and receive emails using a .local domain?

No. The .local suffix is not a valid Internet domain, so emails to or from a .local address won’t travel across the global Internet.

2. What’s the difference between a .local domain and a public domain?

.local is for internal, local network use only. Public domains (like .com, .dev, .org) are globally registered and work across the Internet.

3. Do I need to buy a domain to use Neo’s email service? 

Not necessarily. If you don’t already own a domain, Neo provides a free .co.site domain when you sign up, so you can get started without buying one.

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