As business owners, we work hard to create the perfect picture of ourselves and our company. Call it branding or call it perception, either way it all boils down to getting the details right. One such detail is your email address.

If you have a company Web site, it is in your best interest to utilize your URL where ever you can, especially in your email address. You’ve invested time and money to build your business, establish your brand and create your Web site, so why not carry that professionalism and pride into your email address?

A recent search in a through a professional directory yielded many names, phone numbers and email addresses, but not a single Web site address. For those email addresses utilizing their corporate URL, this was not an issue. But way too many listed email addresses @hotmail or @yahoo or @aol.com.

When an email address ends in @hotmail.com instead of @mycompanyhere.com, what is the perception of those on the receiving end of your email? One thing is for certain, this doesn’t portray the level of professionalism you’re striving for elsewhere.

When that personal email address is also used on your written correspondence and business cards, it amplifies the problem. Add “missed opportunity” and “technically challenged” to “less than professional.” You’ve missed an opportunity to repeat and emphasize your corporate URL, and made it easier for contacts to forget who you are.

So do yourself a huge favor. Don’t make a business etiquette faux pas by using a generic email address to conduct official business. Set up your email to utilize your website URL.