BigCommerce: "Please Enter a Valid Business Email"

If you've tried signing up for BigCommerce, you might have encountered the message: "Please enter a valid business email." While this might seem like a straightforward request, it often raises questions for new users.

This article will explore why BigCommerce requires a valid business email, what constitutes a valid email address, common mistakes to avoid, and steps to resolve the error.

Why BigCommerce Requires a Business Email

BigCommerce is a leading eCommerce platform designed to support online businesses of all sizes. When you sign up for BigCommerce, the platform requests a business email address to:

Prevent Spam and Fraud: By requiring a business email, BigCommerce aims to filter out potential spam or fraudulent accounts. A valid business email indicates that you are a legitimate business owner or representative, reducing the risk of abuse on the platform. We run into the same problem on Ordoro too, where fraudsters try to abuse our system by creating fake signups. Ordoro also requires you to type in a valid email for the same reasons.

Improve Customer Support and Service Delivery: With a business email, BigCommerce can better tailor their communications and support to suit your business needs. It also ensures that critical updates, billing information, and support communications reach the appropriate contact.

Ensure Professional Communication: A business email often uses a custom domain (e.g., yourname@yourbusiness.com) rather than a generic email provider (like Gmail, Yahoo, or Hotmail). This professionalism is essential for credibility and brand trust, both for BigCommerce and for you as a business owner.

What Constitutes a Valid Business Email?

To avoid seeing the "Please enter a valid business email" error, it is crucial to understand what BigCommerce considers a valid business email. Here are the key characteristics:

Custom Domain: The email should be associated with a custom domain name rather than a generic email provider. For example, john@bestshop.com is preferred over john@gmail.com.

Proper Format: A valid email address should follow the standard format: username@domain.com. It should not contain any spaces, special characters (other than periods, hyphens, and underscores in the username), or incorrect domain extensions (like .con instead of .com).

Active and Accessible: The email address must be active and accessible. BigCommerce might send a verification email during the sign-up process, and an inactive or incorrect email could prevent you from completing the registration.

Common Mistakes Leading to the Error

Several common mistakes can trigger the "Please enter a valid business email" error on BigCommerce:

Using Personal or Generic Email Addresses: If you enter a personal email address like john.doe@gmail.com or jane@yahoo.com, you might encounter this error. BigCommerce specifically looks for emails that are business-oriented.

Typos and Formatting Errors: Simple typographical errors like missing the @ symbol, misspelling the domain, or using incorrect characters can cause the error. For example, typing john@bestshop,com instead of john@bestshop.com will not be recognized as valid.

Invalid Domain Names: Entering an email address with a non-existent or inactive domain will also result in an error. BigCommerce checks the domain to ensure it's valid and operational.

Spam Filters and Restrictions: Some users might use disposable or temporary email addresses to avoid spam. However, these are flagged by BigCommerce's system as invalid, as they do not meet the criteria for a legitimate business email.

Steps to Resolve the "Valid Business Email" Error

If you encounter this error, here are steps to resolve it:

1. Use a Custom Domain Email: Ensure your email is associated with your business's domain. If you don't have one, consider setting up a business email through your domain provider. Most web hosting services offer email hosting services as part of their packages.
2. Check for Typographical Errors: Double-check your email entry for any typos or formatting issues. Make sure the @ symbol is present, there are no spaces, and the domain is correctly spelled with the proper extension (like .com, .net, .org, etc.).
3. Verify Domain Validity: Ensure that the domain of your email is active and correctly set up. If you are unsure whether your domain is active, you can use online tools to check its status.
4. Avoid Disposable Emails: Use a permanent email address rather than temporary or disposable email services. This ensures ongoing communication with BigCommerce for important updates and support.
5. Contact BigCommerce Support: If you've tried the above steps and still encounter the error, it might be worth reaching out to BigCommerce's customer support. They can provide specific guidance or identify any potential issues with your email.

Creating a Business Email: A Quick Guide

If you do not have a business email and need to create one, here’s a quick guide to get you started:

1. Register a Domain Name: If you don’t already have a domain, you’ll need to purchase one from a domain registrar like GoDaddy, Namecheap, or Google Domains. Choose a name that represents your business.
2. Choose an Email Hosting Provider: Many domain registrars offer email hosting as part of their services. Alternatively, you can use specialized email hosting services like Google Workspace (formerly G Suite) or Microsoft 365, which provide professional email hosting along with additional tools.
3. Set Up Your Email Account: Once you have your domain and email hosting, set up your email account by following the instructions provided by your email hosting service. For example, you can create info@yourbusiness.com or support@yourbusiness.com.
4. Configure Your Email Client: To easily access your emails, configure your email client (like Outlook, Thunderbird, or Apple Mail) or use a web-based client provided by your email hosting service.
5. Test Your New Email: Before using your new business email to sign up on BigCommerce, test it by sending a few emails to ensure it's working correctly and receiving emails properly.

Does BigCommerce Have Any Recommendations on Creating Email Addresses?

Yes, BigCommerce recommends using email addresses that are linked to your store's domain for customer support, order inquiries, and other communications. This helps maintain a professional appearance and assures customers they are contacting a legitimate store representative. While BigCommerce automatically sets up a forwarding address when you create your store, they also suggest using a third-party email service, like Google Workspace, to access additional features such as webmail, filters, and spam blocking. Keep in mind that BigCommerce does not provide its own email services.

Conclusion

Encountering the "Please enter a valid business email" error on BigCommerce can be frustrating, but understanding the reasons behind this requirement and knowing how to resolve it will make the process smoother. A valid business email not only aligns with BigCommerce’s policies but also sets a professional tone for your business operations. By following the steps outlined above, you can quickly resolve this issue and focus on building and growing your online store with BigCommerce.