Software testing is a crucial part of the software development process, as it helps in validating the software’s functionality and ensuring that it is working as expected. The testing process is a tedious and time-consuming because the production-like environment needs to be simulated to evaluate the app’s performance. 

Testers use .test email domain to test and validate email-related functionalities. Workflows like registration confirmation, password resets, and notifications can be tested without sending real emails. 

If you want to create a .test email address, then you cannot create an email address with such a domain extension. The .test domain name is reserved exclusively for testing and development and is not available for registration or use on the public internet. 

It is designed to serve as an alternative to test webpages using the default localhost, and hence, is guaranteed never to be registered on the Internet. However, if you want to create a custom email address for free, then Neo has a solution. 

Way 1: Create a .test Email Address for Free

If you have an existing domain name registered using a third-party domain registrar, Neo can help in creating custom email addresses for that domain name. Here’s how you can do that with Neo: 

Step 1: Go to the Neo website.

Go to Neo's official website and click the "Get Started for Free" button on the home page.

Step 2: Select "Yes, I have a domain I can use."

If you have a domain, select the first option from the two that appear. Select "Yes, I have a domain I can use". 

Step 3. Enter your Registered Domain Name. 

Enter your registered domain name (for example, username@brandname.testing) and Neo run a quick check to confirm its ownership.

Step 4. Create your Neo Account. 

Finally, to control your billing and mailboxes, you need to create your customer account. You can add email aliases and set up your business email mailbox after creating your Neo account. You can also give your team members new email addresses.

Step 5. Set up your business mailbox.

After creating your Neo account, choose a price plan based on your needs and pay for it. You may build your business mailbox, add email aliases, and test Neo for 15 days with the free trial.

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Way 2: Create a Custom Email Address for Testing Without an Existing Domain

While you cannot use a .test email domain for live communication, you can register a custom domain name for free using Neo. Neo provides free domain registration bundled with its email hosting service plans. If you are interested in setting up a real, professional email address rather than a temporary test address, then using a platform like Neo is the way to go.

Let’s see how you can register your domain name and set a business email address with Neo within 15 minutes. 

Step 1: Go to the Official Website.

Go to Neo and select the "Get Started for Free" option.

Step 2: Click on No, I need a domain name option. 

Select "No, I need a domain," the second option, and then click "Get new domain."

Step 3: Enter Your Desired Domain Name

Type in your preferred domain name, like testemail.co.site, developeremail.co.site, to register your email domain. 

Step 4: Create Your Neo Account

Next, create your Neo customer account by entering your information. This will help you with billing and mailbox management. Click "Continue" to complete the process of creating a new email address.

Step 5. Set up your Business Email Address

You may quickly set up your business email inbox after completing the previous steps. You can build a new mailbox address using your .co.site domain. This first mailbox can serve as your admin email address, but you can also create more. You can also set your email aliases and catch-all account. 

Understanding .test Email Address

The .test is a top-level domain that is reserved for use in examples, documentation, or testing. However, it is not meant for use in internet production. 

The Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) reserved this domain name in RFC 2606 (June 1999), and it is not meant to be added to the Internet's global Domain Name System (DNS). Because the test and its subdomains cannot be registered, they can be used for testing without worry of conflicting with existing or potential domain names. 

Developers and testers configure their local or development environments to recognize .test domains internally. For example, your application or test suite can generate or accept email addresses like user@example.test for testing email workflows without sending actual emails externally.

You set up tools or software (like local mail servers, mocks, or email capture tools) to handle .test emails safely without delivering them outside the test environment.

Here’s where the .test domain can be used: 

1. Developers use .test email addresses (e.g., user@example.test) to simulate user accounts during software testing. It avoids accidentally sending real emails during QA or staging tests.
2. It is perfect for writing and running automated tests involving user registration, login, password reset flows, etc., without interacting with actual email servers.
3. It is also used with continuous integration/deployment pipelines to test features safely without needing a live domain or third-party email provider.

How Neo’s Email Campaign Feature Helps in Testing Email-Related Functionality?

There are many reasons for using custom email addresses. It can be used for testing your email campaigns. Whether you're preparing to send out mass notifications or onboarding emails, testing your campaign is crucial. 

Here’s how Neo’s email campaign feature can be used: 

1. Enroll in Neo's Business Max plan: Begin by signing up for Neo's Business Max package. You can test out the features with a free 15-day trial if you already have a domain name.
2. Access the Email Campaigns tool: Click the New Email button after signing into the Neo app, then select the Campaign option to enter Campaign Mode. You may send mass emails effectively with this method.
3. Enter recipients' email addresses: You can enter the different email addresses created for testing purposes to validate the behavior. 
4. Draft your email: Draft your email message in the body. To personalize your email further, you can include HTML code snippets or pre-saved templates.
5. Customize using Mail Merge: By entering the first or last names of each recipient, you may use the Mail Merge tool to personalize each email.
6. Send an email: Click "send" after your email is ready to be sent to the recipients. Neo makes it simple to customize each email and interact with hundreds of individuals at once.

Conclusion

A test email is a must-have solution for developers and quality assurance professionals aiming to improve their email testing business operations. Temporary test addresses offer a cost-effective, safe, and effective means of replicating real email communication, helping to make sure that your emails work perfectly before going live. 

Utilize custom emails' potential with Neo to improve your development process and provide an outstanding user experience. Improve audience engagement and expedite the process with Neo's Email Campaigns tool for test emails. See how Neo can help your business expand by giving it a try today.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can the .test domain be used for creating an email address?

No, .test domain cannot be used for creating email addresses. The .test domain is not routable on the internet, email providers like Neo or Gmail do not allow users to create or register .test email addresses. They’re intended only for local testing environments, not for actual communication.

2. Is it possible to register domains anonymously?

Yes, you can use the privacy protection services that many domain registrars offer to register a domain anonymously. These services update the public WHOIS database with the registrar's details in place of your personal information.

3. How can I register a custom domain while maintaining my privacy?

By using the WHOIS privacy options offered by your registrar, you may protect your privacy. This service shows the registrar's information in the public WHOIS database while hiding your personal information.

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