Why no domain name?

Actually, unless you are sending from google/gmail infrastructure, you no longer want to be using a gmail address..

Gmail updated their DMARC record a couple months ago, to reject any gmail address if the message wasn't sent from their servers. So if any domain you are sending to is checking DMARC, your mail would be rejected.

I actually posted about this back when they made the change and the MODS for whatever reason didn't like the post and deleted it, which I will never understand.

I can totally understand why someone would send a message from their gmail account and that's because they are probably getting better deliverability.

I use google apps to send mail for some of my domains, so I'm actually using gmail. But when I first started, my free gmail account got better deliverability than my paid google apps account. I have little doubt that a free gmail, beats the crap out of most autoresponder services.

I would much rather send all my mail from a free gmail account, but for the reson you stated, it just doesn't look professional.

For me, professionalism means a whole lot! But if someone is delivering an amazing service (not sure if your culprit was), then they can use whatever address they want!

If you own a brand or represent it officially, you must use official domain mail.

There's always something hidden when something like this happens.
Personally me and 3 other mates contact to our clients with gmail especially if their email is gmail too. We don't want our message missed at all costs and as DIABLO says some updates are going with gmail right now and this is the most safe way.
Not to mention that we are email service provder and have high deliverability but it is 98%. Support messages must be 100% inbox!

That's a nice question. I, myself, used to believe that having a professional email address is a MUST-HAVE for anyone looking for some serious bucks on internet.

However, recently, my belief got busted.

I followed a very savvy blogger recenlty and was so surprised to know that she was sending emails through a gmail account! Initially, I thought, well maybe, she is not sooo smart.

But then I got to know that she has made 8 online launches since last two years and just recently made a 1M launch! Sigh. I was flabbergasted.

(btw her name is bushra Azhar and you can google her for more info).

The thing is: these things are good but there are not essential. They don't decide failures. In fact, in most of the cases, these are the very small excuses that hold people from taking actions (I don't have a professional email address, I can't afford getresponse, I don't have a nice white background head shot blab bla).

And as other members have mentioned, may be gmail has more deliverability. (this was something I didn't know).

Thanks for raising such a nice question. Cheers!
Junaid