How to Use a Custom Domain with Google Workspace

Welcome to CraigMillar's guide on setting up your custom domain with Google Workspace! Follow these steps to seamlessly integrate your domain for professional email and other Google Workspace services. Remember, if you need assistance at any stage, our Award-Winning Customer Care Team is here to help. You can reach us via our Support Portal at support.craigmillarbenburb.co.uk, call us at 028 377 62337, or email us at support@craigmillarbenburb.co.uk.

Step 1: Purchase a Domain

If you haven't already purchased a custom domain, you can buy one directly from CraigMillar. As a trusted domain seller, we offer competitive pricing and exceptional customer support to ensure you get the best domain for your business needs.

Step 2: Sign Up for Google Workspace

1. Go to the Google Workspace website.
2. Click on the "Get Started" button.
3. Enter your business name, number of employees, and your country.
4. Provide your contact information.
5. When asked, provide your custom domain name. If you don't have one yet, you can purchase it during this setup.

Step 3: Verify Your Domain

Google needs to verify that you own the domain. Follow these steps:

1. Log in to Your Domain Registrar:

   • Log in to your domain registrar's website.
   • Find the DNS settings page. This may also be called "DNS Management," "Name Server Management," or "Advanced Settings."

2. Add a TXT Record:

   • Go to the DNS settings section and add a new TXT record.
   • In the "Name" or "Host" field, enter @ or leave it blank.
   • In the "Value" field, enter the verification code provided by Google.
   • Set the TTL to the lowest value possible (usually 1 hour or less).

3. Verify in Google Workspace:

   • Return to the Google Workspace setup and click "Verify."

Google will now check the TXT record to verify your domain ownership. This can take up to 24-48 hours.

Step 4: Set Up Email with Google Workspace

1. Log in to Google Workspace Admin Console:

   • Go to the Admin Console.
   • Use your Google Workspace credentials to log in.

2. Add MX Records:

   • Go to the DNS settings in your domain registrar.

   • Add the following MX records:

     Priority	Mail Server
     1	ASPMX.L.GOOGLE.COM
     5	ALT1.ASPMX.L.GOOGLE.COM
     5	ALT2.ASPMX.L.GOOGLE.COM
     10	ALT3.ASPMX.L.GOOGLE.COM
     10	ALT4.ASPMX.L.GOOGLE.COM

     • In the "Name" or "Host" field, enter @ or leave it blank.
     • Set the TTL to the lowest value possible.

3. Save Changes:

   • Save the changes in your domain registrar's DNS settings.

4. Verify in Google Workspace:

   • Return to the Google Workspace setup and click "Activate Gmail."

Step 5: Configure Additional DNS Settings

To fully utilize Google Workspace services, configure the following DNS records:

1. CNAME Records:

   Name	Value
   mail	ghs.googlehosted.com
   calendar	ghs.googlehosted.com
   drive	ghs.googlehosted.com
   sites	ghs.googlehosted.com
   groups	ghs.googlehosted.com

2. TXT Records for SPF:

   • Add the following TXT record to prevent spam:

     Name	Value
     @	v=spf1 include:_spf.google.com ~all

3. SRV Records for Chat:

   Name	Value
   _xmpp-server._tcp	5 0 5269 xmpp-server.l.google.com
   _xmpp-client._tcp	5 0 5222 xmpp-client.l.google.com

Step 6: Access Google Workspace Services

Once your DNS changes have propagated, you can start using Google Workspace services:

• Email: Access Gmail at mail.google.com or set up your email client.
• Calendar: Access Google Calendar at calendar.google.com.
• Drive: Access Google Drive at drive.google.com.
• Docs, Sheets, Slides: Access these apps through the Google Apps menu.

Troubleshooting

• Propagation Delay: DNS changes can take up to 24-48 hours to propagate.
• Check DNS Settings: Ensure all DNS records are correctly entered.
• CraigMillar Support: If you encounter issues, contact our Award-Winning Customer Care Team at support.craigmillarbenburb.co.uk, call 028 377 62337, or email support@craigmillarbenburb.co.uk for assistance.

Conclusion

By following these steps, you can successfully use your custom domain with Google Workspace. Enjoy the professional benefits of branded email and powerful collaboration tools. If you have any questions or need further assistance, feel free to reach out to CraigMillar. Our Award-Winning Customer Care Team is always ready to help.