How to Connect Your Custom Domain to Your G Suite Account for Custom Domain Email

Setting up a custom domain email with G Suite (now Google Workspace) can give your business a more professional edge. Here’s a simple guide to get you started on linking your custom domain to your G Suite account to create a custom domain email. This process involves a few key steps including verifying your domain, setting up email delivery (MX records), and configuring some additional settings. Let’s break it down:

Step 1: Sign Up for Google Workspace

First, you'll need a Google Workspace account. Go to the Google Workspace website, choose your plan, and sign up using your basic information. During sign-up, Google will ask if you have a domain or need to buy one. Since you have a custom domain, select the option to use a domain you already own.

Step 2: Verify Your Domain

To use your domain with Google services, you need to verify ownership:

1. Log in to your Google Workspace Admin console (admin.google.com).

2. Go to Domains: Navigate to Account -> Domains, and then click Add or remove domains.

3. Start the verification process: Click on Add a domain or a domain alias, enter your domain, and follow the instructions to verify. Google will provide a unique verification code or record.

4. Update DNS Settings: Access your domain’s DNS settings from your domain registrar’s website. You will need to add the verification record provided by Google into your DNS settings.

5. Verify the Setup: Go back to the Google Workspace setup and confirm the DNS changes. Verification can take a few minutes to 48 hours.

Step 3: Configure Email Delivery (MX Records)

Once your domain is verified, set up the MX records to direct your emails to Google's mail servers:

1. Access DNS Management: Log into where your domain is hosted, and locate the DNS Management or MX Entry section.

2. Edit MX Records: Remove any existing MX records and add the Google mail servers. Here are the records you'll need to enter:

   • Priority 1: ASPMX.L.GOOGLE.COM.

   • Priority 5: ALT1.ASPMX.L.GOOGLE.COM.

   • Priority 5: ALT2.ASPMX.L.GOOGLE.COM.

   • Priority 10: ALT3.ASPMX.L.GOOGLE.COM.

   • Priority 10: ALT4.ASPMX.L.GOOGLE.COM.

3. Save Changes: Make sure to save your new MX record settings. It may take some time for these changes to propagate across the internet.

Step 4: Set Up SPF and DKIM

Improve email deliverability by setting up SPF and DKIM records:

• SPF (Sender Policy Framework): Add an SPF record to your DNS settings to prevent spammers from sending messages with forged From addresses on your domain. The typical SPF record looks like this: v=spf1 include:_spf.google.com ~all

• DKIM (DomainKeys Identified Mail): Log into your Google Workspace Admin console, go to Apps -> Google Workspace -> Gmail and then Authenticate email. Follow instructions to set up a DKIM record.

Step 5: Create Your Custom Domain Emails

Now that your domain is set up, go back to your Google Workspace dashboard:

• Create user accounts: Add new users or create new emails (e.g., contact@yourdomain.com) via the admin console.

Final Steps and Testing

• Test Your Setup: Send test emails to and from your new custom domain email to ensure everything is working correctly.

• Utilize Google Workspace Features: Set up calendars, document sharing, and more to maximize the productivity benefits of Google Workspace.

By following these steps, you should have your custom domain email up and running with Google Workspace. If you encounter any issues, Google’s support documentation and customer service are excellent resources for troubleshooting.

Feeling a bit overwhelmed by the setup process or just need an extra hand to make sure everything's running smoothly? Don't worry—I'm here to help! Reach out to me at Saola Creative, and let’s ensure your domain and email settings are perfectly aligned with your business needs. Whether it's a simple verification hiccup or configuring those tricky MX records, I've got your back. Let's get your professional email up and running without the hassle. Contact me today, and let’s streamline your setup together!