Have you been wanting to set up your own domain email addresses, but weren’t sure how to get started? With Google Apps you can do this for free, and it’s really easy to set it up. Having your own @yourdomain.com email address looks very professional when dealing with pr, media and brands, so it’s a good idea to get this set up. Here’s how to get it done in just a few steps:
Step One: Start out at Google Apps HERE. Google makes it difficult to find out where you can sign-up for free, because they have a paid version for businesses and obviously want us all to use that one. But we’re going to be savvy with our money, and use the free version.
Step Two: Click on the “Get Started” button.
Step Three: Go through the registration process (easy so far right?).
Step Four: Once you have completed the registration process, you need to verify that you own the domain. You can do this through the following options:
- Add a DNS record to your domain configuration.
- Link to your Google Analytics account if you are already set up there.
- Upload an HTML file to your server.
- Add a meta tag to your site’s home page.
I chose number four, because it was the easiest thing to do with Thesis open hook. Just grab the meta tag, and insert it into the WP Head section of Thesis Open Hook. If you don’t have Thesis open hook, insert this into the <head> section before the first <body> section, under Editor in the WordPress Dashboard. Once you verify with Google, you can remove the meta tag.
Step Five: Now it is time to activate your email. Scroll down and under Email click on “Activate Email.”
Step Six: Select your host site from the drop down menu to get instructions for changing your MX records. Log into your host, and follow the steps through completely. Then click on “I have completed these steps” at the bottom.
Once you have completed changing the MX records, bookmark your Google Apps homepage and it’s time to sit back, relax and wait on google to check the MX records (takes about 48 hours). Now would be a great time to get some extra blogging done, do the dishes or fill out your application for the 2011 Savvy Blogging Summit.
Step Seven: Now we come to the best part. Once your MX records are official and correct, go to your Google Apps home page and sign in. Click on “Organization and Users” on the top navigation menu, and then “Create New User.” Add the name and email that you want, and continue to do this for as many emails as you wish to set up (up to 50 with this free version of google apps). Click on “Email Instructions” after creating a user to email the login information to whoever you created the email address for.
You will be able to log into your email at http://mail.google.com/a/YOURDOMAINHERE/.
See how easy that was? Now go get set up, and come back to tell us how savvy you are with your gmail!
Crystal blogs at TheThriftyMama.com and WomanFuze.com. Connect with her on Twitter and Facebook.
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This was a great resource. I just recently expanded my business to offer frugal business development and I was thrilled to add this post to my list of resources!
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frugalapolis Reply:
February 27th, 2011 at 8:17 pm
So if I registered with Godaddy.com do I have to go log in there and figure out what to do?
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I don’t know if you can help me but I am lost… I cannot do this on crazydomains.com.au as I don’t know how.
Does anyone know? Thanks so much
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Thanks
D
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Crystal Collins Reply:
April 15th, 2011 at 9:12 pm
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chukky Reply:
April 7th, 2012 at 4:48 am
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Crystal Collins Reply:
April 7th, 2012 at 5:54 pm
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Jessica
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Crystal Collins Reply:
December 29th, 2011 at 12:01 pm
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Then I signed up for google apps. Added 5 MX entries and 4 Cname records in DNS of the same domain.
But immediately my blogger website was not loading. But Google apps was working fine. I was able to receive or send email etc,. Then I deleted those MX entries and Cname records added for Google apps and deleted my account on Google apps.
Then again my site came alive. Is there any mismatch between these two.
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Has this changed over the past year though (besides changing from 50 users to 10)? I’m trying to help another business set this up and when I click the link I’m brought to a page that reads “Try Google Apps for Business for Free. Wondering how online communication and collaboration tools might help your business? You don’t even need a credit card to try Google Apps for Business. It’s free for 30 days for up to 10 users – just fill out this quick form to create your account.”
Does this mean you can only “try” the free version for 30 days before needing to purchase Google Apps for Business? Or have they changed the web page for the free, non-trial version that I signed up for last year for my site? Thanks Crystal & Savvy Blogging Team!
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Camille Reply:
May 9th, 2012 at 1:47 am
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