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Ed 520- Willamette U.

Own your Domain name

Mastering your own Domain name

Goals:  Buy a domain, point it at your Google Site, setup email addresses at your new domain
  1. Register your own domain with GoDaddy.com
         example: mrjonesteaches.com
  2. Prepare your Google Site to display when someone visits http://mrjonesteaches.com
  3. Point your GoDaddy domain to your Google Site so that http://mrjonesteaches.com takes a visitor directly to your Google Site.
  4. Add free email forwarding accounts for your new Domain so that you can receive email at info@mrjonesteaches.com or pd5alg@mrjonesteaches.com and it will forward to your existing gmail or other address.

Goal #1: Create and register your own domain name  (Cost: $9.95 / yr)
  • Select a Domain name you would like.
        Example: mrjonesteaches.com
  • Go to GoDaddy.com and make sure mrjonesteaches.com is available as a Domain name
    

    Once you have your Domain name selected, Create an Account as follows:
  • From the top navigation bar: Create Account
  • Enter client information
    • Example Login Name: jamesjones
    • Example Password: forget0000
    • Example PIN: 1234
  • Fill in the rest of the personal information, and select Create Account
  • GoDaddy will respond with your new Account ID.  For example, 12344321
  • Next, select a New Domain:
    • Example: mrjonesteaches.com
  • Proceed to Checkout -> Continue to Checkout
    • Continue through the Checkout Process without buying or opting for any of the Additional Services they offer.
    • Registration length: 1 yr (or more if you don't want to update every year)
    • Then, "No Thanks, ready to check out" -> Continue.
    • $10.19 (total after processing fee).
    • Credit Card -> Check Out Now
      • Enter your credit card information -> Check Out Now
      • GoDaddy will assign you a Customer # and Order #

  • Return to the GoDaddy home page and select the Domain Manager
    • Congratulations! You'll see your new domain and its expiration date, etc.

Goal #2: Modify your Google Site to display as your new domain name

        Example: http://sites.google.com/site/mrjonesteaches becomes http://mrjonesteaches.com
  • Sign in to Google Sites and make sure you have your Web Site already set up.
    • Preferably create the same Google Site name as your domain name, but it's not required.
      • Example Google Site name: mrjonesteaches
  • Select Site Settings -> Other Stuff  (see illustration below):


  • Then select Web Address and Add your new Domain (illustration below)
    • Example: www.mrjonesteaches.com (don't forget the www.)
Goal #3: Point your GoDaddy domain to your Google Site

Example: When someone types http://mrjonesteaches.com it will automatically be forwarded to your Google Site.
  • Return to your GoDaddy account
  • Locate the Domain Manager and Select your new Domain (double-click)
    • Example: mrjonesteaches.com
  • Locate the area called Total DNS
    • Click on the Total DNS Control and MX Records link
    • In the section titled CNAMES (Alises) you must delete the CNAME for www
      • (Place 'x' in left column, then under Action -> click the 'x' button)
      • Hit your browser Refresh until www disappears from the list.
    • Select Add a new CNAME Record (illustration below)
      • Alias: www
      • Point to Host Name: ghs.google.com
      • Hit OK
      • Wait a few minutes -> hit Refresh until proccess is resolved.
  • Return to the Domains tab and locate the Forwarding area.
    • Click on your Domain and open it up  (example: mrjonesteaches.com)
    • Enable Forwarding for www.mrjonesteaches.com (illustration below)

      OR
  • Hit OK -> wait a few minutes -> hit Refresh until process is resolved.
Goal #4: Add free email forwarding accounts for your new domain

Example:  james@mrjonesteaches.com will automatically forward to your Gmail account.
  • Return to your GoDaddy Account
  • Click on MY PRODUCTS (left side of page) and select the Email option.
  • Select Manage Email -> Email Forwarding Plans
  • Select Manage Account -> select the ADD button (see illustration below)
    • Add Forward: james@mrjonesteaches.com
    • Forward Mail to:  james77452@gmail.com (or whatever email account you wish)
      • Hit OK

Goal #5: Configure Gmail so Gmail can Send from username@mrjonesteaches.com

In Gmail, James can send a message that says its from james@mrjonesteaches.com rather than his regular Gmail address. This adds an unmistakable professionalism and helps people remember your email address.
  • Example: james@mrjonesteaches.com vs james77452@gmail.com
  • Login to your Gmail Account
  • Configure Gmail as follows:
  • Settings -> Accounts -> Send Mail As -> Add Another email address
    • Example: james@mrjonesteaches.com
  • Then, Send Verification -> Close Window and Check Verfication
  • Place a check in the INBOX and confirm YES to the new mail you received.
  • For proof this works, Compose -> Send a test email to yourself.

  • Optional: If someone sends an email to your new domain name you wish to Reply (from within Gmail), then the Reply from Same Address is important.
    • Gmail Settings -> Accounts -> select the account you just made and make it the DEFAULT if you wish.
    • IMPORTANT:  click the box: "Reply from the same address the message was sent to:"
    • The above step ensures that if someone sends an email to your new domain name, and you choose to reply, then the Reply comes from your domain name.