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Buy a Domain Name

Getting a custom web address is the rite of passage for many new businesses. Get a .com .net .org or other TLD to publish your Google Site live on the web. You can connect a domain to Google for free.

Why Register a Custom Domain?

Google Sites by default have a sites.google.com web address that can be lengthy or difficult to remember. Here are some reasons to consider purchasing a domain to launch your website:

It creates a memorable brand for visitors
It indicates a professional, legitimate business
It helps with SEO to have your own primary domain instead of a subdirectory of sites.google.com
It's honestly really cheap ($0-$20/year on average)
It's easy to add one to your Google Sites
You'll want one anyway for business email addresses (user@yourdomain.com)

How to Connect a Custom Domain to Your Google Sites

There are two paths for adding a unique domain to Sites. Google support connecting a domain URL via non-Google Workspace accounts and Google Workspace accounts.

Instructions for using a free personal Google or Gmail account

Go to your Google Site location from sites.google.com or drive.google.com, you should be in edit mode on the site. Note: only site owners can connect a domain.
Click Settings ⚙️ > Custom domains
Start setup to configure the settings to link the domain to your Site. If you haven't validated your domain ownership via Google Search Console, you will be required to complete that first.
Click next until the setup is complete. Note: if you had to first validate your domain, you will need to close and restart the setup wizard in Sites.
Confirm your site's Publish settings and Sharing settings. Only Google Sites websites accessible to the public will map the custom URL.

Instructions for using a Google Workspace account and Google Site located within a Google Workspace domain

The format for Google Sites properties within a Google Workspace domain is sites.google.com/domain.com/siteURL or sites.google.com/a/domain.com/siteURL in the case of a migrated Classic Google Site. Custom mapping of Google Sites requires admin inputs in the Google Workspace admin console.

Open your Google Site and take note of your published URL
Then open the Google Workspace admin console. Navigate to Apps > Google Workspace > Sites
Expand Custom URL
Review existing Google Sites custom URLs and delete any conflicting configurations
Click ➕ to add a new property URL. Enter your Sites URL per the suggested formatting: sites.google.com/domain.com/siteurl
Click next and add your subdomain, such as www or wiki
Confirm your entry is valid and complete. Sometimes letters may be cut off if you moved too quickly through the previous screen.

Add custom URL settings, setup walkthrough

Help with DNS Settings - Assigning a custom URL domain web address

If you are having trouble navigating DNS settings, nameservers or web hosting configurations, you can contact your domain registrar for support. While speaking with their support representatives, keep in mind you don't need a A record or IP address for Google Sites. It operates purely on a subdomain with a CNAME entry. For example, the host/subdomain www mapped to the data ghs.googlehosted.com. You cannot directly map the root, or naked domain, to Google Sites. For this reason, many choose to forward that naked domain using DNS forwarding settings.

Here are the official Google Sites instructions on using a custom domain for your site. This should help you troubleshoot any issues with the connection process.

Squarespace Domains customers, please review this particular domain registrar's guidance on connecting a website using their DNS. The user experience may be different from Google Domains which you were familiar with.

Support by Registrar

Searching for help connecting your Google Site according to a specific domain name registrar? DNS settings, forwarding options and website connection services different between company.

Transfer Your Domain

Not all domain registrars are created equal. You may want to consider transferring your domains for several legitimate reasons. Here are some of the most common benefits for transferring a domain:

Ease of Use: The user interface for managing domains can vary wildly. Google Domains was praised for its clean design and simple approach to domain management. Now other companies have followed suit, providing an experience for DNS control you don't need a web developer for.
Consolidation: It makes sense to bring all your domains under the same umbrella to simplify billing. A familiar dashboard can streamline future processes, saving time and money.
Google Sites Support: Since Google Sites doesn't operate with A records or IP addresses, you'll want support to add CNAMEs and domain forwarding. Make sure your registrar has options for a website without a naked domain. 301 redirects can save you a lot of headaches from visitor 404 errors.

What is Google Domains?

Google Domains is a service of Google Inc. acting as a registrar for domain name registration. Millions of customers purchased domains with Google as part of their Google Workspace sign up or independently. Google Domains was praised for its user-friendly interface for domain name services and management. It was primarily used for:

Buy new domain names with all popular TLDs at a fair price
Domain name DNS management
Domain transfer and renewal services
Easy access to business tools like Google Workspace and Google Sites
Adding primary, secondary and domain aliases to Workspace accounts and tying to email addresses

Google Domains vs Squarespace Domains

Squarespace acquired Google Domains for $180 million, with the agreement first announced on June 15, 2023. The acquisition was finalized on September 7, 2023. This transaction included approximately 10 million domains managed by Google Domains. During the transition period, customers will continue managing their domains through Google Domains until they are fully migrated to Squarespace's platform. Squarespace has committed to honoring Google Domains' renewal prices for at least one year after the deal's closure.

All of customer's existing DNS records, including those associated with Google Sites should have been transferred. If you experience any interruption in service, contact Squarespace support services. Google Workspace with its MX records should have seamlessly migrated as well.

Frequent support issues for those migrated to Squarespace include:

Website 404 error because of a misunderstanding with using an IP address for Google Sites, when only a Cname is supported
Incorrect forwarding due to lack of a forwarding rule on the website settings section

Popular Domains and TLDs in 2025

A TLD is the suffix on a domain name. The most common TLDs are .com .net .org, but there are also emerging extensions that quickly allow browsers to identify the related industry of your website. Here are trending domain names for 2025 that you can register right now:

.io is popular for tech apps, developers, entrepreneurs and more. It references tech with IO as binary for on and off. Anything tech, coding, or support can benefit from these special TLD.
.dev is similar to .io, but is even more clearly associated with all kinds of development. App developers, website developers and programmers.
.co is an easy alternative to .com domains which may be all bought up. Obviously it evokes a company vibe.
.shop is hugely popular for ecommerce sites although you might see it more commonly used as a subdomain.

FAQ

Do I need to buy hosting for my site?

No. Your Google Site is hosted by Google in Google Drive at ghs.googlehosted.com.

Does Google sell domains?

No. You can't buy a domain directly from Google anymore. Google Domains changed hands to Squarespace.

Do I need to buy an SSL certificate?

No. Google Sites comes with its own native SSL certificate and third-party certificates are not supported.

How do I connect a primary and secondary domain address to Google Sites?

Instructions to a map a URL

Do you get a domain with Google Sites?

This is a separate transaction that can be completed with any vendor selling domains. There is no longer an option to buy and connect a Google Domains domain with Sites directly.

How to create a URL for Google Sites?

When you hit the publish button for the first time, you are required to enter an extension of your long Google Sites URL.

How to complete verification of a domain for Google Sites?

This is a process completed with Google Search Console. You can login to many domain hosts via this interface or upload a TXT record to verify your ownership.

What to do if you domain isn't working?

Troubleshoot your issue with domain registrar support, support articles or other DNS tools like MXtoolbox.

How do I setup domain forwarding for URL without www?

If you website isn't loading without www that is because you need to set up domain forwarding. Typically this option is available within DNS configuration and forwarding settings for your domain in your registrar account dashboard. Search for information about forwarding the root domain, naked domain or 301 redirecting a domain.

Do I get a free domain with Google?

Technically you get a free domain, but it is only a subdirectory of sites.google.com. The format is sites.google.com/view/published-address and therefore URLs can become particularly long and hard to remember, seeming unprofessional.

Google doesn't sell free or paid domains any longer since the acquisition of Google Domains by Squarespace. So if you want a custom domain, you'll need to buy one and begin the configuration and installation process. There is no checkout process for a domain through Google Sites, but there is for Google Workspace via their partner Squarespace.

What do I do since my domain transferred to Squarespace?

There should be no need to take action to your Google Sites settings if your domain moved from Google Domains to Squarespace domains. All DNS records are transferred automatically, including CNAME records. Reviewing your forwarding rules just in case, which is managed in the "Website" settings page.

What is the format of Google Sites default URLs?

sites.google.com is the default format, followed by /view or /yourdomain.tld depending on properties within or without Google Workspace. Sites always receive a default domain to access the site via Google Sites or Google Drive. This allows editors to access the site via pencil icon in the bottom right.

According to user feedback, what is the best registrar to use to connect to a Google Site?

We have heard overwhelmingly positive comments about the ease of using Namecheap for Google Sites hosting. Overall, the user experience across registrars and their support of domain forwarding is very similar. Therefore, it you like your old registrar just fine, then consolidate all your domains their for simple DNS management.

Is there special support with Squarespace on Google Sites since they bought out Google Domains?

No. The streamlined connection process that was previously available between Google Sites and Google Domains was taken offline. This was a disappointment to many who enjoy the quick setup procedure that used to be contained right in the custom domain settings of Sites.

How do I connect a domain I purchased through Google Workspace to Google Sites?

If you purchased a domain when registering for Google Workspace, it would be through a third party vendor like Squarespace or eNom that your DNS is actually managed. Here are the instructions to access the advanced DNS:

Login as a super administrator to Google Workspace
Go to Domains and select your domain name. It can be primary or secondary.
On the right panel click the link to manage the domain using your same Google account
Depending on your registrar now, refer to general set up guidelines

How do I access my Google Domains account?

Use your Google account to login to Squarespace Domains. All your account and sign in information was transferred to Squarespace. This is all part of the customer transition. When you log into Squarespace, use the "Continue with Google" option and select the domain owning account.

If you purchased your domain with Google Workspace, you will see the domain owner's account mentioned within the admin console's domains, advanced DNS panel. Here are the levels of access available:

Manage DNS records like CNAME, A, TXT, MX, etc.
Create forwarding rules for domains and subdomains
Cancel your Google Domain subscription
Renew your domain and manage billing

How much does it cost to buy a domain for Google?

Most domains are sold for $10-$20. Popular generic .com or .net TLDs without prior authority or premium status usually fit within this price range. However, some registrar promotions and TLDs may result in cheaper domain prices, even $0.99. Other TLDs are more expensive for industry specific extensions.

Can you add multiple domains to a single Google Site?

Yes, however it's important to understand the ramifications for doing so. Multiple domains using the exact same information will cause a conflict known as duplicate content non-canonical. If you use Google Search Console you'll notice notifications like this affecting indexing. Google Search has previously reduced the impact of keyword specific domain names. So you'll see little to no benefit for hyper-specific marketing strategies involving domains, like those involving localization.

What Happened to Google Domains when it was acquired by Squarespace?

There should be no interruption in service, website uptime or email connectivity. This is merely a change of hands for the domains and might only present a minor inconvenience for adjusting to a different user experience.

How to manage domains in Google Workspace

You can add multiple domains to Google Workspace. You will first need to verify ownership a primary domain, but afterwards you can add secondary domains and domain aliases. Here are the options in the admin console > Account > Domains.

First check the table for managing domains. Here you can add a domain, change the primary domain, set up redirects, and delete domains. You'll also find instructions for verifying the status of domains and properly setting up DNS like MX records and CNAME records. Remember you'll need access to your domain registrar for these actions.

Secondary domains are useful for organizing separate teams of users and this has an associated license cost. A domain alias just gives existing users alternate email addresses for free.

What special domains are available from the Google registry?

Searching for a unique domain as your web property? New top level domains are being released every year. Google is expanding the list of options for registering new domain name. The newest is released February 3, 2025 is .channel. There are tons of creative options for your TLD. Check out some of the available domains:

.meme
.app
.ing
.dev
.page
.new

Stay tuned for upcoming domain launches and work with domain registrar partners to purchase them.

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