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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. If you used Namecheap to buy your domain, check out their tutorial.

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.

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.

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?

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. Google doesn't sell free or paid domains any longer since the acquisition of Google Domains by Squarespace.

What do I do since my domain transferred to Squarespace?

This should require no action to your Google Site since all DNS records are transferred.

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.