How to Add a Custom Domain to Google Sites✅

Google Sites is a powerful and easy-to-use website builder perfect for portfolios, project pages, small business sites, and internal team pages. While the default domain for Google Sites uses a sites.google.com address, you can boost your brand and credibility by adding a custom domain (like www.yourdomain.com) to your site.

In this guide, you’ll learn how to connect a custom domain to Google Sites—step-by-step—with everything from domain verification to DNS settings.

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📌 Why Use a Custom Domain for Google Sites?

Here are a few strong reasons to use your own domain with Google Sites:

• Brand credibility – Visitors trust branded URLs more than generic ones.
• Professionalism – A custom domain shows that you take your project or business seriously.
• Better marketing & SEO – Clean, keyword-friendly URLs help in search rankings and brand recall.

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🔧 Prerequisites Before You Begin

Before you connect your custom domain to Google Sites, make sure:

• You have a published Google Site (new Google Sites, not classic).
• You own a custom domain name (from registrars like Google Domains, GoDaddy, Namecheap, etc.).
• You have access to Google Workspace or a personal Google Account.
• You can access your domain’s DNS settings from your domain registrar.

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🧭 Step-by-Step: How to Add a Custom Domain to Google Sites

🔹 Step 1: Publish Your Google Site

1. Open your site in Google Sites.

2. Click on the "Publish" button (top right).

3. Choose a unique site name (this can be temporary).

4. Click "Publish" again to finalize.

🔹 Step 2: Open Google Domains or Your Domain Registrar

If you bought your domain via Google Domains, the process is streamlined.

• Visit Google Domains and log in with the same Google Account.
• If you used another registrar (like GoDaddy), log in to that platform and navigate to the DNS management settings.

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🔹 Step 3: Connect Your Domain in Google Sites

1. Go back to your Google Site editor.

2. Click the Settings (gear icon) > Custom domains > Start setup.

3. Choose "Use a domain from a third party" or "Use a domain from Google Domains", depending on where you registered your domain.

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🔹 Step 4: Verify Domain Ownership (If Not on Google Domains)

If your domain is from another registrar, you’ll need to verify ownership:

1. Google will ask you to verify ownership via the Search Console.

2. Choose the domain property and follow the instructions to add a TXT record to your DNS.

3. Go to your domain registrar and add the TXT record provided by Google.

4. Wait for DNS propagation (usually within minutes to a few hours), then return to the Search Console and click “Verify.”

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🔹 Step 5: Update DNS Records

Google will now ask you to update your domain’s DNS settings:

1. Add a CNAME record pointing www to ghs.googlehosted.com.

2. (Optional) Set up redirects for non-www to www (your registrar may offer this feature).

3. Save changes.

👉 If you're using Google Domains, these records can often be added automatically.

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🔹 Step 6: Finalize Connection in Google Sites

1. Return to your Google Site settings > Custom domains.

2. Enter your full custom domain (e.g., www.example.com) and click Next.

3. Google will check the DNS records. If everything is correct, you’ll see a success message.

4. Click Done to connect the domain.

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✅ Pro Tips for Google Sites with Custom Domain

• Always use HTTPS – Google Sites supports SSL automatically when you connect a domain.
• Mobile optimization – Google Sites are responsive by default, but test your site on different devices.
• Use Google Analytics – You can integrate analytics to track visitors.
• Redirect non-www to www – This ensures all users land on the correct site version.

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❓ Common Issues & Troubleshooting

Issue	Fix
Domain not verifying	Double-check TXT record and wait for DNS propagation
CNAME error	Ensure the record is exactly www -> ghs.googlehosted.com
Site not loading	Make sure the domain is published in Google Sites and DNS is set correctly
Redirect from non-www not working	Use your domain registrar's redirect settings

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🔍 SEO Tip: Optimize Your Google Site After Domain Setup

Once your domain is connected, improve SEO by:

• Writing unique, keyword-rich content
• Adding descriptive page titles and meta descriptions
• Using clean, readable URLs
• Linking your site with Google Search Console and submitting a sitemap

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📝 Final Thoughts

Adding a custom domain to your Google Site is one of the best ways to present a professional and branded presence online. Whether you're building a personal portfolio, business site, or a resource hub, this guide should get you connected quickly and reliably.

If you're stuck at any point, Google's support documentation and your domain registrar’s help center can provide further assistance.