Want to use Gmail with your own domain? Gmail is a free email provider which is not only easy to use but extremely convenient. Gmail can be used on almost any device, with apps available for iOS and Android. However, using an @gmail.com email address doesn’t look very professional.
The ideal solution would be to use the Gmail application with your own domain name. Well, the good news is that you can do this! Not only can you use Gmail with your own domain, but it’s also easy and free to do.
There are two methods in which you can use Gmail with your domain, including:
- Free – If you already have email hosting from an email hosting provider or your web host, you can connect your own domain to Gmail using SMTP/POP3.
- Google Workspace – Formerly known as G Suite, Google Workspace is a paid service that allows you to have a Gmail account for your domain name as well as other benefits like cloud storage.
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How to Use Gmail with Your Own Domain for Free
This beginner’s guide will take you through the setup process of connecting your custom domain to your Gmail account, for free. This allows you to use Gmail to send emails from your @gmail.com email address, or from your custom domain email address.
Before we begin, you’ll first need email hosting for your domain name. Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. We’ll show you a quick and easy method to getting your own email hosting at an affordable cost through one of our recommended email hosting providers, Bluehost.
1. Set Up Your Email Hosting
To use Gmail with your own domain, you’ll first need a domain and subsequent email hosting in order to be able to use it. We highly recommend Bluehost for your hosting needs as they provide cheap web hosting and email hosting. They are also incredibly easy to use, and we’re going to show you how!
Bluehost’s shared hosting plans start from just $3.95 per month. This includes a free domain name for 1-year website hosting with 50GB SSD storage and email hosting. If you don’t require website hosting because you don’t have a website, then you have the option of purchasing email hosting via your domain registrar.
2. Create a Free Gmail Account
You’ll need to create a free Gmail account to be able to use your own domain with it. If you already have a Gmail account, you can use your existing account. If not, you can create a new one for free.
Note: If you already receive a lot of emails through your Gmail account, you may want to consider creating a new one to link to your custom domain. Remember, your emails will be mixed in together, so creating a new Gmail account may be simpler.
3. Create Your Custom Email Address
Next, you’ll need to create your custom email address via your email hosting account. If you’re using Bluehost like I am, you need to login to your Bluehost Portal and select Email & Office from the menu navigation bar.
With Bluehost, you have the choice of using Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace. For now, we’ll use Microsoft 365 as we’ll talk through Google Workspace later on. Once you’ve created your email account with your @sitename.com domain, you can move on to the next step.
4. Allow Gmail to Use POP3
By allowing your Gmail account to accept POP3, you’ll be able to import emails to Gmail from your email hosting. To get started, you’ll need to find your POP3 settings. For Bluehost customers, these are located under the Connect Devices tab when editing your email account.
If your email hosting is elsewhere (not through Bluehost), then you’ll need to check your service’s documentation or speak to their customer support to find out the POP3 information.
Next up, you’ll need to access your Gmail settings by following these simple steps:
- Select the Gear icon in the top-right corner of your Gmail account
- Select All Settings
- Navigate to Accounts and Import
- Select the Check mail for other accounts setting
- Click Add a mail account
- Enter your custom email address
- Choose Import emails from my other account (POP3)
- Username (this is usually your full email address)
- Password (the password you set when creating your email address)
- POP Server and Port (obtain this information from your email host)
- Tick the Leave a copy box
- Tick the Always use a secure connection box
- Add a label (optional)
- Click Add Account to finish
5. Allow Gmail to Use SMTP
You should now be able to see emails from your custom domain in your Gmail account. But before replying to them, you’ll need to configure your Gmail account to send emails through your custom email’s SMTP server.
Your SMTP information can usually be found where you found your POP3 information was located. Again, if you can’t find this, contact your email host for more information.
Now that you have your SMTP information, follow the steps below:
- Navigate to the Accounts and Import area of your Gmail account settings
- Choose the Send mail as setting
- Click Add another email
- Enter your name
- Enter your custom email address
- Tick the box for Treat as an alias
- SMTP Server and Port (obtain this information from your email host)
- Username (this is usually your full email address)
- Password (the password you set when creating your email address)
- Chose the Secured connection that Gmail recommends
- Click Add Account
How to Use Gmail with Your Own Domain for via Google Workspace
Google Workspace is an entire business suite. Every plan includes access to Gmail, Google Drive, Google Meet, Google Calendar, Google Chat, Google Docs, and much more. When you sign up to Google Workspace you’ll get a custom and secure business email, cloud storage, and other features depending on the plan you choose.
Google Workspace is ideal for businesses who want to share files easily with one another. It’s a great service, but the one downside is that you have to pay for it. The Business Starter plan costs $6 per month, per user, so if you want it just for yourself, you’ll only be paying $6.
1. Create a Google Workspace Account
To create a Google Workspace account, you’ll need to visit the Google Workspace website and follow the account setup wizard. Here you’ll be asked for your custom domain details, as well as the option to purchase a new domain if you want to use another one.
Once you’ve filled out the information required, your Google Workspace account will be created and you’re ready to proceed to the next step.
2. Verify Your Domain With Google Workspace
In order to verify your domain with Google Workspace, you’ll need to add a TXT record to your domain. You can either do this via your web host if your domain name is pointed to your host’s nameservers or through your domain registrar.
3. Add MX Records
Once your domain name has been verified, you need to add an MX record so that Google Workspace can manage the email for your domain name. You can do this via the same interface you used to add the TXT record.
Many web hosts like SiteGround actually have a Google MX tool to make the process simpler. Again, if you’re confused by where any of this information is, contact your web host or domain registrar for assistance.
Once you’ve done this, you’re all set to use Google Workspace with your custom domain.
Using Gmail With Your Domain
While the above steps may seem like a lot of information, they should be very simple to follow, taking just a few minutes to set up. Here are my recommendations for using Gmail with your domain:
- Gmail – If you already have a website and email hosting, you can use a Gmail account for free
- Google Workspace – If you don’t already have email hosting, or you want to separate your custom email address from your Gmail account, Google Workspace is an extensive and affordable option