Gmail so far is the best known e-mail service provider. I don’t have to list the features of Gmail here.
If you want to have google powered applications (especially Gmail) but using your own domain, you have come to the right place. You can do that with Google Apps (standard edition)
With standard edition (there is premier edition for big corp), you can create 50 email accounts with 7GB space for free and other standard google applications like docs, calendar, chat and google sites.
Below is the steps to start using Gmail with your very own domain name. Very easy.
1. Start here – list of what you get besides gmail. Click on the “Get Started” button
2. Enter your domain name and other details in the provided form.
3. Create admin account and agree with the term
4. Activate gmail and change MX records in cPanel (you can choose from a list of hosting management applications). change MX in cpanel use following values
Priority |
Mail Server |
1 |
ASPMX.L.GOOGLE.COM. |
5 |
ALT1.ASPMX.L.GOOGLE.COM. |
5 |
ALT2.ASPMX.L.GOOGLE.COM. |
10 |
ASPMX2.GOOGLEMAIL.COM. |
10 |
ASPMX3.GOOGLEMAIL.COM. |
source
At first I thought it was so complicated because I need to change the MX record, then all the A’s records, then CNAME and then other xx records but actually you have to change only MX record and it is in you hosting cPanel (not even in the domain management).
After changing your MX record, you are done. Wait for few hours (sometimes just in few minutes). You can also use all other applications offered as in the intro page.
To log on to your email and other app, just point your browser to
http://www.google.com/a/your_domain_here/
Direct link to email is http://mail.google.com/a/your-domain.com
It is a good idea to make a forwarding or subdomain from your domain to above URL. Easier to remember..
Update: To import all your old emails, you can use mail fetcher by going to Settings > Accounts > Add a mail account you own. Tips for cpanel user, if you are using same email address with same domain, just enter any email address when asked. The important thing is use the real email address in the username. Save and wait while all old emails being fetched.
Hope this article helps. All the best.
For more info, can also check google app setup guide