Using Google Apps (Gmail) for Domain Email
Sometimes it can be advantageous to use Google Apps (Gmail) to manage your domain email. Google currently offers generous allowances, including up to 50 accounts per domain and 7GB of mailbox storage per user.
Getting Started
- Sign up for Google Apps (Standard Edition is free): Google Apps Signup
- Follow the instructions to set up your account.
- Modify the MX records for your domain to point to Google’s mail servers.
Windows Hosting Customers (Plesk)
- Log in to your Plesk Control Panel.
- Delete any existing email accounts, forwarders, or aliases for the domain.
- Open the DNS Settings for your domain.
- Remove any existing MX records and any
mailA record entries. - Add the following MX records:
| Record Type | Host | Mail Server | Priority |
|---|---|---|---|
| MX | @ | ASPMX.L.GOOGLE.COM. | 10 |
| MX | @ | ALT1.ASPMX.L.GOOGLE.COM. | 20 |
| MX | @ | ALT2.ASPMX.L.GOOGLE.COM. | 20 |
| MX | @ | ASPMX2.GOOGLEMAIL.COM. | 30 |
| MX | @ | ASPMX3.GOOGLEMAIL.COM. | 30 |
| MX | @ | ASPMX4.GOOGLEMAIL.COM. | 30 |
| MX | @ | ASPMX5.GOOGLEMAIL.COM. | 30 |
Linux Hosting Customers (cPanel)
- Delete any existing email accounts, forwarders, or mailing lists in cPanel.
- Click on MX Entry.
- Under Email Routing, select Remote Mail Exchanger and click Change.
- Delete existing MX records if present.
- Add the same MX records listed above.
Domain Management Only (Non-Hosting Customers)
Ensure your domain nameservers are set to:
- dns1.name-services.com
- dns2.name-services.com
- dns3.name-services.com
- dns4.name-services.com
- dns5.name-services.com
Then use DNS Management to add the same MX records listed above. Once complete, contact Fast2Host to set the record priorities for you, as this is not currently possible via the client area.
ℹ Tip: Updating MX records to Google’s servers allows you to use Gmail for your domain email.
Always verify MX record changes have propagated before testing email delivery.