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How to Point Google Domains to HostGator and Maintain Email Reception Continuity?

DNS Configuration| Domain Mangement| Email Hosting
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Welcome to this blog post, where we embark on a journey to seamlessly transition your website and email services from Google Domains to Hostgator. We understand that this is a significant step in your online presence management, so we’ve split this guide into two parts to ensure clarity and simplicity in the process.

In Part 1, we’ll focus on the essential task of pointing your Google Domain to your Hostgator hosting. This step is pivotal in allowing visitors to access your website seamlessly when they enter your domain in a web browser. We’ll walk you through the process, providing step-by-step instructions and tips to make this transition as smooth as possible.

Now, here’s the exciting part: while your website’s continuity is vital, so is the uninterrupted flow of your email communications. That’s why we’ve dedicated a second part to this guide titled “Setting MX Records in Hostgator.” In Part 2, we’ll delve into the critical configuration of MX (Mail Exchange) records to ensure that your email reception remains uninterrupted throughout the migration process.

So, let’s dive into the first part: Pointing your Google Domain to Hostgator. Once you’ve successfully completed this step, you’ll be well on your way to a successful website transition. And if you’re keen on maintaining email continuity, remember to check out Part 2 of this guide.

When you change the DNS records of your Google domain to point to a new hosting provider, it can affect other services associated with your domain, including email services. To ensure that your Google Workspace (formerly G Suite) email continues to work seamlessly, you'll need to update your MX records with the new hosting provider (HostGator) to point back to Google's email servers.

Table of Contents

Point Google Domain to Hostgator

Before You Begin:

  • Make sure you have access to your Google Domain account and your Hostgator hosting account.
  • Be prepared to wait for DNS changes to propagate, which can take up to 48 hours.

Step 1: Log in to Your Google Domain Account

  1. Go to the Google Domains website (domains.google).
  2. Log in to your Google account if you aren’t already logged in.
  3. Find and select the domain name that you want to point to Hostgator.

Step 2: Access DNS Settings

In your domain dashboard, look for the “DNS” or “DNS Settings” option. Click on it to access your domain’s DNS settings. 

Step 3: Update DNS Records

In the DNS settings, locate the DNS records section. Locate the part that says, “Custom Name Servers. Here, you’ll need to make changes to specific DNS records to point your domain to Hostgator.
You will see the option to enter NS1, NS2 etc.

Step 4: Edit or Add DNS Records

  • You can find Hostgator’s Nameservers in your hosting account dashboard or Cpanel
  • If you want to point the domain to your Hostgator website, edit or add your nameservers’ record as the host and point it to your Hostgator hosting.

Step 5: Save Your DNS Changes

After making the necessary changes, save your DNS settings. This may involve clicking a “Save” or “Save Changes” button, depending on how it’s display for you.

Step 6: Activate the Current Custom Name Servers

You receive a notification banner at the DNS section of the google domain to activate the new DNS for use for the particular domain you are pointing.

Step 7: Wait for DNS Propagation

DNS changes can take some time to propagate throughout the internet. It might be immediate for some users, but it can take up to 48 hours for changes to be fully effective worldwide. During this period, some users may see the old website, while others see the new one.

Step 8: Verify Domain Pointing

To verify that your Google Domain now points to Hostgator, you can use online DNS lookup tools or simply try accessing your domain in a web browser to see if it loads your Hostgator-hosted website.

Step 9: Configure Hostgator Settings (if necessary)

In your Hostgator hosting account, you may need to configure your hosting settings to recognize the domain. This could include adding the domain to your hosting account or setting it as the primary domain.
This can be done by going to the domain section in your CPanel and add the domain name there.

Step 10: Test Your Website

After DNS propagation is complete and your Hostgator settings are configured, thoroughly test your website to ensure that everything is functioning correctly.

Congratulations! Your Google Domain is now successfully pointing to Hostgator. Visitors to your domain will now be directed to your Hostgator-hosted website.

Setting MX Records in Hostgator

When you change the DNS records of your domain to point to a new hosting provider, it can affect other services associated with your domain, including email services. To ensure that your Google Workspace (formerly G Suite) email continues to work seamlessly, you’ll need to update your DNS records with the new hosting provider (Hostgator) to point back to Google’s email servers.

1. Log in to Your Hostgator Account:

Log in to your Hostgator hosting account’s control panel. This is typically done through cPanel.

2. Locate DNS Settings:

Look for DNS settings or DNS Zone Editor in your Hostgator control panel. The specific name of this option may vary depending on the hosting provider’s interface.

3. Update DNS Records:

You’ll need to update the DNS records related to email (MX records) to point back to Google’s email servers. Google provides specific MX records for your domain, and you can find them in your Google Workspace admin console. Here’s how to locate them:

  • Log in to your Google Workspace admin console.
  • Go to “Domains” and select your domain.
  • Look for the “Domain settings” section, and you should find the MX records provided by Google.

4. Enter Google MX Records:

In your Hostgator DNS settings, replace the existing MX records with the MX records provided by Google. Ensure that you set the priority values correctly as specified by Google.

For example, Google’s MX records is typically something like this:

Priority 1: ASPMX.L.GOOGLE.COM
Priority 5: ALT1.ASPMX.L.GOOGLE.COM
Priority 5: ALT2.ASPMX.L.GOOGLE.COM
Priority 10: ALT3.ASPMX.L.GOOGLE.COM
Priority 10: ALT4.ASPMX.L.GOOGLE.COM

5. Ensure Records Have Been Entered:

Click on manage for the domain to ensure that the MX Records have been registered.

6. Propagation Time:

DNS changes may take some time to propagate across the internet. It can take anywhere from a few minutes for some users to hours for other users and to 48 hours tops for these changes to fully propagate. During this time, you may experience intermittent email service interruptions.

Check propagation using MX Toolbox

7. Test Your Email:

After DNS propagation is complete, test your email to ensure that it is functioning correctly. You should be able to send and receive emails through Google Workspace.

By following these steps, you should be able to point your domain’s email service back to Google Workspace while hosting your website with Hostgator. If you encounter any issues or have specific questions about Hostgator’s control panel, it’s a good idea to reach out to their customer support for assistance with DNS record updates.

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DNS Configuration# DNS Records# DNS Settings# Domain Email# Domain Management# Email Continuity# Email Hosting# Email Migration# Email Reception# Google Domain Hosting# Google Domains# Google Workspace# Hostgator# Hostgator Hosting# Web Hosting

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