Link Your Domain
Table of Contents:
Arguably the most important step - linking your domain. In this guide, I'll show you how to link your domain and where to go to troubleshoot if linking isn't working. Porkbun is my domain provider, so I will be basing this guide off their site. Procedures may vary depending on your domain provider.
Go to Google Sites here to create a site. You don't need to start building the layout right now, but you just need the site up so you can link the domain.
Help! It's not working!
If you're ever in doubt, stuck, or lost, don't be afraid to contact your domain provider's tech support (or a generous IT friend / family member). Most offer generous domain / website support because for you to keep buying their product (domain names), you need to be able to use it.
Otherwise, revisit the guide and see if you missed a step. The process from domain provider to domain provider will vary.
In this guide, I will be using Porkbun.com and my steps will reflect linkage from their site. I use them because they're a small USA company and I've found their pricing to be agreeable. I cannot speak to how other domain sellers work.
Porkbun offers support during these hours by toll free phone.
How to connect your Porkbun Domain to Google Sites
This guide on Porkbun.com will tell you how to link your domain.
Do not use TXT verification, use CNAME instead. See the guide below this section for how to do that.
Note: once you perform the steps, it might take extra time for everything to link up. I needed to leave my site for 10 minutes to an hour.
Note: Google Sites has changed the menus for linking your domain. It's more straightforward now. They cover the CNAME part described in this Porkbun Guide. You still need to go directly to Google's Webmaster Central to verify ownership of your specific domain name (the TXT portion of the guide, this is where you can use a CNAME record instead).
Otherwise, all the steps in this Porkbun guide must be followed for the domain to link up.
Verify Site Ownership on Google Webmaster and Porkbun.com using CNAME Record
I found that the TXT record didn't work, but the CNAME record did.
Step 1. Go to Webmaster Central
b) Make sure you are logged into the right Google Account in the top right corner; the account that contains your Google Site.
c) Click "Add a Property" and add your website URL.
Step 2. Verifying Ownership
a) Click "Alternative Methods".
b) Select "Domain Name Provider".
Note: The "Recommended Method" is new as of March 2021. I have not used it, so I cannot attest to how it works. This guide uses the old method of verification that I have used on this site and my portfolio in 2020 & 2021.
Step 3. Finding your Domain Name Provider
a) Select your provider.
b) If you have used Porkbun, they are not listed. Select "Other" at the bottom of the list.
Step 4. Go to CNAME Record
a) Go to "Add a CNAME record. It will change the menu.
Step 5. Copy the Label & Destination
Do not close this tab. The black bars have the unique string of letters and numbers that identify the website.
The red underlines indicate how much of each line you need for Porkbun.com's menus:
The CNAME Label needs just up to the end of "www".
The CNAME Destination needs the full line of text.
Step 6. Getting to your DNS Record from Porkbun's Domain Management
In the right most column, click on "Details" on the site you would like to verify ownership of.
Step 7. Open the DNS records
Step 8. Select CNAME under "Type"
Step 9. Add the Host and Answer Keys
a) (See Step 5) Return to Google Webmaster Central. Copy the red underlined text and insert it into the corresponding Host and Answer boxes.
b) Optional: Add a note to the record. "Google Sites Verification" or a short form like "g verif".
Step 10. Verify the record is added on Porkbun / your domain provider.
a) You should see the new record set.
b) Remember you still need to add the generic "googlehosted" record as seen in the Porkbun tutorial for site verification. See the first tutorial section above this one.
Step 11. Verify ownership on Google Webmaster Central.
a) Return to Webmaster Central and click "Verify".
b) If all goes well, your site should be verified instantaneously.
Note: sometimes internet connections can be slow and it won't happen right away. It should appear within a few minutes. If not, you will likely have to troubleshoot the problem.
Step 12. Add the domain name to your Google Site
Go to Google Sites here to create a website if you haven't already.
a) Return to your Google Site.
b) Click the Gear Icon on the top bar nearby "Publish".
c) Go to "Custom URLs"
d) Follow the menu prompts to add a non-google bought domain.
e) Add your domain name. If all is well, it will allow you to add it.
Note: It may take a few minutes for your website to be reachable by this new custom URL. If your site is still not up after 30 minutes to an hour, you may need to troubleshoot.
Troubleshoot by revisiting the Porkbun Google Site guide, or by contacting your domain provider's support phone/ email line, or by going to the Google Sites Help Forum to search for an answer or to ask a question.
