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Connect your Google Domains custom domain name
Connect your Google Domains custom domain name

Google custom domains can be connected to your site but we are unable to access your Google account to connect (for security reasons).

Updated over a week ago

When your Google domain is set up correctly yourdomain.com will load your Format site with https://www.yourdomain.com  showing in the web browser address (URL) bar.


This guide uses jane-dovercourt.format.com, janedovercourt.com and yourdomain.com as EXAMPLES ONLY. You will replace these with your own unique Format Address and Custom Domain Name.


Format Domain settings

  1. From the lower-left of your Format sidebar, navigate to 'Settings'

  2. Click 'Domain and Email'

  3. Scroll down to the Format Address area

  4. Replace the auto-generated Format Address with your own unique Format Address (it is best to match as closely as possible to your actual custom domain name (in this example jane-dovercourt without the .com or other .tld (top-level-domain extension)

  5. Website Domain: your website can always be accessed through your Format address (in this example https://jane-dovercourt.format.com )

  6. Click 'Connect Your Domain' to access and enter your existing custom domain name (see screenshot below)


Add your existing Custom Domain Name

  1. Add your unique existing custom domain name. If you have previously used the same domain name with another Format website it will not be possible to use this without it being disconnected from the other website, contact our support team

  2. Follow instructions to update your domain registrar/provider DNS Zone settings to connect to your Format site (you will sign in to your Google Domains account to complete the connection, see below)

  3. Click 'Save Changes'


Failed Connection

  1. Failed Connections happen when the correct connection settings have not been sent, or propagated (updated) from your domain registrar

  2. We are unable to access your Google Account for security reasons so please follow the instructions below to connect from Google Domains

  3. 'Save Changes'


Sign in to Google Domains

If you have more than one custom domain name registered with Google, select the one you want to connect to your Format site.

  1. Click 'DNS' from the sidebar

  2. Go to Custom records area


Add www CNAME

  1. 'Host name' name enter www

  2. Use 'Type' dropdown to select CNAME

  3. In the 'Data' field, add the Format Address

  4. Click 'Create new record' button


Add A Record and IP Address

  1. In the second row, leave 'Host name' empty

  2. Use 'Type' dropdown to select A

  3. Add the IP address exactly as 174.129.25.170 then 'Save'


DNS Settings active

  1. Confirmation message that DNS settings are active. Changes are published immediately, but may take time to propagate

  2. Custom records added and showing saved

  3. Name servers need to show 'Your domain is using Google Domain name servers' (this is the default so you shouldn't need to do anything normally here)

  4. Click 'Manage custom records' if you need to edit what you have added already

  1. Click 'Website' in the left sidebar

  2. A preview of your Format Portfolio Site should appear and notification that 'Domain has custom DNS set up'. You do not need to make any further changes.


Check domain connection

Changes made in your Google Domains account are not usually instant.

They may take up to 24 hours to fully propagate and connect.

It is best to check your connection after one day.

You will know that your domain connection is working when you enter yourdomain.com and your Format site loads with www.yourdomain.com in the address bar.

Be sure to check that www is visible in the address bar along with a 'secure padlock' icon.


Custom Domain Connection Confirmed

  1. Status updated to show as 'Connected'

Your custom domain should connect within 24 hours once all settings here, and the Google Domains DNS Zone records have been set correctly.


Still not working?

We are unable to log into Google Domains but reach us online at our live chat or via our email info@format.com and we can check and advise some options for you to try.

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