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
From the lower-left of your Format sidebar, navigate to 'Settings'
Click 'Domain and Email'
Scroll down to the Format Address area
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)Website Domain: your website can always be accessed through your Format address (in this example
https://jane-dovercourt.format.com
)Click 'Connect Your Domain' to access and enter your existing custom domain name (see screenshot below)
Add your existing Custom Domain Name
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
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)
Click 'Save Changes'
Failed Connection
Failed Connections happen when the correct connection settings have not been sent, or propagated (updated) from your domain registrar
We are unable to access your Google Account for security reasons so please follow the instructions below to connect from Google Domains
'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.
Click 'DNS' from the sidebar
Go to Custom records area
Add www CNAME
'Host name' name enter www
Use 'Type' dropdown to select CNAME
In the 'Data' field, add the Format Address
Click 'Create new record' button
Add A Record and IP Address
In the second row, leave 'Host name' empty
Use 'Type' dropdown to select A
Add the IP address exactly as
174.129.25.170
then 'Save'
DNS Settings active
Confirmation message that DNS settings are active. Changes are published immediately, but may take time to propagate
Custom records added and showing saved
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)
Click 'Manage custom records' if you need to edit what you have added already
Click 'Website' in the left sidebar
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
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.