Assign a Custom URL (domain)
Verify domain ownership
- Go to the Google Search Console and ADD A PROPERTY
- Add the root-level domain, sometimes called the naked domain, with http:// prefixed to it (e.g. http://example.com) your site cannot use this address but you need to verify ownership of this domain.
- Verify your domain (not your Google Site) using the DNS provider method. Google Search Console will give you a value to add as a TXT record to your DNS records
Add DNS Records to your domain
- While editing your DNS records add the other DNS records you will need:
- Add a CNAME record of www (or the subdomain you want to use) that points to ghs.googlehosted.com.
- If your domain provider lets you redirect your naked domain to the subdomain address (e.g. make example.com redirect to www.example.com) then configure that
- Alternatively add an A record of @ (or your naked domain) that points to 174.129.25.170 (a free service from wwwizer.com)
- Once the root-level domain is verified (may take hours depending on how quickly your domain name provider updates its public DNS records) use the ADD A PROPERTY tool again to add the subdomain you want to use on your site again with https:// prefixed to it (e.g. https:// www .example.com). This will verify automatically as you have verified the root-level domain
Assign the custom URL
- Go to edit your site and use the three-dot More button at the top right and choose Custom URL
- Add the URL you want to use, e.g. www .example.com and use the ASSIGN button
- Once assigned it takes Google a little time to configure everything for your site at the back-end (in our experience normally 30 minutes) and the site will appear at the custom URL (provided you have published the site).
