How to Use Gmail with Your Custom Domain (For Free)

Basically, you’ll just forward all the mail from you@yourdomain.org to a Gmail account, and change a setting so outgoing mail says you@yourdomain.org too. That’s it! So let’s jump right in.

1) Create a Gmail account:

• Here’s how to make the account:

1. Visit the Gmail sign-up page and pick a new email address. name.organization@gmail.com usually works well.
2. Follow the rest of the steps to create your account, and sign in.

2) Create your custom email and forward it:

Below are the instructions for each of those hosts. If you use a different host, look at the Hostgator instructions–chances are your host uses the same interface.

HOSTGATOR

1. Log into cPanel
2. In the Mail section, click Forwarders
3. Under the Email Account Forwarders section, Click Add Forwarder
4. Type in the Address to forwarding (you@yourdomain.org)
5. Select “Forward to email address” (you.organization@gmail.com)
6. Click Add Forwarder

GODADDY

1. Login to your account and click your name in the top-right.
2. Select My Products from the drop-down
3. Click the Manage button next to Workspace Email
4. Click Create Forward
5. Under Forward, this email address, type the address you want to forward (you@yourdomain.org)
6. To these email addresses, add your Gmail address
7. Click Create

BLUEHOST

1. Login to your Bluehost account
2. Under the hosting section click the email link
3. Click the forwarding link
4. Click the add email button
5. Enter the address you would like to be forwarded. (you@yourdomain.org)
6. Choose your new Gmail as the destination for the forwarded email
7. Click submit

1&1

1. Log in to your 1&1 Control Panel and select the relevant package
2. Click the Manage E-mail Addresses link from the Mail panel
3. Click the Set up forwards link located in the right corner of the page
4. Choose a name and domain for the forwarding address (you@yourdomain.org)
5. Type your Gmail into the Forward Target(s) box
6. Click Save

3) Enable Gmail to send as yourdomain.org:

This step will allow you to send email as you@yourdomain.org using Gmail’s SMTP servers.

1. Go to this link. If you can enable “Less secure apps,” do so. If you get an error, go here to create an app-specific password.
2. Return to Gmail, click the gear icon, then Settings
3. Click Accounts and Import, then Add another email address in the Send mail as section
4. Enter your name and you@yourdomain.org, allow Treat as an alias and then Next Step
5. Enter the following credentials:
6. SMTP Server: smtp.gmail.com
7. Username: The part of your Gmail address that comes before “@gmail.com”
8. Password: Your Gmail or App-specific password
9. Port: 587 or 465

Secure connection using: TLS for 587, SSL for 465

4) Final Configuration

1. You’ll be sent an email with a verification link. Make sure to click it to enable your new address.
2. Once you are returned to the Settings page, click Make default next to your new, custom email.
3. Send a friend an email to test outgoing messages
4. Have them send you a message to confirm incoming messages
5. And that’s it! You now have Gmail with your own domain for free!
6. If you have any issues, comment below and I’ll do my best to fix them with you.