Setup of Google Apps when using Domain.com or MyDomain.com

I'm sharing this information on my blog because I have struggled through this a few different times over the past few years and I've searched online for a simple solution, only to find that others have the same issue but no solution.  So hopefully, if you are trying to setup Google Apps and your domain is registered with Domain.Com or MyDomain.Com, this post will be helpful to you.  At a minimum, it will be documented for the next time I have a need to do this again.

The first step in setting up Google Apps is to verify that you are the actual owner of the domain that you are setting up for use with Google Apps.  The method that is recommended for Google Apps verification is to create a DNS TXT record.  Google Apps will give you a sequence of characters that they want you to add as a DNS TXT record, and within about 2 hours (can take up to 72 hours, but not likely) your site can be verified.  Although Google provides specific instructions for several domain registrars, they do not provide any instructions for domains registered at domain.com or mydomain.com.

When you log into your domain.com or mydomain.com site, you'll select Manage Domains.  There will be a list of all the domains you own. Click the Domain that you want to setup with Google Apps.

On this Account Management screen, you'll see a section at the bottom called Other Services.  These Other Services include URL Forwarding, Email Forwarding, DNS Management, and Domain Locking Transfer Lock.  If it is your first time in, you'll be taken to the domain.com store to purchase these additional features.  These features are FREE, but you still have to go through the process to "Unlock" the features for you to use them.

Once you have purchased (they are Free) these features, click the MANAGE link next to DNS Management.  You should see something similar to this screen:

You will now cut-and-paste the TXT record that Google Apps requires you to create into the "Text Record / TXT" box.  You will leave the Sub Domain blank.

The Google Apps TXT record will look something like this:

google-site-verification=sqLYOyRl10iCovEnJAlRaNafwLHuMXdZRz5q1-lIMba

Click the UPDATE button and you will see your new TXT record at the top of the page.  You can see what that will look like on the screenshot above.

Now in an hour or so, Google should be able to successfully validate your site and you'll be ready for the rest of the setup.  I'll post another blog soon to cover the Email Setup and the URL Forwarding setup for your website.