Three Google Apps Domain Setup Struggles (And How to Address Them)
By John DeWolfSetting up your Google Apps domain can seem like a daunting task, but it doesn’t have to be. By setting up your domain correctly the first time, you can ensure future ease of management and flow. Don’t worry, the setup process doesn’t have to take up too much of your day either.
In the following post, we’ll be discussing the three struggles users come across when setting up their Google Apps domain. But fear not! Whether you’re setting up a few users, or dozens, we’re also sharing a guide that will get your domain set up in less than an hour – struggle free.
1. Choosing a Domain Name
Simply choosing any old name may seem quick and easy, but many users aren’t aware that once you choose a domain, you can NEVER change it. So choose something that makes sense for the long-term (i.e. the domain name for your business/company website).
- Don’t own a URL? No problem. You can purchase one from a domain provider like GoDaddy or Namecheap. You can also purchase one through Google to save yourself some technical steps.
2. Setting Up Users
If you’re not utilizing the Setup Wizard, you may miss the tip about the three options administrators have when creating users. You can set up users manually (i.e. filling out a form for each user), but if you’re trying to save time you can do this in bulk (i.e. uploading a CSV file to create multiple accounts at once). Sending an invitation via email to multiple users at once is another option.
3. Activating Apps
If you’re using the Setup Wizard, this next part is a breeze. After you’ve created users, the Wizard will take you to a selection page. Simply choose the Google Apps services you want to activate and click ‘Next’. Don’t get too hung up here. Most people select the core services like Gmail, Google Drive, Google Calendar, and Google Sites, but if you’re not sure you can do this later.
- You can go back to the Google Apps marketplace and keep adding services after you’ve configured your domain. See what works for your users – or what doesn’t – and customize later.
So there you have it, three struggles (and solutions) users tend to come by when configuring their domain. As you can see, Google Apps domain setup does not have to be a timely task. Regardless of user count, you can get a domain setup in just a few steps with the assistance of the Setup Wizard.
When deciding to configure a Google Apps domain, just keep in mind the importance of selecting a name, various ways to add users, and how to activate Google Apps services. For more on these steps, check out our newly updated guide below.