Set Up Professional Email with Squarespace Google Workspace
TL;DR:
- Connect Google Workspace to Squarespace for professional email using your domain
- Access the setup through Settings > Email & Google Workspace in your Squarespace admin
- Your domain needs to be registered with Squarespace for the smoothest setup
- Google Workspace gives you Gmail, Calendar, Drive and other productivity tools
- The integration handles most DNS settings automatically
Setting up professional email through Squarespace and Google Workspace is straightforward once you know where to look. Here's how to get your custom email addresses working properly.
Getting Started with the Setup
First, make sure your domain is registered through Squarespace or transferred to them. While you can set up Google Workspace with external domains, having everything in one place makes the process much simpler.
Log into your Squarespace account and head to Settings. Look for "Email & Google Workspace" in the left sidebar. If you don't see this option, check that your site is on a paid plan, as email integration isn't available on trial accounts.
Connecting Google Workspace
When you click on Email & Google Workspace, Squarespace will walk you through the setup process. You'll need to choose your Google Workspace plan (Business Starter is usually fine for most small businesses) and create your first admin user.
The setup wizard handles the technical bits like MX records and domain verification automatically. This is one of the main advantages of using Squarespace's integration rather than setting up Google Workspace manually.
You'll pay for Google Workspace separately from your Squarespace subscription. The billing goes through Google, not Squarespace, so keep that in mind for your accounting.
Creating Email Addresses
Once Google Workspace is connected, you can create email addresses through the Google Admin console, not through Squarespace. Squarespace handles the initial connection, but day-to-day email management happens in Google's systems.
Log into admin.google.com with your admin account to add new users, set up email aliases, and manage your organisation settings. Each user needs their own Google Workspace license if they want a full Gmail account.
Common Setup Issues
The most common problem is domain ownership verification. If your domain isn't registered with Squarespace, you might need to add verification records to your DNS manually. Squarespace's help docs have the specific records you'll need.
Another issue is timing. DNS changes can take up to 48 hours to propagate fully, so don't panic if your email doesn't work immediately after setup.
If you're migrating from another email provider, set up forwarding from your old system before switching over completely. This gives you a safety net while you test the new setup.
Managing Your Email System
Remember that once Google Workspace is set up, most email management happens through Google's tools, not Squarespace. Use Gmail for email, Google Admin for user management, and Google Drive for file storage.
Squarespace's role is mainly in the initial connection and ongoing DNS management. If you need to troubleshoot email delivery issues, you'll usually be working in Google's systems rather than Squarespace.
FAQs
Do I need to register my domain with Squarespace to use Google Workspace?
Not strictly, but it makes the setup much easier. If your domain is elsewhere, you'll need to handle DNS records manually.
Can I use Google Workspace with Squarespace 7.0?
Yes, the Google Workspace integration works with both Squarespace versions. The setup process is the same.
What happens to my email if I leave Squarespace?
Your Google Workspace account is separate from Squarespace. You can keep using it, but you'll need to manage DNS records yourself.
How many email addresses can I create?
As many as you want to pay for. Each full Gmail account needs its own Google Workspace license, but you can create unlimited aliases.
Jargon Buster
MX Records: DNS records that tell email servers where to deliver messages for your domain.
Google Admin Console: The management interface for Google Workspace where you add users and configure settings.
Email Alias: An additional email address that forwards to an existing account without needing a separate license.
DNS Propagation: The time it takes for DNS changes to spread across the internet, usually a few hours but can take up to 48 hours.
Wrap-up
Setting up Google Workspace with Squarespace gives you professional email without the technical headaches. The integration handles the complex DNS configuration automatically, so you can focus on running your business rather than troubleshooting email delivery.
The key is understanding that Squarespace manages the connection, but Google handles the actual email service. Once you're set up, you'll do most of your email management through Google's tools rather than Squarespace.
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