One nice feature of Google Sites is that the site can be configured to serve content from any subdomain. For an overview of Google Sites, check out my previous post, an Introduction to Google Sites. Although CNAME records (subdomains) can be mapped to the site, A records (hostnames) cannot be mapped.
Configuring a subdomain to use with Google Sites is a simple process. Below I will provide a guide for performing this configuration when using GoDaddy as a domain registrar. If you are using another registrar the process should be similiar.
Domain Manager
Begin by accessing GoDaddy's Domain Manager. Locate the domain you would like to create your subdomain beneath. For me, I clicked on the domain lunchsummit.com.
Total DNS Control and MX Records
Select the option for "Total DNS Control and MX Records." This will allow you to make changes to your DNS settings and is organized by record type. The next step is to add a new CNAME Record by clicking the button, "Add new CNAME Record." For my site, salsafest.lunchsummit.com I created two alias names, salsafest and www.salsafest:
salsafest.lunchsummit.com
- Host (Alias Name): salsafest
- Points To: ghs.google.com
- TTL: 1 hour
www.salsafest.lunchsummit.com
- Host (Alias Name): www.salsafest
- Points To: ghs.google.com
- TTL: 1 hour
Configure Google Sites
Once DNS is configured, Google Sites needs to be configured as well. Make sure you're logged in to Google Sites and select:
Site Settings --> Other Stuff --> Web Address
Once on the Web Address page, add the web address(es) you just configured in DNS. For me, I entered the following:
Summary
Once everything is configured it may take a little time before the changes take effect.
For more information on this topic, see the Google Sites Help article, Changing the site URL for sites created under sites.google.com/site.
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