Host for free - ZA NIC, EveryDNS and Google Apps
Had another look at this question of hosting for free, and here is the step by step guide for hosting using .za.net for free.
DNS Hosting:
First we need to check if the domain is available. Surf on over to http://www.za.net and use the Whois tool to check availability. If you've found one that is availble, surf on over to http://www.everydns.com and add the new domain. A placeholder will be created, leave this for now.
Now go back to http://www.za.net and register your new domain. If all went right, you should get a mail from za.net to confirm registration. They do not send any notification and it took 4 working days. You can monitor the progress under "queue status".
Google Apps Hosting:
Please Note: I jump through these steps, put please read the notices carefully so you understand what you do and do not get.
Now we register with Google. Surf on over to http://www.google.com/a/ and select "See details and sign up" and then "Standard edition".
Ensure you select administrator and now enter the domain that you registered wit ZA NIC. On the next page, enter all the details and use an existing e-mail address. The next screen will have you create the first administrators account for your new domain.
Next we "Verify domain ownership". Select this option and select "Change your CNAME record". Now copy the CNAME detail into your EveryDNS.net domain. Now we wait. When Google has confirmed that the domain is yours, all the features will come online.
You now need to add some more CNAME's and MX's in EveryDNS.net:
Please note:
- I do not work for Google, ZA NIC or EveryDNS so cannot be held resposable for issues with them. Personally I've not had any issues with them.
- Please confirm all DNS settings in your Google Apps Dashboard. Go into each application and change the URL.)
DNS Hosting:
First we need to check if the domain is available. Surf on over to http://www.za.net and use the Whois tool to check availability. If you've found one that is availble, surf on over to http://www.everydns.com and add the new domain. A placeholder will be created, leave this for now.
Now go back to http://www.za.net and register your new domain. If all went right, you should get a mail from za.net to confirm registration. They do not send any notification and it took 4 working days. You can monitor the progress under "queue status".
Google Apps Hosting:
Please Note: I jump through these steps, put please read the notices carefully so you understand what you do and do not get.
Now we register with Google. Surf on over to http://www.google.com/a/ and select "See details and sign up" and then "Standard edition".
Ensure you select administrator and now enter the domain that you registered wit ZA NIC. On the next page, enter all the details and use an existing e-mail address. The next screen will have you create the first administrators account for your new domain.
Next we "Verify domain ownership". Select this option and select "Change your CNAME record". Now copy the CNAME detail into your EveryDNS.net domain. Now we wait. When Google has confirmed that the domain is yours, all the features will come online.
You now need to add some more CNAME's and MX's in EveryDNS.net:
Host | Type | Value | MX | TTL | |
docs.domain.za.net | CNAME | ghs.google.com | 3600 | ||
googleuniquenumber.domain.za.net | CNAME | google.com | 3600 | ||
mail.domain.za.net | CNAME | ghs.google.com | 3600 | ||
sites.domain.za.net | CNAME | ghs.google.com | 3600 | ||
domain.za.net | MX | aspmx.l.google.com | 10 | 3600 | |
domain.za.net | MX | alt1.aspmx.l.google.com | 20 | 3600 | |
domain.za.net | MX | alt2.aspmx.l.google.com | 20 | 3600 | |
domain.za.net | MX | aspmx2.googlemail.com | 30 | 3600 | |
domain.za.net | MX | aspmx3.googlemail.com | 30 | 3600 | |
domain.za.net | MX | aspmx4.googlemail.com | 30 | 3600 | |
domain.za.net | MX | aspmx5.googlemail.com | 30 | 3600 | |
www.domain.za.net | CNAME | parked.everydns.net | 3600 |
Please note:
- I do not work for Google, ZA NIC or EveryDNS so cannot be held resposable for issues with them. Personally I've not had any issues with them.
- Please confirm all DNS settings in your Google Apps Dashboard. Go into each application and change the URL.)
