Replacing a Google Sites URL w/one I bought from Network Solutions?
April 24, 2024 2:21 AM Subscribe
I am rebranding my business. I created emails and bought URLs to match. Then, I built a website on Google Sites. I thought it would be easy peasy to replace the indecipherable Google URLs for my own, and then the sites would be available for the world to see. But I am having heck of a time.
There is even a highlighted question on the Google Transfer Console that asks, "Why is this process so difficult?" I can't get it to either let me transfer my URL or my domain. I even opened an Analytics account because the site seemed to say proving the domains are mine would be easier if I had an Analytics account. But it is not easier because it won't give me a UA tracking number. It gives me every other number except that one.
First, what is the difference between the URL and the domain? I entered the Network Solutions website i bought; on one side with www.donmerrillassociates, and on the other with https://www.donmerrillassociates. I've also tried donmerrillassociates.com, www.donmerrillassociates.com, http://donmerrillassociates.com. I can't get Google to verify any of them, and I don't even know if "verifying" them will actually let me replace the Google URLs with my own. Plus, Google gave me a code to upload. But does Google even have a place where code can be uploaded to Google Sites? I thought, "Hell, it's Google. I own all of these URLs but Google doesn't seem to recognize them at all. This should work with my eyes closed. But instead, I feel frustrated and stuck. What am I doing wrong? Help
There is even a highlighted question on the Google Transfer Console that asks, "Why is this process so difficult?" I can't get it to either let me transfer my URL or my domain. I even opened an Analytics account because the site seemed to say proving the domains are mine would be easier if I had an Analytics account. But it is not easier because it won't give me a UA tracking number. It gives me every other number except that one.
First, what is the difference between the URL and the domain? I entered the Network Solutions website i bought; on one side with www.donmerrillassociates, and on the other with https://www.donmerrillassociates. I've also tried donmerrillassociates.com, www.donmerrillassociates.com, http://donmerrillassociates.com. I can't get Google to verify any of them, and I don't even know if "verifying" them will actually let me replace the Google URLs with my own. Plus, Google gave me a code to upload. But does Google even have a place where code can be uploaded to Google Sites? I thought, "Hell, it's Google. I own all of these URLs but Google doesn't seem to recognize them at all. This should work with my eyes closed. But instead, I feel frustrated and stuck. What am I doing wrong? Help
Does Squarespace now host the Google websites that have Google Domains?
Yes. Google got out of the domains business recently; see https://domains.squarespace.com/google-domains.
I'm not entirely sure I understand what you're trying to do as you're conflating a lot of terminology here between domains, registrars, hosts, and "websites." A website has two major components:
1. The registrar – this is where you purchased `donmerrillassociates.com`. What company is that?
2. The hosting provider – this is the company that actually hosts the website.
I think based on your ask your hosting provider is Google Sites and your registrar is Network Solutions, is that right? But then you say you're "leaving Network Solutions." How, exactly?
posted by anotheraccount at 3:59 AM on April 24
Yes. Google got out of the domains business recently; see https://domains.squarespace.com/google-domains.
I'm not entirely sure I understand what you're trying to do as you're conflating a lot of terminology here between domains, registrars, hosts, and "websites." A website has two major components:
1. The registrar – this is where you purchased `donmerrillassociates.com`. What company is that?
2. The hosting provider – this is the company that actually hosts the website.
I think based on your ask your hosting provider is Google Sites and your registrar is Network Solutions, is that right? But then you say you're "leaving Network Solutions." How, exactly?
posted by anotheraccount at 3:59 AM on April 24
I thought it would be easy peasy to replace the indecipherable Google URLs for my own, and then the sites would be available for the world to see.
(This is overlapping / agreeing with the prior answer, but it may help to see this explained in multiple ways.) It sounds from your question like what you have been trying to do is transfer your domain from your current registrar to google's registrar (aka squarespace). Transferring domains is orthogonal to what it sounds like your real goal is; at best it will make it slightly easier for google sites to do what you want to do (may lead to something more like a 1 click solution in the google sites interface for custom domain names, or being able to skip the verify step mentioned below). But as you have discovered, transferring domains is not entirely easy.
Rather, what you want to do is follow the google sites instructions for using a custom domain (that is the usual search term for basically all site hosts for this setup task). You can do this without transferring the domain (by changing some settings both via Network Solutions and via google's interface), and I suspect from where you are starting right now it will be easier to do it that way. I guess it's possible (can't tell) you are actually following these instructions despite the mixed terminology and getting stuck on the verify step, which requires setting a TXT record? That you will have to do via a login on network solutions' site, not via google.
posted by advil at 5:38 AM on April 24 [1 favorite]
(This is overlapping / agreeing with the prior answer, but it may help to see this explained in multiple ways.) It sounds from your question like what you have been trying to do is transfer your domain from your current registrar to google's registrar (aka squarespace). Transferring domains is orthogonal to what it sounds like your real goal is; at best it will make it slightly easier for google sites to do what you want to do (may lead to something more like a 1 click solution in the google sites interface for custom domain names, or being able to skip the verify step mentioned below). But as you have discovered, transferring domains is not entirely easy.
Rather, what you want to do is follow the google sites instructions for using a custom domain (that is the usual search term for basically all site hosts for this setup task). You can do this without transferring the domain (by changing some settings both via Network Solutions and via google's interface), and I suspect from where you are starting right now it will be easier to do it that way. I guess it's possible (can't tell) you are actually following these instructions despite the mixed terminology and getting stuck on the verify step, which requires setting a TXT record? That you will have to do via a login on network solutions' site, not via google.
posted by advil at 5:38 AM on April 24 [1 favorite]
mhoye@Grayswandir ~ % whois donmerrillassociates.com | less [...] # whois.networksolutions.com Domain Name: DONMERRILLASSOCIATES.COM Registry Domain ID: Registrar WHOIS Server: whois.networksolutions.com Registrar URL: http://networksolutions.com Updated Date: 2024-03-23T00:56:27Z Creation Date: 2024-03-23T00:56:01Z Registrar Registration Expiration Date: 2025-03-23T00:56:01Z Registrar: Network Solutions, LLC Registrar IANA ID: 2 Reseller: Domain Status: clientTransferProhibited https://icann.org/epp#clientTransferProhibited [...]
There's your problem.
posted by mhoye at 5:47 AM on April 24 [2 favorites]
re: "what is the difference between the URL and the domain?" A domain is part of a URL.
Domain: Refers to the base address, like "example.com." This is typically what people think of when they buy an address.
URL: Is made up of a protocol, domain and optionally a subdomain and path. For example, "https://www.example.com/path" includes a subdomain ("www"), a protocol ("https"), and a path ("path").
In the context of question four "In the Domain (not URL prefix) option, enter the domain you want to verify. For example, mydomain.com." they are asking for "example.com".
posted by phil at 5:50 AM on April 24 [1 favorite]
Domain: Refers to the base address, like "example.com." This is typically what people think of when they buy an address.
URL: Is made up of a protocol, domain and optionally a subdomain and path. For example, "https://www.example.com/path" includes a subdomain ("www"), a protocol ("https"), and a path ("path").
In the context of question four "In the Domain (not URL prefix) option, enter the domain you want to verify. For example, mydomain.com." they are asking for "example.com".
posted by phil at 5:50 AM on April 24 [1 favorite]
re: "Plus, Google gave me a code to upload. But does Google even have a place where code can be uploaded to Google Sites?"
This is Google's method for confirming that you own your domain and aren't someone malicious attempting to hijack it. They've shared a "secret" with you and are requesting that you log into your Network Solutions account to add the "secret" there. The assumption is that only the domain owner would have access to make this change. I've put secret in quotes because it's not actually sensitive information and in fact will be publicly available once you add it to Network Solutions.
While not particularly helpful, here are Network Solutions instructions for completing this step. As advil mentioned, you are trying to add a txt record. That is a helpful phrase to search for or include if you open a support ticket with Network Solutions.
posted by phil at 6:20 AM on April 24 [1 favorite]
This is Google's method for confirming that you own your domain and aren't someone malicious attempting to hijack it. They've shared a "secret" with you and are requesting that you log into your Network Solutions account to add the "secret" there. The assumption is that only the domain owner would have access to make this change. I've put secret in quotes because it's not actually sensitive information and in fact will be publicly available once you add it to Network Solutions.
While not particularly helpful, here are Network Solutions instructions for completing this step. As advil mentioned, you are trying to add a txt record. That is a helpful phrase to search for or include if you open a support ticket with Network Solutions.
posted by phil at 6:20 AM on April 24 [1 favorite]
If learning more about dns sounds interesting, I am a big fan of Julia Evans zines. Her work is approachable and to the point and it makes me happy that people are still making zines. She has one which covers how dns works. Probably a bit more in depth than is needed for the task at hand, but it may clear up some of the confusion.
posted by phil at 7:48 AM on April 24 [1 favorite]
posted by phil at 7:48 AM on April 24 [1 favorite]
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posted by CollectiveMind at 2:23 AM on April 24