Knowledgebase

Using Google Workspace (Gmail) with Your Domain – Firstserv Guide

This guide walks you through the changes required to use your domain with Google Workspace (Gmail) instead of Firstserv email hosting.

Before You Begin

• ✅ You have an active Google Workspace account
• ✅ You can access your domain’s DNS settings in cPanel
• ✅ You have administrator access to your Google account

Step 1: Change Email Routing

You must tell your server that email is handled externally by Google.

How to Set Remote Mail Exchanger

1. Log in to cPanel
2. Go to Email → Email Routing
3. Select your domain from the dropdown
4. Choose:

   Remote Mail Exchanger
   

5. Click Change

✅ This ensures email is routed to Google instead of your server.

Step 2: Configure Google MX Records

MX records determine where your email is delivered.

Update MX Records

1. Open cPanel → Domains → Zone Editor
2. Remove any existing non-Google MX records
3. Add Google’s MX records (from your Google Workspace setup guide)

✅ These typically look like:

ASPMX.L.GOOGLE.COM
ALT1.ASPMX.L.GOOGLE.COM
ALT2.ASPMX.L.GOOGLE.COM
ALT3.ASPMX.L.GOOGLE.COM
ALT4.ASPMX.L.GOOGLE.COM

(Use Google’s official instructions to confirm current values and priorities)

Step 3: Configure Email Authentication (SPF, DKIM & DMARC)

To improve email deliverability and avoid spam filtering, you’ll need to configure authentication records.

Important

• Remove any existing SPF, DKIM, or DMARC records related to Firstserv before adding Google’s
• Only one SPF record should exist for your domain

Add Google SPF Record

Example:

v=spf1 include:_spf.google.com ~all

Enable DKIM

• Generate DKIM keys in your Google Admin Console
• Add the provided DNS record via cPanel
• Activate DKIM in Google once added

Add DMARC Record (Recommended)

Example (basic setup):

v=DMARC1; p=none; rua=mailto:you@yourdomain.com

✅ Start with monitoring (p=none), then increase enforcement over time

Step 4: Allow Time for DNS Changes

• DNS updates can take up to 24 hours to fully propagate
• Email delivery may be inconsistent during this period

Summary

To use Google Workspace with your domain:

1. ✅ Set Email Routing to Remote
2. ✅ Replace MX records with Google’s
3. ✅ Configure SPF, DKIM, and DMARC
4. ✅ Allow time for DNS propagation

Important Notes

• Once complete, all email will be handled by Google servers, not Firstserv
• Ensure all DNS records are correct to avoid delivery issues
• Always test sending and receiving after setup

Need Help?

If you’re unsure about DNS changes or need help switching to Google Workspace, the Firstserv support team is always happy to guide you through the process.