Google has a lot of applications under its nose. Many of you might not be aware, but Google offers its users something called as Google Apps (standard edition is free), and guess what, you can have your own myname@domain.com email address managed by GMail application exclusively for your website.

Web Dev Codex Google App Login Screen

Before I say anything, check out Web Dev Codex Mail (powered by Google Mail) – http://mail.webdevcodex.com, that will explain you what I am talking about.

You can also check out the other service I am using, Web Dev Codex Docs (powered by Google Docs) http://docs.webdevcodex.com

Pretty neat huh ? You can get one for your website too !

Features

• Free !
• You can use all of Google’s available Applications including the ones in “beta“.
• Mail, Docs, Calendar,Contacts (beta) can be embedded with your website.
• You can even use your personalized email with GTalk. For example: I can login to Gtalk with michael@webdevcodex.com
• Mail Users get 7GB of space on Google Servers but with emails with your website domain (Ex. abc@domain.com)
• You can even run Google Applications using the Google App Engine.
• Maximum of 50 users can be created for your Domain Account who can use these services.
• Custom Logo

How to get one ?

1. Register at Google Apps Website

   Goto http://www.google.com/apps/intl/en/group/index.html (Google Apps Homepage) and register your website. Use your website domain name.

2. Once you have completed registration, you will be presented with the Google App Dashboard where you can see all the applications available for your use. Its pretty straightforward from there on.
3. You would need to verify your domain. Google provides you with 2 methods,
   1. C Name authorization
   2. Upload a file with .html extension with a custom google code in it to your website’s root directory. I choose this option (very simple)
   

   WebDevCodex.com Dashboard with Gmail and Calendar active

Using the Mail application for your Website

The mail application requires a little tweaking before it can recieve emails pointed at your domain.

You need to route your emails (yourname@yourdomain.com) to the Google Servers instead of your own servers. For that you need to add an MX Entry.

Google Does provide documentation as to how it can be done for different hosts.

Conclusion

Well, Google does offer a lot to its users and I feel it is important that we do use it to the fullest So Cheers to Google

About the Author

Michael is a freelance web developer. Fluent with PHP, Ruby on Rails, AJAX, CSS and HTML. Runs his own Web Designing Firm viz Vision Master Designs, who deal with customized solutions for business needs, blog design and development. Currently selected with this year's Google Summer of Code, working with Wordpres. Follow Michael on Twitter

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