Problems With HostGator & Google Apps
Without a host, your website and its services are just a thought in your head. Host companies like HostGator and Google Apps make your site accessible to Internet users. While you can't have both companies hosting the same services at the same time, many users have HostGator host their actual website with Google Apps hosting their email and Web app services for the website.
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Google Apps and HostGator
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Google Apps is an email and Web application host for businesses and organizations. The price varies depending on the number of users and the amount of storage you need, but you can get a basic account for free. Hostgator is a domain hosting company that offers bargain prices to host your website and email on its servers. It also sells domains. These are two separate companies with different technology, equipment and policies.
How They Interact
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Even though Google Apps and HostGator are two separate entities, it's possible to use both services for one website. When you buy a domain, you set up the options at your registrar to host the site on HostGator. Many users then want to use Google Apps to host email and other Web apps because it has a free option and HostGator charges for the service. At that point, you have to point your email records for the website to Google Apps. Even if HostGator doesn't host your site, it's possible you bought your domain from them and you still have to go through their site to route your email to Google Apps.
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Common Problems
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The most common problem you'd have while trying to switch your email host between Google Apps and HostGator is that you must input the correct mail exchange (MX) records into your HostGator panel to complete the change. Google also has to verify that you own the domain whose email you're trying to host through its servers. It does this using several verification methods, most of which require you to make some changes to your HostGator panel, such as uploading an HTML file to your site through the host. This can also cause problems with the process.
Getting Help
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Just about any problem you may have with the process will go away as soon as you can complete the setup correctly. Google has some resources through its support site, but unless you're using a paid account, there is no support center to call. HostGator also has some specific instructions on its website for those trying to set up their website with the two companies. However, it also provides phone support and even instant message support through its customer service center.
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