Google domain ownership verification & Free website hosting

This post is to help those who want to map a custom domain to their Google site and run into problems when Google want to very the domain ownership.
I am not going to go into details on the domain registration process, Google site creation, etc in this blog but concentrate on the custom domain mapping.

I registered a domain, www.epi.org.za

created a CNAME listing using http://freedns.afraid.org

which I then wanted to point toward the Google site that I created for at https://sites.google.com/site/epandicentre/

Seemed simple enough, I had done it before, but Google brought in a  new domain verification process and that is where I ran into a dead end, or so it seems. They did promise that the new process is simpler.

The solution was obvious once I realised that a DNS record can have more that one entry.

Therefore two DNS entries for the same domain will be needed:

1. CNAME:   ghs.google.com
this entry lets the world find your website

2. TXT: google-site-verification=eST......

This entry is for the Google Site Ownership verification

So for those that want to create a free website with a custom URL, I would recommend:

1. Domain registration: For .ZA domains work direct through the .co.za authorities (http://co.za  or http://http://org.za/) The cost involved is R75/year (R171 once off for a .org) and the process is simple. Download a text file, add information and then email that text file. If all goes well it takes about 20min, mostly spent typing details like address, phone numbers, etc) Payment is automated by credit card. 

2. DNS Hosting: You don't have to pay a ISP for hosting your DNS, just create an account at http://freedns.afraid.org/ Their website is easy to navigate and purely functional. You will make some mistakes especially if your DNS knowledge is as basic as mine, but they are easy to fix. You can even delete and start again. With a little bit of reading, a couple of missteps, you will get it right.

3. Site hosting: Google sites offer an the best free hosting option. Sure, you can get more slick templates from any of the free hosts, but there is always a catch. Ads and banners, bandwidth charges, limited storage, etc, etc, Google sites also has it's limitations but the support and user forums make up for that.