Connect Google Workspace Secondary Domains:  Full  Guide

Setting up a Google Workspace secondary domain is necessary to manage multiple brands, teams, or clients under one workspace.

Instead of managing separate Google accounts, a secondary domain allows you to keep everything organized while using a single admin panel.

It also makes domain management easy.  

But, setting up a secondary domain comes with a few technical steps such as domain verification, email setup, and DNS configuration. 

Now, if you’re handling multiple domains or clients, this process can become time-consuming. (And for non-IT guys, the process is like walking in hell)

In this guide, we’ll break down everything you need to know about Google Workspace secondary domains – what they are, how to set them up, and how they can benefit your business.

The cost & complexity of Google Workspace’s secondary domains

Setting up a Google Workspace secondary domain is not just technical but they are costly as well.  

How much does Google Workspace cost?

• Domain purchase – Google doesn’t sell domains directly, but its partners do. Prices start at $12/year.

• Adding a secondary domain – Google doesn’t charge for adding a secondary domain, but it does charge per user. 

If you need email accounts for the new domain, you must pay per user:

• Business Starter: $7.20/user/month (flexible) or $6/user/month (annual)
  
• Business Standard: $14.40/user/month (flexible) or $12/user/month (annual)
  

This means if you’re managing multiple domains and teams, costs add up fast.

Why is it complicated?

• Domain verification → You’ll need to verify ownership through DNS records, which is confusing for first-time users and non-IT users.

• Email deliverability issues → Incorrect secondary domain setup can send your emails straight to spam.

• Google admin panel → Managing primary and secondary domains in the admin console can be overwhelming.

While Google Workspace is a powerful tool, setting up secondary domains isn’t always smooth and affordable. 

But SmartReach.io can make the domain set-up process effortless and affordable.

As far as price is concerned SmartReach provides secondary domains and email inboxes at a more affordable much cheaper rate than Google Workspace. 

The prices are as low as $4/month per domain & $3/month per mailbox (that too on monthly billing!)

No complex setup, no hidden costs – just a smooth, hassle-free experience for managing multiple domains. 

Buying Mailboxes on Google Workspace vs. SmartReach.io

The comparison would help you make a better decision while choosing your Google Workspace secondary domain.

Feature	Google Workspace	SmartReach.io
Billing Cycle	Monthly/Annual	Monthly
Mailbox Cost	$8.40–$16.80 per user/month	$3/month per email
Automated Domain & Mailbox Setup	❌ Manual setup required	✅ Automated domain & mailbox provisioning
Real-Time IP Monitoring & Rotation	❌ Not available	✅ Ensures optimal deliverability & reputation
Domain Forwarding	✅ Via DNS settings	✅ Built-in redirection for secondary domains
Cold Outreach & Email Sequences	❌ Not built-in	✅ Advanced automation & personalization
Email Warmup	❌ Third-party tools required	✅ Integrated email warmup feature
CRM & Sales Automation	❌ Basic integrations	✅ Native integrations & AI-driven insights

The comparison clearly shows that SmartReach is the best choice for email infrastructure set-up for outbound teams. 

It offers automated domain/mailbox setup, real-time monitoring, email warmup, and CRM integrations, all at a much lower cost per mailbox.

Sign up and get started for free with SmartReach.io to buy email inboxes and domains. 

Now let’s take a step-by-step look at how to set up secondary domains in Google Workspace.

Step-by-step guide for Google Workspace secondary domain

You can follow the below steps for setting up your Google Workspace secondary domain.

Step #1: Sign in to Google admin console

1. Go to admin.google.com.
   
2. Log in with your admin credentials.
   

Step #2: Navigate to the domains section

1. In the Admin Console, go to Menu (☰) > Domains > Manage Domains.
   
2. Click on Add a domain or Add a domain alias (depending on your use case).

Difference:

• Add a domain → Allows you to create separate user accounts.
• Add a domain alias → Allows users to send emails from an alternate domain while keeping their primary inbox.

Step #3: Verify your domain ownership

After adding the domain, Google will ask you to verify ownership. Choose one of these methods:

TXT Record (Recommended)

1. Copy the TXT verification record provided by Google.
   
2. Go to your domain provider’s DNS settings (e.g., GoDaddy, Namecheap, Cloudflare).
   
3. Add a new TXT record and paste the value.
   
4. Save changes and return to Google Admin Console.
   
5. Click Verify.

Other Methods (Optional)

• CNAME Record – Add a special CNAME entry in your DNS.
  
• HTML File Upload – Upload a Google-provided HTML file to your website root directory.
  

Note: Google may take a few minutes to 24 hours to verify your domain.

Step #4: Set up email for your secondary domain

1. In Admin Console, go to Apps > Google Workspace > Gmail.
   
2. Click Hosts > Authenticate Email (to enable SPF, DKIM, and DMARC for deliverability).
   
3. Go to Manage Users and create new users under the secondary domain if needed.
   

Step #5: Configure sending email from the secondary domain

If using it as a sending alias (without creating a new inbox):

1. Open Gmail and go to Settings > See all settings.
   
2. Click Accounts and Import > Send mail as.
   
3. Add your secondary domain email, verify it, and choose whether to use it as the default “From” address.
   

Step #6: Test & optimize deliverability

1. Send a test email from the secondary domain to ensure it works.
   
2. Check spam folders to ensure email deliverability.
   
3. Set up SPF, DKIM, and DMARC records for optimal email authentication

Recommended Read: How to Set-Up Secondary Domains for Effective Cold Email?

Making secondary domain setup hassle-free

Google Workspace’s robust security, centralized management, and free subdomains make it a great option for scaling teams and outbound campaigns. 

However, setting up secondary domains in Google Workspace still requires manual configuration, time-consuming verification, and complex email authentication settings, which can be a challenge, especially for sales teams that manage multiple inboxes.

Whereas SmartReach.io make the domain and mailbox set-up process very simple. 

With automated domain and mailbox setup, real-time IP monitoring & rotation, and domain forwarding, SmartReach ensures that your outbound campaigns scale 

effortlessly while maintaining top-notch email deliverability. 

SmartReach integration with Maildoso makes the process quite smooth & hassle-free. 

Instead of juggling multiple configurations, you can focus on what truly matters i.e. engaging prospects and driving conversions and saving time.

Try SmartReach free for 14 days. 

Google Workspace secondary domain: F.A.Q.s

What is a secondary domain in Google Workspace?

A secondary domain in Google Workspace is an additional domain linked to your primary domain. It allows users to have email addresses with different domain names while being managed under the same Google Workspace account.

Can I use any domain with Google Workspace?

Yes, you can use any domain with Google Workspace as long as you own it and can verify ownership. You need to configure the domain settings and set up email authentication for seamless integration.

What is the difference between a primary and secondary domain in Google Workspace?

A primary domain is the main domain used for your Google Workspace account, while a secondary domain is an additional domain that allows users to have different domain email addresses under the same Google Workspace organization.

Can I add a second domain to Google Workspace?

Yes, you can add a second domain as a secondary domain in Google Workspace. This allows your users to have email addresses associated with different domains while being managed in a single Google Workspace admin console.

How do you verify a secondary domain in Google Workspace?

To verify a secondary domain in Google Workspace:

1. Go to the Google Admin Console
   
2. Navigate to Domains > Manage Domains
   
3. Add the secondary domain and choose a verification method (TXT record, CNAME, or HTML file upload)
   
4. Update your domain’s DNS settings with the provided verification record
   
5. Click Verify in the Admin Console

Are subdomains free on Google Domains?

Yes, subdomains are free when you own a domain through Google Domains. You can create unlimited subdomains at no extra cost.

Can I have two Google Workspace accounts?

Yes, you can have multiple Google Workspace accounts, but each one requires a unique primary domain. If you want to manage multiple domains under one account, you can add them as secondary domains.

Can I create a Google Workspace without a domain?

No, Google Workspace requires a domain to create an account. However, you can purchase a domain directly through Google Workspace during the setup process.

Can I transfer my Google Workspace to another domain?

Yes, you can transfer your Google Workspace account to another domain by adding the new domain, setting it as the primary domain, and migrating users and data accordingly.