Moving hosts - what to do re Google Apps mail accounts.

[JustInspired]

Got a client who I set up with WordPress on my reseller hosting account. They have an existing static website on Easyspace hosting.
She’s been working on getting the site finished before we switch nameservers from Easyspace to us.

The site is finished and she’s asked me to switch it to the new WordPress site for her. No worries – done this a load of times. Told her we need to make sure the email accounts are set up in Cpanel before moving etc.

I went into MX Toolbox just to double check what's up and found… They are using Google Apps for email.

I don’t think it will be an issue for me as I have set up some of my clients with Hosted Exchange so I think I know what I’m doing in regards to changing and adding MX Records and CName Records.

Only thing is, will anything need to be done at the Google Apps end? I believe this was set up by someone else and not sure I can get the info for administering the Google Apps accounts very easily. (yeah one of those!)

I don’t know if you need to change a setting on the Google Apps control panel to inform it that the server IP has changed completely? I don't have any real experience with Google Apps for Business - just plain ol' free Gmail.

I don’t want to end up with them losing email as it could be bad for us!

Any pointers, consolation or hand holding would be greatly appreciated!

 

[Mokester]

If you are not moving the DNS...just modifying the nameservers to point to you for web, then it shouldn't be a problem...just don't touch the MX record. If you are changing, then copy and move the MX and SPF records...possibly text too...not sure how google authenticates ownership of the domain.

 

[JustInspired]

Thanks. So best to leave the domain with Easyspace and simply change the nameservers for simplicity?

Edit: from what I read it seems changing nameservers will automatically change mx records etc.
So I'll still need to create the same DNS entries in CPanel that already exist at Easyspace.
I'm hoping to gain access to their Google Apps admin area sometime soon to see if there are any settings there that need changing...

 

[Mokester]

Nothing needs to change on Google's end. You basically need to have the DNS repository point to Google for mail...aka MX record and SPF. Text record might be needed, but I'm not a google guy and have no clue how they verify domain ownership.

Are you just changing the pointer for web or are you moving the domain? If you are moving the domain then yes you will need to add the records. Just copy them down and input them in your DNS settings. Easy peasy.

 

[JustInspired]

UPDATE

Since the domain is not due for renewal for some time, I've left the Nameservers unchanged at EasySpace.

The only things I have changed are the A Records for HTTP/S and FTP.

Seems to work ok....