Guide: How to add custom domain to Office 365

Start-up companies are looking for a single solution to get up and running with IT. Microsoft Office 365 should be first on the to-do list.

As part of my Office 365 DIY Series, I am bringing you a step-by-step configuration guide to configuring your domain. If you haven’t purchased or decided on your next domain name then I would certainly recommend you reading How to Choose a Domain Name  and 5 Tips for Choosing the Best Domain Name  .

Step by Step Guide to add custom domain to Office 365

Here is the easy step by step guide for configuring your domain to Office 365, Microsoft Office 365 offers many productivities, collaboration and communication tools and services. Let’s start branding your domain name to Office 365.

1. Login to your Office 365 admin console, Office 365 Login  . You must use @yourcustomname.onmicrosoft.com global administrator user while adding your first custom domain.Office 365 Admin Login Page
2. After a successful login, it would land you to admin dashboard page (if you are login for the first time then it may take you through the introductory tour). By chance, if it has not landed you on the admin dashboard page then click on the top-right corner of the screen menu button and select the Admin icon (I found the last one on the menu).Office 365 Product Menu
3. Locate the Domain Box, you will find few options to manage your custom domains. i.e. Add a domain, Delete a domain, Edit a domain and Check health. Now, click on Add a domain button.Office 365 Admin Dashboard
4. Click Add a domain button, it would bring up an in-page wizard. The first page would ask you enter a domain you own.Wizard Page 1: Add a domain
5. On next page, you need to verify your domain with Microsoft and Office 365. Office 365 would give you step-by-step instructions explaining how to add TXT Record or MX Record on your DNS host provider. However, if you cannot figure out how to add it, then contact your DNS provider (where you have registered your domain) and request for the help.
   • Add TXT Record or MX Record on your DNS Host
   • Click on Verify button
   • On successful verification, it would take you to set-up your online services.
   Wizard Page 2: Verify domain
6. Setting up your online services could be a one-step process, or if due to any reason Office 365 is not able to configure your domain automatically then you may have to configure it manually.
   • Try Set up my online services for me. (Recommended) option. If successful then you should see message Congratulation! Your domain and email addresses are all setup. And you can skip remaining step and go to step 9.
   • If automation does not work for you then continue to follow the guide. Proceed to step 7.
   Wizard Page 3: Set up your online services (recommended)
7. Select I’ll manage my own DNS records. option and click Next.Wizard Page 3: Set up your online services (manual)
8. You need to add given DNS records on the page.Office 365 would ask you to setup MX records – for Outlook Email, CNAME records for multi-purpose, TXT records for configuration and setting purposes, and Service Protocols for Skype Business services.After adding all required entries to your DNS records, click the Verify button.Wizard Page 4: Add DNS records.Complete list of DNS entries by services (for advance users only)Complete list of DNS configuration entries for Office 365.
9. If you are successful, then the wizard should display a congratulatory message for completing the configuration successfully.Wizard Page 5: Add a domain

Congratulation, you have Office 365 setup ready with a custom domain. You should able to create users and assign appropriate licenses.