How to Add Custom Domains to Your Blogger Blog: A Step-by-Step Guide
Blogger is a popular platform for starting a blog, especially for beginners. It’s free, easy to use, and backed by Google. However, one of the most important steps in making your blog look professional is to use a custom domain instead of the default `yourblog.blogspot.com`. A custom domain gives your blog a unique identity and can also help improve your branding and search engine optimization (SEO).
In this guide, we’ll walk you through the steps to add a custom domain to your Blogger blog, from purchasing a domain to configuring it correctly.
Why Add a Custom Domain?
Before diving into the steps, let’s look at why using a custom domain is beneficial:
1. Branding: A custom domain makes your blog look more professional and easier to remember.
2. SEO: Having your own domain can improve your blog’s SEO, making it easier to rank on search engines.
3. Trust: People are more likely to trust a website with a custom domain than one with a subdomain like `blogspot.com`.
4. Monetization: Many ad networks and affiliate programs prefer blogs with custom domains.
Now, let’s explore how to add a custom domain to your Blogger blog.
Step 1: Purchase a Domain Name
First, you need to buy a domain name. There are several domain registrars where you can purchase your custom domain, including:
- GoDaddy
- Bluehost
When choosing a domain, make sure it reflects your blog’s content and is easy to remember. Popular extensions include `.com`, `.net`, and `.org`, though you can also go for niche extensions like `.blog` or `.me`.
Tips for Choosing a Domain Name:
- Keep it short and simple.
- Avoid numbers and hyphens.
- Use keywords related to your blog niche.
Step 2: Access Your Blogger Settings
Once you’ve purchased your domain, the next step is to log into your Blogger account and access the settings:
1. Go to Blogger.com and sign in.
2. In your Blogger dashboard, click on the Settings tab from the menu on the left.
3. Scroll down to the Publishing section and click on Custom domain.
Step 3: Enter Your Custom Domain
After clicking on “Custom domain,” you’ll see a field where you can enter the domain name you’ve purchased. Make sure you include `www` before your domain (e.g., `www.yourdomain.com`).
Blogger will then give you an error message, saying that “We have not been able to verify your authority to this domain.” Don’t worry—this is normal, and it means you need to configure your domain’s DNS settings.
Step 4: Configure Your DNS Settings
To link your custom domain to Blogger, you need to set up DNS records with your domain registrar. DNS (Domain Name System) settings tell the web where to direct your domain traffic. Here’s how you do it:
1. Go to the website where you purchased your domain and log into your account.
2. Find the DNS settings or Manage DNS section of your domain.
Now, you’ll need to create the following CNAME records that Blogger provides:
- First CNAME: `www` pointing to `ghs.google.com`
- Second CNAME: Blogger will provide another unique code that needs to point to a code provided by Google (e.g., `xyz123abc.example.com`).
Steps to Add CNAME Records:
- In the DNS settings, look for an option like Add Record or Manage DNS.
- Choose CNAME as the type of record.
- In the Name field, enter “www”.
- In the Destination or Target field, enter `ghs.google.com`.
- Add the second CNAME record using the values Blogger provided (this is usually a verification step).
Adding A-Records for Naked Domain
If you want users to be able to access your blog via `yourdomain.com` (without the “www”), you’ll need to create A-records as well. Add the following four A-Records to your DNS settings, pointing to these IP addresses:
- 216.239.32.21
- 216.239.34.21
- 216.239.36.21`
- 216.239.38.21
Step 5: Verify and Save Settings in Blogger
Once you’ve added the necessary DNS records, it may take up to 24-48 hours for the changes to propagate across the web. After that, head back to Blogger:
1. Return to the Settings > Custom Domain section.
2. Try entering your domain again and click Save.
If everything is set up correctly, Blogger will now accept your custom domain, and your blog will be accessible through your new URL.
Step 6: Redirect `non-www` to `www`
For a seamless experience, you should set up a redirect so that visitors who type `yourdomain.com` (without “www”) are automatically redirected to `www.yourdomain.com`.
1. In Blogger, go to Settings > Custom Domain.
2. Enable the option to redirect `yourdomain.com` to `www.yourdomain.com`.
This ensures that anyone typing your domain, with or without “www”, lands on the same site.
Step 7: Enable HTTPS
It’s essential to secure your website with an HTTPS (HyperText Transfer Protocol Secure) connection. HTTPS not only protects your visitors’ data but also improves your SEO ranking.
1. In the Settings tab, scroll down to the HTTPS section.
2. Toggle the HTTPS Availability option to Yes.
3. Also, toggle HTTPS Redirect to Yes to ensure all traffic uses the secure connection.
Step 8: Test Your New Domain
Once you’ve completed all the steps, your custom domain should be up and running. Visit your domain in a browser to make sure it’s working properly and that it redirects correctly if users type the non-www version.
Conclusion
Adding a custom domain to your Blogger blog is a straightforward process that enhances your website’s professionalism and visibility. With a custom domain, you can boost your branding, improve SEO, and gain more control over your blog's online presence. Follow these steps carefully, and you’ll be up and running with your new custom domain in no time.
Ready to take your blog to the next level? Start with a custom domain today!
Related Resources:
- [Google Domains Help Center](https://support.google.com/domains/)
- [Blogger Help: Custom Domain Setup](https://support.google.com/blogger/answer/1233387)
- [Namecheap DNS Configuration Guide](https://www.namecheap.com/support/)
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