Quick Blogger Tutorial Custom Domain Setup for Newbies
- Quick Blogger Tutorial - Custom Domain Setup for Newbies
- Step 1: Buy a Custom Domain
- Step 2: Access Your Blogger Settings
- Step 3: Configure Your Custom Domain in Blogger
- Step 4: Set Up DNS Records for Your Domain
- Step 5: Redirect Non-WWW to WWW (Optional but Recommended)
- Bonus Tips for Better SEO with a Custom Domain
Quick Blogger Tutorial - Custom Domain Setup for Newbies
Setting up a custom domain for your Blogger site is a crucial step for establishing a professional and branded online presence. Whether you're running a personal blog, a business website, or an online portfolio, having a custom domain name (like www.yoursite.com) instead of a generic Blogger subdomain (like www.yoursite.blogspot.com) can enhance your credibility and improve SEO.
In this guide, we'll walk you through the process of setting up a custom domain for your Blogger blog, from purchasing a domain to configuring DNS settings, with simple, easy-to-follow instructions for beginners.
Step 1: Buy a Custom Domain
Before you can set up a custom domain for your Blogger site, you need to purchase one. There are several domain registrars available, such as Google Domains, GoDaddy, and Namecheap. Here's how to buy a domain:
Choose a Domain Name: Your domain name should be easy to remember, short, and relevant to your blog's niche. If you're unsure, consider using keywords related to your content or business.
Find a Domain Registrar: Visit a domain registrar's website like Google Domains, GoDaddy, or Namecheap.
Search for Availability: Enter your desired domain name into the search bar. If the domain is available, you can purchase it. If not, try different variations or consider other domain extensions (.net, .co, etc.).
Buy the Domain: Once you've chosen a domain name, add it to your cart, and proceed to checkout. Make sure to purchase for a longer period (e.g., 1 year) to avoid any interruptions to your domain.
Step 2: Access Your Blogger Settings
Now that you've bought your domain, it's time to connect it to your Blogger blog. Follow these steps:
Login to Blogger: Visit Blogger and sign in with your Google account.
Select Your Blog: On your Blogger dashboard, select the blog you want to add the custom domain to.
Navigate to Settings: On the left sidebar, click on “Settings” to open the settings menu.
Go to Publishing: Under the “Settings” section, you will see a “Publishing” option. Click on the “+ Set up a third-party URL for your blog” link.
Step 3: Configure Your Custom Domain in Blogger
Now that you've accessed your Blogger settings, you can configure your custom domain:
Enter Your Custom Domain: In the "Third Party Domain Settings" section, enter the custom domain name you purchased (e.g., www.yoursite.com). Make sure to include "www" as part of your domain.
Save the Settings: Click "Save" to confirm. Blogger will display an error message saying that you need to verify ownership of the domain via DNS settings.
Step 4: Set Up DNS Records for Your Domain
To point your custom domain to your Blogger site, you'll need to configure DNS settings. Here's how:
Log in to Your Domain Registrar: Go to the website where you bought your domain (Google Domains, GoDaddy, Namecheap, etc.), and log into your account.
Find DNS Settings: Once logged in, navigate to your domain settings, and look for the “DNS” or “Name Servers” section. This is where you can manage your domain's DNS records.
Add CNAME Records: You’ll need to add two CNAME records to your DNS settings. These records direct your domain to your Blogger site. Follow these steps:
- First CNAME Record:
- Name/Host: www
- Type: CNAME
- Value: ghs.google.com
- TTL: 1 hour (or leave default)
- Second CNAME Record (verification record from Blogger):
- Name/Host: You’ll find this information in Blogger’s error message after you click “Save.” It will look something like abc1234.blogspot.com.
- Type: CNAME
- Value: A verification code provided by Blogger.
Save DNS Settings: After adding both CNAME records, save your DNS settings. It may take a few minutes for changes to propagate.
Step 5: Redirect Non-WWW to WWW (Optional but Recommended)
It’s essential to ensure that both "www.yoursite.com" and "yoursite.com" point to your Blogger blog. Without this, users who type in your domain without the "www" prefix may land on a "404 Not Found" page. Here’s how to set up the redirection:
Return to Blogger Settings: Go back to Blogger, where you entered your custom domain.
Enable Redirection: In the “Third Party Domain Settings” section, check the box that says “Redirect [yourdomain.com] to [www.yourdomain.com].”
Save Changes: Click “Save” to enable the redirection.
Step 6: Wait for DNS Propagation
After making the changes to your domain’s DNS settings and enabling the redirect, the new custom domain should be live within a few hours. However, DNS changes can take up to 48 hours to fully propagate across the internet, so be patient.
Step 7: Test Your New Domain
Once the DNS has propagated, test your custom domain by entering it into your browser’s address bar (both with and without "www"). Your Blogger site should now load under your custom domain.
Bonus Tips for Better SEO with a Custom Domain
Include Keywords: Choose a domain name that includes relevant keywords related to your blog’s niche. This can help improve your site’s SEO and search engine ranking.
SSL Security: Blogger automatically provides an SSL certificate (HTTPS) for your custom domain, ensuring that your site is secure. Make sure to always use the HTTPS version of your site.
Keep Your Domain Simple: A clean, memorable domain name is easier for visitors to recall and share, helping with organic traffic.
Conclusion
Setting up a custom domain for your Blogger site is a simple yet powerful way to elevate your blog’s professionalism and improve SEO. By following these easy steps, you can quickly set up a custom domain, enhance user experience, and establish a memorable web presence.
If you follow these instructions carefully, you’ll have your custom domain set up in no time, bringing your blog to the next level of branding and visibility.
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