Blogger, a free blogging platform by Google, offers an excellent way for beginners and hobbyists to share their thoughts online. While the default Blogger domain (e.g., yourblogname.blogspot.com) is functional, using a custom domain (e.g., www.techmasterblog.in) adds a layer of professionalism and brand identity to your blog. This guide will walk you through the step-by-step process of setting up a custom domain on Blogger, ensuring your site looks polished and credible.
Why Use a Custom Domain?
Before we delve into the technical details, it's essential to understand why using a custom domain is advantageous:
Branding: A custom domain creates a stronger brand identity.
Credibility: Readers often trust custom domains more than subdomains.
SEO Benefits: While minor, a custom domain can provide better search engine optimization (SEO) opportunities.
Easy to Remember: Custom URLs are typically shorter and easier for readers to remember.
Step 1: Purchase a Domain Name
The first step in adding a custom domain to Blogger is acquiring one. You can buy a domain from domain registrars such as:
Google Domains
GoDaddy
Namecheap
Bluehost
Tips for Choosing a Domain:
Keep it short and memorable.
Avoid numbers and hyphens.
Ensure it aligns with your blog's niche.
Once you've purchased your domain, you'll receive login credentials and access to your domain’s DNS (Domain Name System) settings.
Step 2: Prepare Your Blogger Blog
Sign in to Blogger:
Go to Blogger.com and log in with your Google account.
Choose the blog you want to set up with a custom domain.
Navigate to Settings:
In the left-hand menu, click on Settings.
Scroll down to the Publishing section.
Set Up the Custom Domain:
Click on Custom domain.
Enter your domain name (e.g., www.yourblogname.com), and click Save.
Step 3: Configure DNS Settings
Blogger requires you to configure the DNS settings of your purchased domain to link it with your blog.
Access DNS Settings:
Log in to your domain registrar’s dashboard.
Navigate to the DNS Management or Domain Settings section.
Add CNAME Records:
You’ll need to add two CNAME records provided by Blogger:
CNAME 1:
Name/Host/Alias: www
Target/Destination: ghs.google.com
CNAME 2:
Blogger will generate a second CNAME (something like ABC1234). This is unique to your blog.
Add this CNAME with the corresponding target provided by Blogger.
Add A Records (Optional but Recommended):
Adding A Records ensures your blog is accessible without the "www" prefix. Create four A records pointing to Google’s IP addresses:
216.239.32.21
216.239.34.21
216.239.36.21
216.239.38.21
Example DNS Configuration:
Type
Name/Host
Value/Target
CNAME
www
ghs.google.com
CNAME
Unique ID
Unique Destination URL
A
@
216.239.32.21
A
@
216.239.34.21
A
@
216.239.36.21
A
@
216.239.38.21
Step 4: Verify and Save the Custom Domain
Return to Blogger Settings:
Go back to the Custom domain section in Blogger’s settings.
Click Save again after updating your DNS settings.
Wait for Propagation:
DNS changes can take anywhere from a few minutes to 48 hours to propagate globally. During this time, your domain might not immediately direct to your blog.
Check for errors:
If you encounter an error, double-check the DNS entries. Ensure there are no typos or missing records.
Step 5: Enable HTTPS (Optional but Recommended)
Enabling HTTPS ensures your site is secure and trusted by visitors.
Navigate to Blogger Settings:
Under Settings > Publishing, find the HTTPS section.
Turn on HTTPS availability. Blogger will process your request, and once completed, you’ll see your blog using an HTTPS connection.
Redirect HTTP to HTTPS:
Ensure that all traffic is redirected to the secure version by enabling HTTPS redirect.
Common Troubleshooting Tips
DNS propagation delay: If your custom domain doesn’t work immediately, give it up to 48 hours.
Check DNS Settings: Verify that your CNAME and A Records are correctly entered.
Clear Cache: Sometimes, browser caching issues can prevent changes from displaying.
Advantages of Using a Custom Domain with Blogger
Monetization Opportunities: Many ad networks prefer or require custom domains.
Professionalism: A custom domain shows you are serious about your content.
Ownership: Your domain is your online property, which you can take with you if you decide to migrate to another platform in the future.
Conclusion
Adding How to Add a Custom Domain to Blogger: A Complete Guide
Blogger, a free blogging platform by Google, offers an excellent way for beginners and hobbyists to share their thoughts online. While the default Blogger domain (e.g., yourblogname.blogspot.com) is functional, using a custom domain (e.g., www.techmasterblog.in) adds a layer of professionalism and brand identity to your blog. This guide will walk you through the step-by-step process of setting up a custom domain on Blogger, ensuring your site looks polished and credible.
Why Use a Custom Domain?
Before we delve into the technical details, it's essential to understand why using a custom domain is advantageous:
- Branding: A custom domain creates a stronger brand identity.
- Credibility: Readers often trust custom domains more than subdomains.
- SEO Benefits: While minor, a custom domain can provide better search engine optimization (SEO) opportunities.
- Easy to Remember: Custom URLs are typically shorter and easier for readers to remember.
Step 1: Purchase a Domain Name
The first step in adding a custom domain to Blogger is acquiring one. You can buy a domain from domain registrars such as:
- Google Domains
- GoDaddy
- Namecheap
- Bluehost
Tips for Choosing a Domain:
- Keep it short and memorable.
- Avoid numbers and hyphens.
- Ensure it aligns with your blog's niche.
Once you've purchased your domain, you'll receive login credentials and access to your domain’s DNS (Domain Name System) settings.
Step 2: Prepare Your Blogger Blog
-
Sign in to Blogger:
- Go to Blogger.com and log in with your Google account.
- Choose the blog you want to set up with a custom domain.
-
Navigate to Settings:
- In the left-hand menu, click on Settings.
- Scroll down to the Publishing section.
-
Set Up the Custom Domain:
- Click on Custom domain.
Step 3: Configure DNS Settings
Blogger requires you to configure the DNS settings of your purchased domain to link it with your blog.
-
Access DNS Settings:
- Log in to your domain registrar’s dashboard.
- Navigate to the DNS Management or Domain Settings section.
-
Add CNAME Records:
- You’ll need to add two CNAME records provided by Blogger:
- CNAME 1:
- Name/Host/Alias:
www - Target/Destination:
ghs.google.com
- Name/Host/Alias:
- CNAME 2:
- Blogger will generate a second CNAME (something like ABC1234). This is unique to your blog.
- Add this CNAME with the corresponding target provided by Blogger.
- CNAME 1:
- You’ll need to add two CNAME records provided by Blogger:
-
Add A Records (Optional but Recommended):
- Adding A Records ensures your blog is accessible without the "www" prefix. Create four A records pointing to Google’s IP addresses:
- 216.239.32.21
- 216.239.34.21
- 216.239.36.21
- 216.239.38.21
- Adding A Records ensures your blog is accessible without the "www" prefix. Create four A records pointing to Google’s IP addresses:
Example DNS Configuration:
| Type | Name/Host | Value/Target |
|---|---|---|
| CNAME | www | ghs.google.com |
| CNAME | Unique ID | Unique Destination URL |
| A | @ | 216.239.32.21 |
| A | @ | 216.239.34.21 |
| A | @ | 216.239.36.21 |
| A | @ | 216.239.38.21 |
Step 4: Verify and Save the Custom Domain
-
Return to Blogger Settings:
- Go back to the Custom domain section in Blogger’s settings.
- Click Save again after updating your DNS settings.
-
Wait for Propagation:
- DNS changes can take anywhere from a few minutes to 48 hours to propagate globally. During this time, your domain might not immediately direct to your blog.
-
Check for errors:
- If you encounter an error, double-check the DNS entries. Ensure there are no typos or missing records.
Step 5: Enable HTTPS (Optional but Recommended)
Enabling HTTPS ensures your site is secure and trusted by visitors.
-
Navigate to Blogger Settings:
- Under Settings > Publishing, find the HTTPS section.
- Turn on HTTPS availability. Blogger will process your request, and once completed, you’ll see your blog using an HTTPS connection.
-
Redirect HTTP to HTTPS:
- Ensure that all traffic is redirected to the secure version by enabling HTTPS redirect.
Common Troubleshooting Tips
- DNS propagation delay: If your custom domain doesn’t work immediately, give it up to 48 hours.
- Check DNS Settings: Verify that your CNAME and A Records are correctly entered.
- Clear Cache: Sometimes, browser caching issues can prevent changes from displaying.
Advantages of Using a Custom Domain with Blogger
- Monetization Opportunities: Many ad networks prefer or require custom domains.
- Professionalism: A custom domain shows you are serious about your content.
- Ownership: Your domain is your online property, which you can take with you if you decide to migrate to another platform in the future.
Conclusion
Adding a custom domain to your Blogger site is a straightforward process that significantly enhances your blog’s appearance and credibility. By following the steps outlined in this guide—purchasing a domain, configuring DNS settings, and setting up HTTPS—you can create a professional and memorable online presence. Remember, patience is key during DNS propagation, but once set up, your blog will be ready to impress readers with its custom web address.
Whether you're a hobbyist or an aspiring professional blogger, investing in a custom domain is a valuable step in growing your online brand. custom domain to your Blogger site is a straightforward process that significantly enhances your blog’s appearance and credibility. By following the steps outlined in this guide—purchasing a domain, configuring DNS settings, and setting up HTTPS—you can create a professional and memorable online presence. Remember, patience is key during DNS propagation, but once set up, your blog will be ready to impress readers with its custom web address.Whether you're a hobbyist or an aspiring professional blogger, investing in a custom domain is a valuable step in growing your online brand.