How to Use Blogger – Beginner’s Guide to Custom Domains  – If you’ve started a blog on Blogger and are ready to give it a professional touch, setting up a custom domain is the way to go. A custom domain helps establish your brand, makes your blog more memorable, and enhances credibility. In this beginner’s guide, we’ll walk you through the process step-by-step.

Why Use a Custom Domain on Blogger?

1. Professional Appearance: A custom domain replaces the “.blogspot.com” extension with your own unique domain, such as www.yourblog.com.
2. Better Branding: It helps reinforce your brand identity and builds trust with your readers.
3. Improved SEO: Custom domains often perform better in search engine rankings than subdomains.

Step 1: Choose and Purchase a Domain

How to Choose the Right Domain Name

• Keep it short and simple.
• Make it relevant to your blog’s niche.
• Use a .com extension for global appeal, or a local TLD like .co.uk for regional focus.

Where to Buy a Domain

Popular domain registrars include:

• Google Domains
• Namecheap
• GoDaddy

Step 2: Set Up the Custom Domain on Blogger

1. Access Blogger Settings

1. Log in to your Blogger account.
2. Navigate to the Settings tab.
3. Scroll to the Publishing section and click Custom Domain.

2. Enter Your Domain

1. Type your domain name, including “www.” (e.g., www.yourblog.com).
2. Click Save.

Note: Blogger may show an error with DNS instructions. This is normal.

Step 3: Configure DNS Settings

1. Get the CNAME Records from Blogger

Blogger provides two CNAME records:

• www pointing to ghs.google.com.
• A second CNAME with a unique string provided by Blogger.

2. Add the Records to Your Domain Registrar

1. Log in to your domain registrar’s control panel.
2. Navigate to the DNS Management section.
3. Add the two CNAME records provided by Blogger.
4. Add the following A records for non-www redirection:
   • @ 216.239.32.21
   • @ 216.239.34.21
   • @ 216.239.36.21
   • @ 216.239.38.21

3. Save Changes

It may take up to 24 hours for the DNS settings to propagate.

Step 4: Finalize the Domain Setup in Blogger

1. Return to Blogger Settings > Publishing.
2. Re-enter your domain and click Save.
3. Enable the Redirect to www option to ensure visitors are redirected to the correct URL.

SEO Tips for Blogger Custom Domains

1. Enable HTTPS: Ensure your blog is secure by enabling HTTPS in Blogger settings.

2. Update Backlinks: If you’ve shared your blog with the old domain, update those links.

3. Submit Your Domain to Google Search Console:

   • Add your new domain to the Search Console.
   • Submit a sitemap to improve crawlability.

4. Optimize Permalinks: Use clear and keyword-rich URLs for your blog posts.

5. Use Meta Descriptions: Craft compelling meta descriptions for higher click-through rates.

Conclusion

Switching to a custom domain on Blogger is a simple yet powerful step toward building a professional and trustworthy blog. By following this beginner’s guide, you can effortlessly set up your domain and improve your blog’s branding, credibility, and SEO performance.

Take the leap today and elevate your blog with a custom domain!

Ready to get started? Let us know in the comments if you have any questions about custom domains.