How to Add a Custom Domain to Your Blogger Website in 2024: A Step-by-Step Guide

If you're running a blog on Blogger and want to give it a more professional look, adding a custom domain is a great way to start. Using a custom domain not only enhances your blog’s credibility but also helps in building your personal or business brand. While Blogger provides a free "blogspot.com" subdomain, many bloggers prefer having their own domain name like "www.example.com." In this comprehensive guide, you'll learn how to seamlessly add a custom domain to your Blogger website in 2024.

Why You Should Use a Custom Domain for Blogger

Before diving into the technical steps, let's quickly explore why adding a custom domain is beneficial:

• Professionalism: A custom domain makes your blog appear more polished and credible.
• Branding: It's easier to promote a custom domain than a subdomain (e.g., https://www.bsmantra.in/ is more memorable than www.techguru.blogspot.com).
• SEO Benefits: Custom domains may have better chances of ranking higher in search engine results compared to subdomains.
• Ownership: A custom domain gives you more control over your blog’s identity.

Now that you know the advantages, let’s proceed with the steps to add a custom domain to your Blogger blog.

Step 1: Purchase a Domain Name

The first step is purchasing a custom domain from a domain registrar. Some popular domain registrars include:

• Google Domains (recommended for seamless integration with Blogger)
• GoDaddy
• Namecheap
• Bluehost
• HostGator

When choosing a domain, consider:

• Brand alignment: Ensure the domain reflects your blog’s name, niche, or focus.
• Short and simple: Short domains are easier to remember and type.
• TLD: Choose from popular top-level domains (TLDs) like .com, .net, .org, or niche-specific ones like .tech, .blog, etc.

Once you purchase the domain, you’ll receive details like DNS settings, which you’ll need later in the process.

Step 2: Sign In to Your Blogger Account

1. Go to Blogger.com and sign in using your Google account.
2. From your Blogger dashboard, select the blog to which you want to add the custom domain.

Step 3: Navigate to the Custom Domain Section

1. On your Blogger dashboard, click on Settings in the left sidebar.
2. Scroll down to the Publishing section.
3. Under the Custom domain field, you’ll see an option to add a custom domain. Click Set up a third-party URL for your blog.

Step 4: Enter Your Custom Domain

1. In the box that appears, enter your custom domain name. Be sure to add the www before the domain name (e.g., www.example.com).
2. Click Save.

When you try to save, you’ll see an error message stating: We have not been able to verify your authority to this domain. Error 12. This is normal and means you need to configure your domain’s DNS settings.

Step 5: Update DNS Settings on Your Domain Registrar

To successfully point your custom domain to your Blogger website, you’ll need to update your domain’s DNS settings (Domain Name System) at your domain registrar’s website. Follow these steps:

1. Login to your domain registrar account: Access the account where you bought the domain (e.g., Google Domains, GoDaddy, Namecheap, etc.).

2. Locate DNS management: Every registrar has a DNS management section. Look for options like Manage DNS or DNS settings.

3. Create CNAME records:

   • You’ll need to add two CNAME (Canonical Name) records that point to Blogger.

   • The first CNAME record typically looks like this:

     • Name (Host): www
     • Destination (Points to): ghs.google.com

   • The second CNAME record contains values provided by Blogger when you tried to save the custom domain in Step 4. It looks something like this:

     • Name (Host): Random string provided by Blogger (e.g., abc123)
     • Destination (Points to): Another random string provided by Blogger (e.g., xyz.googlehosted.com)

4. Add A records (optional but recommended): If you want to ensure that your domain works without the "www" (i.e., users can access it via example.com as well), add A records that point to Google’s IP addresses. Here are the four IP addresses you need to use:

   • 216.239.32.21
   • 216.239.34.21
   • 216.239.36.21
   • 216.239.38.21

5. Save your DNS settings: Once you’ve added the CNAME and A records, save your changes.

Step 6: Verify and Save the Custom Domain on Blogger

1. After updating the DNS settings at your domain registrar, return to Blogger.
2. Click Save again in the custom domain section.
3. Blogger will now verify the domain ownership. This can take anywhere from a few minutes to 24 hours, depending on how quickly DNS changes propagate.

Step 7: Enable HTTPS for Security

Once your custom domain is successfully linked, it’s crucial to enable HTTPS to ensure a secure connection for your visitors.

1. Go to Settings on your Blogger dashboard.
2. Scroll down to the HTTPS section.
3. Turn on the HTTPS Availability and HTTPS Redirect options.

Enabling HTTPS ensures that your website is secure and provides encryption between the user and the server. It also improves SEO rankings, as Google prefers secure websites.

Step 8: Test Your Custom Domain

After Blogger verifies your domain and the DNS changes have propagated, you can test your custom domain.

1. Open a browser and type your custom domain (e.g., www.example.com).
2. If everything is set up correctly, your Blogger blog should load under the new custom domain.
3. Don’t forget to check both the www and non-www versions of the domain to ensure both work (if you added the A records).

Troubleshooting Common Issues

• DNS Propagation Delay: DNS changes can take up to 24-48 hours to propagate worldwide. If your domain isn’t working immediately, wait a while and check again.
• Incorrect CNAME or A Records: Ensure that you’ve copied the CNAME and A records exactly as provided by Blogger and the registrar.
• HTTPS Issues: If your site isn’t loading with HTTPS, ensure that you’ve enabled HTTPS in Blogger’s settings and give it some time to activate.

Final Thoughts: Enhancing Your Blogger Website with a Custom Domain

Adding a custom domain to your Blogger website is a straightforward process that can significantly enhance your blog’s professionalism, branding, and search engine optimisation. By following this guide, you’ll be able to successfully point your new domain to Blogger in 2024 and offer your readers a more polished experience.

Now that your custom domain is set up, focus on creating high-quality content, optimising for SEO, and promoting your blog through various channels. Having a custom domain is just one step in building a successful online presence.