Step-by-Step Guide to Connecting a Domain to Blogger
Have you ever looked at a Blogger site with a “blogspot.com” address and thought, “This looks a bit amateur”? You’re not alone. Using a custom domain is one of those small changes that makes a huge difference in how people perceive your blog. And honestly? It’s not nearly as complicated as most people think.
In this guide, I’ll walk you through the entire process of connecting your own domain to your Blogger site—from purchasing a domain to seeing that satisfying moment when your blog appears under your very own web address.
Why Use a Custom Domain for Your Blogger Site?
Before diving into the how-to, let’s talk about why this matters in the first place.
A custom domain offers several significant advantages:
- Professional appearance – yourname.com simply looks more established than yourname.blogspot.com
- Better branding – a domain that matches your brand is easier for visitors to remember
- Improved SEO potential – custom domains typically perform better in search rankings
- Future-proofing – if you ever want to move away from Blogger, having your own domain makes the transition much smoother
Remember, first impressions matter online. When someone clicks on your link or types in your URL, what they see in that address bar immediately shapes their perception of your site’s credibility.
What You’ll Need Before Starting
Getting prepared will make this process go smoothly. Here’s your checklist:
- An active Blogger blog
- A domain name (purchased from a domain registrar)
- Access to your domain registrar account
- About 30-60 minutes of uninterrupted time
- A cup of coffee (optional, but recommended!)
Most people get stuck because they jump in without all these elements in place. Take a moment to gather everything before proceeding.
Purchasing a Domain Name: Quick Tips
If you haven’t bought your domain yet, here are some pointers:
Choosing the Right Domain Registrar
| Registrar | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Namecheap | Competitive pricing, free WHOIS privacy | Customer service can be slow |
| Google Domains | Seamless integration with Blogger, clean interface | Slightly higher prices |
| GoDaddy | Widely recognized, frequent promotions | Aggressive upselling |
| Cloudflare | Very competitive pricing, security features | More technical interface |
I personally prefer Google Domains for Blogger integration since it eliminates several technical steps in the process we’re about to cover. But any registrar will work fine!
Domain Name Selection Tips
- Keep it short and easy to remember
- Ensure it’s relevant to your blog’s topic
- Avoid hyphens and numbers when possible
- Check if social media handles with the same name are available
- Consider buying multiple TLDs (.com, .net) if your brand is important
Once you’ve secured your domain, we can move on to the connection process.
Method 1: Connecting a Domain Purchased Through Google Domains
If you purchased your domain through Google Domains, you’re in luck—this is the easiest path forward.
Step 1: Access Your Blogger Dashboard
- Log in to your Blogger account
- Navigate to the blog you want to connect to your custom domain
- Click on “Settings” in the left sidebar
Step 2: Set Up the Custom Domain
- Under the “Basic” tab, find the “Publishing” section
- Click on “Custom domain”
- Enter your domain name (without www or http://)
- Click “Save”
Step 3: Verify and Connect
- You’ll see a verification screen asking you to confirm you own this domain
- Since you purchased through Google Domains, click “Yes” to verify ownership
- Blogger will automatically configure the necessary DNS settings
- Click “Save” again
And that’s it! Your domain should now be connected. This process is remarkably simple because Google owns both Blogger and Google Domains, so they’ve streamlined the integration.
Method 2: Connecting a Domain from Another Registrar
If you’ve purchased your domain elsewhere, the process requires a few more steps but remains manageable.
Step 1: Access Blogger Settings
- Log in to your Blogger account
- Select the blog you want to connect
- Click on “Settings” in the left sidebar
- Under the “Basic” tab, locate the “Publishing” section
- Click on “Custom domain”
- Enter your domain name and click “Save”
Step 2: Configure DNS Records at Your Registrar
This is where most people get confused, but I’ll break it down:
- Log in to your domain registrar account
- Navigate to the DNS management section (sometimes called “DNS Settings” or “Name Servers”)
- You’ll need to add CNAME records to point your domain to Blogger
Here are the specific records you need to add:
| Record Type | Name/Host | Value/Points To | TTL |
|---|---|---|---|
| CNAME | www | ghs.google.com | 3600 |
| A | @ | 216.239.32.21 | 3600 |
| A | @ | 216.239.34.21 | 3600 |
| A | @ | 216.239.36.21 | 3600 |
| A | @ | 216.239.38.21 | 3600 |
The “A” records allow your root domain (yourdomain.com) to work, while the CNAME record ensures that the “www” version (www.yourdomain.com) directs to your blog.
Step 3: Return to Blogger to Verify
- Go back to Blogger after making these DNS changes
- Click “Verify availability” to check if your domain is properly configured
- If verification succeeds, click “Save”
Important note: DNS changes can take anywhere from a few minutes to 48 hours to propagate across the internet. If verification fails at first, wait a few hours and try again.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
If you’re experiencing problems, don’t worry—this happens to everyone. Here are solutions to the most common issues:
“Domain Not Available” Error
This typically means one of two things:
- The domain is actually registered to someone else
- DNS settings haven’t propagated yet
Solution: Double-check your domain registration and wait 24-48 hours before trying again.
Blog Shows “Not Found” After Configuration
If your blog shows a 404 error after setup:
- Verify all DNS records are entered correctly
- Ensure you saved the settings in Blogger
- Clear your browser cache or try another browser
HTTPS Issues
By default, Blogger provides HTTPS for custom domains, but sometimes this needs troubleshooting:
- In Blogger settings, find the “HTTPS” option under the “Publishing” section
- Ensure “Yes” is selected for HTTPS availability
- If HTTPS isn’t working, temporarily select “No,” save, then switch back to “Yes”
Setting Up Email with Your Custom Domain
Once your domain is connected to Blogger, you might want to create professional email addresses using your domain (you@yourdomain.com).
Blogger doesn’t provide email hosting, but you can set this up separately using:
- Google Workspace (paid, most seamless option)
- Zoho Mail (offers a free tier)
- MXroute (affordable option for multiple addresses)
The setup involves adding MX records to your domain’s DNS settings, similar to how we added CNAME and A records earlier.
Maintaining Your Domain Connection
Once everything is working, maintenance is minimal. However, remember these key points:
- Domain renewal: Set up auto-renewal to avoid accidentally losing your domain
- Monitor for issues: Occasionally check that your HTTPS is working properly
- Keep records: Save your DNS settings somewhere secure in case you need them later
I like to set a calendar reminder to check my blog’s connection every six months just to make sure everything still looks good.
Moving Beyond the Basics: Domain Optimization Tips
Now that your custom domain is connected, consider these additional improvements:
Set Up Redirects
Ensure that whether visitors type “www” or not, they arrive at the same place:
- Go back to your registrar’s DNS settings
- Follow their specific instructions for setting up redirects
- Test both versions of your URL to ensure they work
Configure Analytics
With a custom domain, you’ll want proper tracking:
- Set up Google Analytics for your domain
- Add the tracking code to your Blogger template
- Set up Google Search Console for additional insights
Improve Loading Speed
A custom domain doesn’t automatically make your site faster, but now’s a good time to optimize:
- Compress images before uploading
- Remove unnecessary Blogger widgets
- Consider enabling a CDN service
When Things Go Wrong: Quick Recovery Guide
If your site suddenly stops working with your custom domain:
- Check domain expiration: Has your domain renewal lapsed?
- Verify DNS settings: Have any records been changed?
- Contact support: If using Google Domains, contact their support; otherwise, reach out to your registrar
Having a backup of your DNS settings makes recovery much quicker in these situations.
Conclusion
Connecting your domain to Blogger isn’t just a technical upgrade—it’s a statement about how seriously you take your blog. The process might seem daunting at first, but as we’ve seen, it’s manageable when broken down into steps.
Remember that most issues during setup are temporary and solvable. Take your time, follow each step carefully, and soon you’ll have a professional-looking domain that perfectly represents your brand.
Your blog deserves more than a subdomain, and now you have everything you need to make that upgrade. The slight learning curve is worth the lasting benefits to your site’s professionalism and SEO potential.
