Why You Should Use a Custom Domain for Your Blog and How to Set One Up

What is a custom domain name? And why should you use one for your blog?

A custom domain name is a unique address for your blog on the internet. It's the address that people will type into their web browser to visit your blog. A custom domain name can be anything you want, as long as it's available.

There are many benefits to using a custom domain name for your blog, including:

1. It makes your blog look more professional and credible. A custom domain name shows that you're serious about your blog and that you're committed to building a long-term presence online.
2. A custom domain name makes it easier for people to find and remember your blog. A custom domain name is more memorable than a default Blogger domain name, and it's easier to type into a web browser.
3. A custom domain name can boost your blog's SEO (search engine optimization). Search engines like Google prefer websites with custom domain names, so using a custom domain name can help your blog rank higher in search results.

If you're serious about blogging, then using a custom domain name is a must. It's a small investment that can make a big difference in the success of your blog. 

How to set up a custom domain in Blogger: Step-by-step guide

1. Purchase a custom domain name from a domain registrar. There are many different domain registrars to choose from, such as Google Domains, AWS Route53, and GoDaddy.
   
   
2. Update your DNS settings. Once you have purchased a custom domain name, you will need to update your DNS settings to point your domain to Blogger. You can do this by logging into your domain registrar's account and following their instructions.
   
   
3. Add your custom domain to Blogger. Once you have updated your DNS settings, you can add your custom domain to Blogger. To do this, log into your Blogger account and go to the Settings page. Under the Publishing section, click on the Custom domain link. Enter your custom domain name in the Custom domain field and click on the Save button.

Advanced features

Using a subdomain for your blog

You can use a subdomain for your blog, such as blog.mydomain.com, or you can use your root domain, such as mydomain.com.

A subdomain is a sub-section of your domain name. For example, blog.mydomain.com is a subdomain of mydomain.com.

Using a subdomain for your blog can be helpful if you want to keep your blog separate from your main website. For example, if you have a website for your business and you also want to start a blog, you could use a subdomain for your blog, such as blog.yourbusiness.com.

If you are using a subdomain, you will need to create a CNAME record for it in your domain registrar's DNS settings.

You can redirect users from your root domain to your blog's subdomain or vice versa. To do this, you will need to add a redirect in your domain registrar's DNS settings.

The specific steps for adding a redirect will vary depending on your domain registrar. However, most domain registrars offer a simple way to add redirects through their online control panel.

Troubleshooting tips:

Why isn't my custom domain working?

There are a few reasons why your custom domain may not be working:

• You may not have updated your DNS settings correctly.
• It may take up to 48 hours for DNS changes to propagate.
• You may have entered your custom domain name incorrectly into Blogger.
• You may have a CNAME error.

What should I do if my custom domain is taking a long time to propagate?

If your custom domain is taking a long time to propagate, you can try the following:

• Clear your browser's cache and cookies.
• Try visiting your blog from a different browser or device.
• Wait a few more hours and try again.
• If you are still having trouble, you can contact your domain registrar for assistance.

How do I fix a CNAME error?

A CNAME error occurs when your CNAME record is not configured correctly. To fix a CNAME error, you will need to check your CNAME record and make sure that it is pointing to the correct server.

The specific steps for checking and updating your CNAME record will vary depending on your domain registrar. However, most domain registrars offer a simple way to check and update your CNAME records through their online control panel.

Conclusion

Setting up a custom domain for your blog is a great way to improve your blog's professionalism, credibility, and SEO. It's a small investment that can make a big difference in the success of your blog.

But why stop there? As a tech professional, it's important to continuously learn and grow. By learning more about domain names, DNS, and other technologies, you can make the most of your blog, along with other tech projects you may have, and stay ahead of the curve.

Here are a few resources to get you started:

What is a domain name?: https://support.google.com/a/answer/2573637?hl=en

How does DNS work?: https://www.cloudflare.com/learning/dns/what-is-dns/

How to set up a custom domain for your Blogger blog: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z6k-kZFW6ms