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In one of my previous blogs, I was asked by one of my readers how he can change his blogger domain name. It is for this reason I have written this article so you understand how to update your domain name on Blogger website.
On blogger, we have custom domain name and free domain name which always end with blogspot.com. The good news is that we can change any of the names in our blogger blog.
Whether you have bought a new domain you wish to update or just feel like changing your domain to a free domain name on Blogspot, herd is the best place for you to learn how to go about it.
How to Change Blogger Domain Name
There are two domain names on every blogger blog. We have the free name which usually ends with 'Blogspot.com' and a custom domain name. Since the question is not clear as to which domain name to change, we will be looking at all.
A. Custom Domain Name
Step 1: Buy Your New Domain
Before you can change your domain on Blogger, you need to buy a new one. You can buy a domain from various registrars such as Google Domains, GoDaddy, Namecheap, or any other domain provider you prefer. Make sure to choose a domain that is easy to remember, relevant to your content, and reflective of your brand.
Step 2: Access Your Blogger Settings
- Sign in to Blogger admin dashboard
- From the dashboard, select the blog for which you want to change the domain name
Step 3: Navigate to the Publishing Settings
- In the left-hand menu, click on Settings
- Under the Basic section, you will see the Publishing settings
Step 4: Set Up a Custom Domain
- Click on + Setup a third-party URL for your blog
- Enter the new domain name you purchased, including the www. (e.g., www.yournewdomain.com)
Step 5: Configure DNS Settings
To connect your new domain to Blogger, you need to update the DNS settings with your domain registrar.
Get DNS Details: Blogger will provide you with two CNAMEs that you need to add to your domain's DNS settings. These CNAMEs include:
- A Name or Host (usually www)
- A Destination or Points to (a Google address like ghs.google.com)
- Another Name which is a long string of characters
- A Destination which is also a long string of characters provided by Blogger.
- Log in to the account where you purchased your domain
- Navigate to the DNS settings for your domain
- Add CNAME Records: Add the two CNAME records provided by Blogger. This step might vary slightly depending on your domain registrar
- Select Add Record or Add CNAME
- Enter the Name/Host and Destination/Points to details
Step 6: Verify and Save
- Once you have added the CNAME records, go back to the Blogger settings page where you entered your new domain
- Click Save. It might take a few minutes for the DNS settings to propagate
Step 7: Enable Redirects
To ensure that your visitors who go to your old blogspot.com address are redirected to your new domain:
In the Blogger settings under Publishing, make sure to check the box that says Redirect yourdomain.blogspot.com to www.yournewdomain.com.
Step 8: Update Your Blog
Update any internal links and references to your old domain within your blog posts and pages.
Let your readers know about the change. Post an update on your blog and share the news on your social media channels.
B. Blogspot domain name
After creating a free blogger site, you will be assigned a free domain name. Here is how to change it:
- Sign into your Blogger admin dashboard
- Scroll down to settings and click on it
- Under 'Publishing', you will see blog address
- Click on the URL as seen in the picture below
- Now, enter the new name you wish to change it to
- Finally, click on 'Save' to save your changes
Reasons for Changing Domain Name
- Rebranding to better reflect your current business or content
- A name easy to remember
- To give credibility and professionalism to your website
- To enhance your visibility on search engines
Disadvantages of Changing Domain Name on Blogger
Though changing you domain name on Blogger can sometimes be good for your business or brand, do not forget there are some problems or disadvantages attached to it. Here are some of the things to note before changing your domain name:
- Temporary drop in search engine traffic and visibility
- Potential loss of link equity and impact on search engine rankings (Loss of Backlinks)
- Confusion among existing readers or customers
- Possible downtime or broken links during the transition
- Time, effort, and potential additional costs involved
- Need to set up new email addresses and ensure proper email forwarding
- Updating all platforms and materials where the old domain is mentioned
- Complications in maintaining accurate data on website performance