How to Add Custom Domain to Blogger (With Screenshots): Complete Step-by-Step Guide 2025

Adding a custom domain to your Blogger blog is one of the most important steps in establishing a professional online presence. While Blogger provides a free subdomain (yoursite.blogspot.com), using a custom domain like yoursite.com enhances credibility, improves SEO rankings, and gives you complete control over your brand identity.

In this comprehensive guide, we'll walk you through the entire process of adding a custom domain to Blogger, from purchasing your domain to configuring DNS settings and troubleshooting common issues.

Why Use a Custom Domain for Your Blogger Blog?

Before diving into the technical setup, let's understand why switching from a Blogger subdomain to a custom domain is crucial for your blog's success.

Enhanced Professional Credibility

A custom domain immediately establishes trust with your audience. Compare "johndoe.blogspot.com" to "johndoe.com" – the latter appears more professional and memorable. This credibility boost can significantly impact your blog's perception among readers, potential partners, and search engines.

Improved SEO Performance

Search engines favor websites with custom domains over subdomains. Google's algorithm considers custom domains as more authoritative, potentially leading to higher search rankings. Additionally, you'll have complete control over your site's SEO structure, including URL optimization and site architecture.

Brand Ownership and Control

With a custom domain, you own your web address completely. This means you're not dependent on Blogger's policies or potential platform changes. If you ever decide to migrate to WordPress or another platform, you can maintain your domain and preserve your SEO value.

Better Analytics and Tracking

Custom domains provide cleaner analytics data and easier integration with tools like Google Analytics, Search Console, and various marketing platforms. This improved tracking capability helps you make data-driven decisions about your content strategy.

Prerequisites Before Adding a Custom Domain

Before starting the domain setup process, ensure you have the following:

Domain Registration

You'll need to purchase a domain from a registrar like GoDaddy, Namecheap, Google Domains, or Cloudflare. Choose a domain that reflects your blog's niche and is easy to remember. Consider these factors when selecting your domain:

Keep it short and memorable
Avoid hyphens and numbers
Choose a relevant extension (.com is preferred)
Ensure it aligns with your brand

Blogger Account Access

Make sure you have administrative access to your Blogger account. You'll need to navigate through Blogger's settings to configure your custom domain properly.

Basic Understanding of DNS

While we'll explain everything step-by-step, having a basic understanding of DNS (Domain Name System) concepts will help you troubleshoot potential issues more effectively.

Step 1: Purchasing Your Custom Domain

The first step in adding a custom domain to Blogger is purchasing the domain from a reputable registrar. Here's how to choose and buy your domain:

Choosing the Right Domain Registrar

Popular domain registrars include:

GoDaddy: Widely used with extensive customer support
Namecheap: Competitive pricing with good security features
Google Domains: Seamless integration with Google services
Cloudflare: Excellent security and performance features
Domain.com: User-friendly interface with good pricing

Domain Purchase Process

Visit your chosen registrar's website
Search for your desired domain name
Check availability and select your preferred extension
Add the domain to your cart
Choose registration period (1-10 years typically)
Complete the checkout process
Verify your email and complete domain registration

Pro Tip: Many registrars offer discounted first-year pricing, but pay attention to renewal rates to avoid surprises.

Step 2: Accessing Blogger Settings

Once you have your domain, it's time to configure it in Blogger. Follow these steps to access the necessary settings:

Logging into Blogger

Navigate to www.blogger.com
Sign in with your Google account
Select the blog you want to add the custom domain to
Click on "Settings" in the left sidebar

Navigating to Publishing Settings

Within the Settings menu, you'll find the "Publishing" section where you can configure your custom domain. This is where the magic happens – connecting your purchased domain to your Blogger blog.

Step 3: Adding Your Custom Domain in Blogger

Now comes the crucial step of actually adding your custom domain to Blogger. This process involves several important configurations:

Entering Your Domain

In the Publishing settings, look for the "Custom domain" section
Click on "Set up a custom domain"
Enter your domain name (example: yourblog.com)
Click "Save"

Important Note: Blogger will initially show an error message – this is normal and expected. The error occurs because your domain's DNS settings haven't been configured yet.

Understanding the DNS Configuration Requirements

After entering your domain, Blogger will provide you with specific DNS records that need to be added to your domain registrar's DNS settings. These typically include:

CNAME record: Points your domain to Blogger's servers
A records: Provide IP addresses for domain resolution
AAAA records: IPv6 addresses for modern internet compatibility

Blogger will display these records in a format similar to:

CNAME: www → ghs.google.com
A: @ → 216.239.32.21
A: @ → 216.239.34.21
A: @ → 216.239.36.21
A: @ → 216.239.38.21

Step 4: Configuring DNS Settings at Your Domain Registrar

This step is crucial and varies depending on your domain registrar. We'll cover the most popular registrars:

DNS Configuration for GoDaddy

Log into your GoDaddy account
Navigate to "My Products" and find your domain
Click "DNS" next to your domain name
Add the CNAME record:
- Type: CNAME
- Host: www
- Points to: ghs.google.com
- TTL: 1 Hour
Add the A records:
- Type: A
- Host: @
- Points to: [Each IP address provided by Blogger]
- TTL: 1 Hour

DNS Configuration for Namecheap

Sign into your Namecheap account
Go to "Domain List" and click "Manage" next to your domain
Navigate to the "Advanced DNS" tab
Add the required records as provided by Blogger
Save all changes

DNS Configuration for Cloudflare

Log into your Cloudflare dashboard
Select your domain
Go to the "DNS" section
Add the CNAME and A records as specified by Blogger
Ensure the proxy status is set to "DNS only" (gray cloud)

General DNS Configuration Tips

Regardless of your registrar, follow these best practices:

Double-check all record entries for accuracy
Use the exact values provided by Blogger
Set appropriate TTL values (1 hour is recommended)
Remove any conflicting existing records
Save all changes before leaving the DNS management interface

Step 5: Verifying Domain Connection

After configuring your DNS settings, you need to verify that everything is working correctly:

Checking DNS Propagation

DNS changes can take anywhere from a few minutes to 48 hours to propagate globally. You can check the status using online tools like:

DNS Checker
What's My DNS
DNS Propagation Checker

Testing Your Domain

Wait at least 15-30 minutes after making DNS changes
Try accessing your domain in a web browser
Check if your blog loads correctly
Verify that both www.yourdomain.com and yourdomain.com work

Returning to Blogger Settings

Once DNS propagation is complete:

Return to your Blogger settings
Go back to the "Publishing" section
Re-enter your custom domain
Click "Save" – this time it should work without errors

Step 6: Enabling HTTPS (SSL Certificate)

Security is paramount for modern websites. Blogger provides free SSL certificates for custom domains:

Activating HTTPS

In your Blogger settings, locate the "HTTPS" section
Toggle on "HTTPS Redirect"
This ensures all traffic is automatically redirected to the secure HTTPS version

Verifying SSL Certificate

Check that your SSL certificate is working by:

Visiting your site with https:// prefix
Looking for the padlock icon in your browser
Using SSL testing tools to verify certificate validity

Step 7: Setting Up Redirects

Proper redirects ensure you don't lose existing traffic and SEO value:

Blogspot to Custom Domain Redirect

Blogger automatically handles redirects from your old blogspot.com URL to your new custom domain. However, verify this is working by:

Visiting your old blogspot.com URL
Confirming it redirects to your custom domain
Testing various blog post URLs to ensure they redirect properly

www vs Non-www Preference

Decide whether you want your primary domain to use www or not:

www.yourdomain.com (with www)
yourdomain.com (without www)

Configure this preference in your Blogger settings to ensure consistency.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Even with careful setup, you might encounter some issues. Here are solutions to common problems:

"Domain Not Available" Error

This error typically occurs when:

DNS settings aren't configured correctly
DNS propagation hasn't completed
There are conflicting DNS records

Solution: Verify your DNS settings, wait for propagation, and remove any conflicting records.

SSL Certificate Issues

If HTTPS isn't working:

Wait 24-48 hours for SSL certificate provisioning
Ensure your DNS settings are correct
Contact your domain registrar if issues persist

Redirect Loops

If you encounter infinite redirects:

Check your DNS settings for accuracy
Verify HTTPS redirect settings in Blogger
Clear your browser cache and cookies

Site Not Loading

If your site doesn't load at all:

Confirm DNS propagation using online tools
Check for typos in DNS record entries
Ensure you're using the correct IP addresses provided by Blogger

Advanced Configuration Options

For users wanting more control, consider these advanced options:

Email Forwarding

Set up email forwarding to receive emails sent to addresses at your custom domain. Most registrars offer this feature in their DNS management panels.

Subdomain Configuration

You can create subdomains for different purposes:

blog.yourdomain.com for your main blog
shop.yourdomain.com for e-commerce
news.yourdomain.com for news content

Analytics Integration

After your custom domain is active, update your analytics tracking:

Modify Google Analytics settings to reflect your new domain
Update Google Search Console property
Set up new social media profiles with your custom domain

SEO Considerations After Domain Change

Switching to a custom domain affects your SEO, but proper handling minimizes negative impacts:

Search Console Setup

Add your new custom domain to Google Search Console
Submit an updated sitemap
Monitor for crawl errors and fix them promptly

Content Audit

After the domain change:

Check all internal links and update them to use your new domain
Update any hardcoded links in your content
Verify that images and resources load correctly

Social Media Updates

Update your social media profiles to reflect your new domain:

Update bio links on all platforms
Change profile URLs where possible
Announce the domain change to your followers

Monitoring and Maintenance

Your custom domain setup requires ongoing attention:

Regular Monitoring

Check domain renewal dates to avoid expiration
Monitor DNS settings for unauthorized changes
Keep track of SSL certificate status

Performance Optimization

Regularly test site loading speed
Monitor uptime and availability
Optimize images and content for better performance

Security Maintenance

Keep Blogger platform updated (handled automatically)
Monitor for security vulnerabilities
Consider additional security measures like two-factor authentication

Best Practices for Custom Domain Success

Content Strategy

With your professional domain in place:

Develop a consistent content calendar
Focus on high-quality, valuable content
Optimize posts for SEO with proper keyword research

Brand Consistency

Use your custom domain across all marketing materials
Maintain consistent branding across all platforms
Create professional email addresses using your domain

Technical Optimization

Regularly audit your site for technical issues
Keep plugins and themes updated (if using custom templates)
Monitor Core Web Vitals and other performance metrics

Cost Considerations

Understanding the ongoing costs helps with budget planning:

Domain Registration Costs

Initial registration: $10-15 per year (varies by extension)
Renewal costs: Often higher than initial registration
Premium domains: Can cost significantly more

Additional Services

Consider these optional services:

Domain privacy protection: $5-10 per year
Professional email hosting: $5-15 per month
CDN services for improved performance: $10-50 per month

Future-Proofing Your Setup

Plan for long-term success:

Backup Strategies

Regular content backups through Blogger's export feature
Documentation of your DNS settings
Screenshots of important configuration screens

Migration Planning

If you ever need to move to another platform:

Your custom domain makes migration easier
Export all content before making changes
Plan the migration during low-traffic periods

Conclusion

Adding a custom domain to your Blogger blog is a crucial step in establishing a professional online presence. While the process involves several technical steps, following this comprehensive guide ensures a smooth transition from your blogspot.com subdomain to a professional custom domain.

The benefits of using a custom domain – improved credibility, better SEO performance, and complete brand control – far outweigh the modest costs and setup time required. With proper configuration and ongoing maintenance, your custom domain will serve as a solid foundation for your blog's long-term success.

Remember that DNS changes can take time to propagate, so patience is key during the initial setup. Once everything is configured correctly, you'll have a professional domain that enhances your blog's credibility and helps you build a stronger online brand.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How long does it take for a custom domain to work after setup? A: DNS propagation typically takes 15 minutes to 48 hours, with most changes becoming active within a few hours.

Q: Can I use a custom domain I already own? A: Yes, you can use any domain you own by configuring the DNS settings as outlined in this guide.

Q: Will I lose my existing blog traffic when switching to a custom domain? A: No, Blogger automatically redirects traffic from your old blogspot.com URL to your new custom domain.

Q: Do I need to pay extra for SSL certificates? A: No, Blogger provides free SSL certificates for all custom domains.

Q: Can I change my custom domain later? A: Yes, but it's not recommended as it can negatively impact SEO. Plan carefully when choosing your domain.

This guide was last updated in June 2025. Domain registration processes and Blogger interface may change over time. Always refer to your registrar's current documentation and Blogger's help resources for the most up-to-date information.