How to Replace Your Blogger/Blogspot Address with a Unique Domain (Website Address) from GoDaddy

Screenshot of blogger address.

You can make mask your blogger address

Having a free blog on blogspot is great! However, it's even better when your blog has your domain name instead of "BLOGSPOT."

For example:
samuelhatton.com or mywonderfulblog.com rather than www.samuelhatton.blogspot.com
(Yes, you can even make it work without the "www.")

...or for your individual posts:

samuelhatton.com/2013/11/3-great-reasons-to-share-food.html or
mywonderfulblog.com/2013/11/3-great-reasons-to-share-food.html rather than www.samuelhatton.blogspot.com/2013/11/3-great-reasons-to-share-food.html

This completely removes the ".blogspot" section of your blog's URL (website address) regardless of home page or when navigating through blog posts. That way you can say to your friend, "Yeah just find me at my blog's name.com!"

Slick.

Disclaimer: your blog's name may already be taken, but you may find a better one through a domain search engine like GoDaddy.

This post outlines how to set this up.

Why having your own domain is important

There are plenty of good reasons to do this.

Namely, when you are ready to move on from blogspot to another platform (like Wordpress) you can keep the same URL (Kind of like keeping your same phone number when changing mobile phone carriers).

This keeps your options open without destroying back-links (other people linking to your website).

Plus links to your blog with the old "blogspot" still in it, also work. It's a WIN-WIN.

Don't yet have a unique web address yet?

I've been using GoDaddy for years. Registering your domain does cost a small annual fee, but it's actually affordable and easy own one.

A) Go to GoDaddy's website <<<<< This link is a special GoDaddy discount link for .coms.

B) In the domain search window, type in the name of the domain you want. Click Go.
This may take a few tries before you get a domain that works.

C) If it's available, click Add.

D) Then Proceed to Checkout.

Note: You may or may not want to add privacy too. This makes it so your personal information is hidden in public directories. This is entirely up to you.

After you have your domain name ... Reroute your blog

This process took me nearly an hour and a half to do, however the STEP BY STEP guide outlined below, should get you there in 10-15 minutes.

This is outlined specifically for GoDaddy domains, but I'm sure you'll find much of this information useful nonetheless.

1) Go to www.blogger.com/home

Click the drop-down next to the blog who's url you want to customize and select Settings.

2) In the Publishing section ...

Click + Add a custom domain.

3) Type in the url of the domain you have purchased

You have to start it with make it www for it to work. (ie. www.samuelhatton.com instead of samuelhatton.com) However, later you can make it so when the www. is not there, it will redirect.

Click Save.

4) You should see an error, but that's okay

This will generate two special CNAMEs that are particular to your blog. If you don't know what CNAMEs are they are simply Alias' you will use to help godaddy.com.

Locate your unique CNAMEs

5) Log in to you account at www.godaddy.com and go to the "My Account" section.

After signing in to GoDaddy, click the drop down next to your sign in name and select Visit My Account.

6) Open the Domains tab ...

Click Launch in the same section as your domain name.

7) Open the DNS Zone File ....

Click Edit.

8) Click Add Record

9) Enter your CNAMEs from blogspot/blogger (see step 4)

These are your Host and Points to names from step 4.

You will need to select the CNAME (Alias) drop down first. 

10) (Skip if already set up) In GoDaddy, make to add www and @ to the CNAME section

Click the CNAME Quick Add button.

Type in "www" for the Host.

Type in "@" for the Points to.

11) Remove your current A (Host)

This is the server that your domain currently points to.

Hover over the A (Host) domain and click the red x.

If this is not working then make sure you are in Edit mode (see step 7).

12) Enter Google IP Addresses into GoDaddy's A (Host) section.

This will allow it so if someone types in samuelhatton.com it will reroute to www.samuelhatton.com. This is a really cool feature and I highly recommend setting it up.

You will need to use these four separate A-records outlined by Google in their troubleshooter blog.

216.239.32.21216.239.34.21216.239.36.21216.239.38.21

Click the Quick Add button and type in each one with an @ for the Host and IP for the Points to.

13) Save the Zone File

Click Save Zone File.

Then you will see these two screens ... just click OK for each.

Though it says may take 48 hours ... it usually only takes a few minutes.

14) Go back to blogger Settings > Basic...

Click Save.

15) Go back to blogger Settings > Basic...

Click Edit.

Check Redirect (yourdomain).com to www.(yourdomain).com.

Click Save.

You should be all set!

Now when you type in your GoDaddy domain with or with out the preceding "www." you will arrive at your blogger blog.

Also even when you go to a specific blog entry the "blogspot" in the web address will be completely removed.

I hope you found this helpful. If you did, please let me know by leaving a comment below. Thanks!

Samuel Hatton is passionate about entrepreneurial activities. He builds,  implements and runs marketing programs at Endsight, SF Bay Area's choice locally outsource IT support provider. He also creates ventures like Life is a Play, a program dedicated to professional development motivation. You can find him on Google+ and Twitter. Samuel is always up for good discussions and activities regarding careers, marketing, entrepreneurship, performance, and dancing.