How To Add A Custom Domain to Blogger Blogs Using Go Daddy

This article provides exact instructions concerning how to add a custom domain to a Blogger Blog, using the well-known internet provider Go Daddy. If your blog is hosted anywhere other than Blogspot, or you are purchasing a domain from another provider, you will need to refer to instructions supplied by your host, or the company providing your private domain.

When you initially set up a Blogger blog you are asked to choose a Blogspot web address - which may or may not be available, because each must be unique - or given the option of adding a custom domain. If the Blogspot address is available it will be formed as follows: 

http://(your name).blogspot.com - although anyone typing www.(your name).blogspot.com into their browser will be automatically redirected to your blog.

However, many small business owners feel it looks less professional to use a blogspot web address, preferring to add a custom domain and simply host the blog with Blogger. As you can see by checking your browser the url address for this site is a private one (there is no reference to Blogspot), yet this blog is hosted by Blogger. This provision also means that if the blogspot address you've chosen is already in use you can simply purchase a private domain and use that instead. To do so I recommend that you choose any Blogspot address that's relevant to content and then change over immediately to your private domain address. This way, should anything go wrong with your custom domain (like you forget to renew it), you will still have your Blogspot address functioning.

You can use any custom domain name for your blog, and setting it up is fairly simple, depending on which provider you choose. I purchased my domain names from Go Daddy, as their reputation is good and they currently have a great deal on .info addresses (around £0.60 for the first year!); they also offer bulk pricing for those buying a number of domain names. I found Go Daddy's own instructions for adding my domain names to my Blogger account far easier to work with than Blogger's own, which were incredibly confusing and didn't actually work!

How to Add A Custom Domain Using Go Daddy

The following instructions will guide you through purchasing a domain name from www.GoDaddy.com , setting it up correctly to work with your blog, and activating your blog to accept the new domain name:

1. Choose and purchase a domain name; if the one you desire has already been taken, as is fairly likely, a box on the right will suggest similar names available for purchase. If you have your heart set on a particular name there are so many extensions to choose from nowadays that you should be able to purchase some version of it. If you can, choose a .com, .net, .biz, or .info. Alternatively (and this is ideal if your visitors will come from one particular country), you can choose a demographic extension (e.g. .co.uk, .nz, etc.). 
2. Log in to your account manager at Go Daddy and click on 'Domain Manager,' where you'll see a list of your domain names.
3. Check the box for the chosen domain and click on 'Nameservers.' Choose 'park domain' and click 'okay.'
4. In domain manager, click on the web address in question. Under 'Total DNS,' click 'Total DNS Control.'
5. Under CNAMES (Aliases) find the line with www (it should be on the bottom row) and click on the edit button (a small icon to the right with a piece of paper and a pencil).
6. Edit the 'Points to Host Name' to 'ghs.google.com' and save.
7. In 'Domain Manager,' check the box of the address in question and click 'Forward,' choosing 'forward domain.'
8. Enter your blogspot url in the box provided, leaving the box below checked, and press save.
9. Log into your blogger dasboard and click 'Settings.' Under the 'Publishing' tab (which shows which blogspot address you are currently publishing on) you will find a link called 'Custom Domain.'
10. Click on 'Custom Domain,' where you will be given an option of purchasing a domain through Google (you may wish to purchase your domain directly through Google, but do check you can't buy the same name cheaper elsewhere, first).
11. Click on 'Advanced Settings' and enter your new domain address in the box provided, enter the verification code below, and save.
12. Now simply tick the box below your new domain name to redirect DNS traffic, and reverify the code.

You are now hosting your blog on your private domain name!

*If you've just purchased your domain please allow 24-48 hours for your changes to take effect. If after this time there is still an error you should contact Go Daddy customer services on their 24/7 helpline.