Jan 30 2009
Setting Up a Custom Domain for Your Blog
Lesson 9: Setting Up a Domain Name
Now that you’ve gotten familiar with Blogger, you should look at setting up a Domain name. I’ve heard horror stories: bloggers have experienced theft of their blog or the blog simply disappeared. Setting up a domain name protects your blog.
When I first started blogging, I was fuzzy about the difference between a domain name and hosting. It was all a confusing mix of information overload.
- Domain–in simple terms, a domain is your personal place on the Web. If you are looking to present your blog in a professional light, purchasing a custom domain is a good approach.
- Hosting–in the usual scenario, you pay for monthly site hosting, which, many bloggers feel, is an unattractive option out of the starting gate.
Now, I’ve mentioned that you can set up a free blog with Blogger. The good news is that for a low fee, you can purchase a custom domain for one year.
As for hosting, my thoughts are: why pay for monthly hosting when, via Blogger, you can have your site hosted for free? If you purchase a domain name via Blogger, your site hosting continues–without charge. That’s a good deal in my books.
Recap
- You can set up a free blog with Blogger
- You can purchase your own custom domain
- Your site hosting continues, free of charge.
Video:Purchasing and Setting up a Custom Domain Through Blogger
Wow! Do I ever need this kind of information. I don’t know where to start.
Hi, Maxigirl,
It can be really confusing when you first get started. That’s why I thought I would design step-by-step instructions, to help people.
There’ll be lots of information so check back often or sign up for e-mail updates.
I don’t know where my subscribe buttons.
Hi Wynn,
Nice to see you at the blog. Now, I think I have even more good news. When you get your domain name, you should also have access to Google Sites.
I haven’t had time to do more than give it a quick look but I believe you can create websites. I think there’s a clip over at YouTube.