How to Add a Custom Domain to Blogger Step by Step

In 2025, establishing a professional online presence is crucial for bloggers aiming to stand out in high-CPC markets like the US, UK, Canada, and Australia. One of the most effective ways to elevate your blog’s credibility and SEO performance is by adding a custom domain to your Blogger site. A custom domain, such as yourblog.com, not only enhances branding but also boosts search engine rankings and user trust. This step-by-step guide will walk you through the process of setting up a custom domain on Blogger, optimized for beginners targeting high-value audiences.

Why Use a Custom Domain for Your Blogger Site?

A custom domain replaces the default “.blogspot.com” subdomain with a professional URL, signaling authority and professionalism. According to Moz, branded domains improve click-through rates by up to 20% in search results, making them essential for bloggers in competitive niches like personal finance, tech, or health.

Benefits of a Custom Domain in 2025

• Enhanced Branding: A custom domain like “yourblog.com” is memorable and aligns with your niche.
• Improved SEO: Search engines prioritize branded domains, boosting rankings in high-CPC markets.
• Increased Trust: Readers in the US and UK trust custom domains over free subdomains.
• Monetization Potential: Affiliate programs and ad networks favor professional domains.
• Portability: Own your domain and take it to another platform if needed.

Ready to make your blog stand out? Let’s dive into the step-by-step process to add a custom domain to your Blogger site.

Step 1: Choose and Purchase a Custom Domain

Your domain name is the foundation of your online identity. It should reflect your brand and resonate with audiences in high-CPC regions like Canada and Australia.

How to Pick the Perfect Domain Name

• Keep It Relevant: Choose a name tied to your niche, e.g., “TechBit” for a tech blog.
• Make It Memorable: Short, catchy names work best (e.g., “FitMom” for fitness blogs).
• Use Keywords: Include terms like “blog,” “tips,” or “2025” for SEO, such as “BloggingTips2025.com.”
• Check Availability: Use registrars like Namecheap or GoDaddy to verify availability.
• Opt for .com: It’s the most trusted extension in high-value markets.

Pro Tip: Use tools like Namecheap’s domain search to find affordable domains (starting at $8–$15/year). Avoid hyphens or numbers to maintain professionalism.

Where to Buy Your Domain

Popular domain registrars in 2025 include:

• Namecheap: Affordable pricing and free WHOIS protection.
• GoDaddy: User-friendly interface with 24/7 support.
• Google Domains: Seamless integration with Blogger.

For a reliable option, Namecheap offers competitive pricing and easy DNS management, ideal for beginners.

Step 2: Access Your Blogger Dashboard

Once you’ve purchased your domain, it’s time to connect it to your Blogger site. Start by logging into your Blogger account.

Steps to Prepare Your Blog

1. Log in to Blogger using your Google account.
2. Select the blog you want to add the custom domain to from the dashboard.
3. Navigate to the Settings tab on the left-hand menu.
4. Scroll to the Publishing section, where you’ll find the option to add a custom domain.

Step 3: Configure Your Custom Domain in Blogger

Blogger makes it straightforward to link your custom domain, but you’ll need to update settings in both Blogger and your domain registrar.

Adding the Domain to Blogger

1. In the Publishing section, click Custom Domain.
2. Enter your domain name with “www” (e.g., www.yourblog.com).
3. Check the box for Redirect domain to ensure non-www traffic (yourblog.com) redirects to www.yourblog.com.
4. Click Save. Blogger will generate two CNAME records and an error message (this is normal at this stage).

Understanding CNAME Records

Blogger provides two CNAME records to verify ownership and connect your domain:

• First CNAME: Links your domain to Google’s servers (e.g., Name: www, Value: ghs.google.com).
• Second CNAME: A unique verification code to confirm you own the domain.

Copy these records carefully, as you’ll need them for the next step.

Step 4: Update DNS Settings with Your Domain Registrar

To point your domain to Blogger, you’ll need to update the DNS settings in your registrar’s control panel.

How to Configure DNS Settings

1. Log in to your domain registrar (e.g., Namecheap or GoDaddy).
2. Navigate to the DNS Management or Domain Settings section.
3. Add the two CNAME records provided by Blogger:
   • For the first CNAME, set the Name to “www” and the Value to “ghs.google.com.”
   • For the second CNAME, enter the unique Name and Value provided by Blogger.
4. Add A Records to point your domain to Google’s servers:
   • Host: @, Value: 216.239.32.21
   • Host: @, Value: 216.239.34.21
   • Host: @, Value: 216.239.36.21
   • Host: @, Value: 216.239.38.21
5. Save changes. DNS propagation may take 1–48 hours.

Pro Tip: For detailed guidance on DNS settings, check Google’s official support page for Blogger-specific instructions.

Step 5: Enable HTTPS for Security

HTTPS is critical for SEO and user trust, especially in high-CPC markets like the US and Australia. Blogger offers free HTTPS for custom domains.

Steps to Enable HTTPS

1. Return to the Settings tab in your Blogger dashboard.
2. Under Basic, locate the HTTPS section.
3. Set HTTPS Availability to Yes.
4. Enable HTTPS Redirect to ensure all traffic uses a secure connection.
5. Save changes.

It may take a few hours for HTTPS to activate. Once live, your blog will display a padlock icon, signaling security to readers.

Step 6: Test Your Custom Domain

After DNS propagation, verify that your domain is working correctly.

How to Test

• Visit your domain (e.g., www.yourblog.com) in a browser.
• Check if it redirects to your Blogger site without errors.
• Test the non-www version (yourblog.com) to ensure it redirects to the www version.
• Use tools like SEMrush to confirm your domain is indexed by search engines.

If issues arise, double-check your CNAME and A Records or contact your registrar’s support team.

Step 7: Optimize Your Blog for SEO with a Custom Domain

A custom domain is just the start. To rank higher in competitive markets, optimize your blog for SEO.

SEO Best Practices for 2025

• Update Permalinks: Ensure your blog posts use SEO-friendly URLs (e.g., yourblog.com/best-blogging-tips-2025).
• Submit to Google Search Console: Verify your domain in Google Search Console to monitor performance.
• Create a Sitemap: Generate a sitemap in Blogger and submit it to Google for faster indexing.
• Internal Linking: Boost SEO by linking to related posts. For more tips, see our guide on How to Start a Blog and Make Money in 2025.
• Mobile Optimization: Use a responsive Blogger theme to cater to mobile users (70% of traffic, per Statista).

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Incorrect DNS Settings: Double-check CNAME and A Records to avoid connection issues.
• Skipping HTTPS: Non-secure sites rank lower and deter readers.
• Ignoring Redirects: Ensure non-www traffic redirects to www for a seamless experience.
• Choosing a Weak Domain: Avoid overly generic or irrelevant names that dilute your brand.

Why a Custom Domain Is Worth It in 2025

A custom domain transforms your Blogger site into a professional platform, increasing trust and monetization potential in high-CPC markets. It’s a small investment (as low as $10/year) with significant returns in traffic, rankings, and revenue. Whether you’re blogging about tech in the US or lifestyle in the UK, a custom domain sets you up for long-term success.

Conclusion and Call to Action

Adding a custom domain to your Blogger site is a game-changer for building a professional blog in 2025. By following these steps, you’ll create a branded, SEO-optimized platform ready to attract audiences in high-value markets like the US, Canada, and Australia. Don’t wait—purchase your domain today, connect it to Blogger, and start growing your online presence.

Ready to take your blog to the next level? Follow this guide, publish your first post with your new domain, and explore our blogging tips for 2025 to maximize your earnings!