You can easily setup a custom domain name on Blogspot or Blogger.

By default all blogs are hosted at blogname.blogspot.com. This is the default standard.  You can actually select a different available sub-domain name, if you like. Here is how.

Choosing an available sub-domain

1. Click on the Settings Tab
2. Click on the Publishing Tab
3. You will see “Publish on blogspot.com.
4. Type in the sub-domain of your choosing next to “Blog*Spot Address”.

For many people however it may be preferable to buy a domain name and use that to access the blogger or blogspot content. This has many advantages including:

• It no longer looks like you are using a free service
• It is much easier to remember and type-in a simple domain name
• Later when you migrate to WordPress or another platform it is much easier to redirect traffic and maintain your search engine optimization — or Google juice as many call it these days

Create a Custom Domain Name on Blogger and Blogspot

If you choose to buy a domain, you may either use a service like GoDaddy (my preference) or buy it directly through Blogger where it is amazingly just $10.

Domains are registered through a Google partner and cost $10 (USD) for one year. As part of registration, you will also get a Google Apps account for your new domain. (Aside: My only concern is that I don’t know their terms of service. It may be fine — but I have not checked it out.)

Once you have your domain name purchased and the name server set;

1. Click on the Settings Tab
2. Click on the Publishing Tab
3. You will see “Switch to: • Custom Domain (Point your own registered domain name to your blog)” (see image below)
4. Click on that link
5. Remember to type in www. before your domain name as you are required to use it. You could also use a different subdomain, but this is less likely.  If you don’t enter the www. you will receive this warning: “Blogs may not be hosted at naked domains. Blog host names must have a subdomain. For example, try: www.YourDomainName.com”.

You will see this screen:

Be sure however to also check the box to redirect YourDomainName.com to www.YourDomainName.com. If you don’t you will get an error page or worse yet with godaddy.com you may get their advertising/holding pages.

If you follow these simple steps, you will be using a custom domain name in no time for your blogger or blogspot blog and no longer using a sub-domain at blogspot.com or blogger.com.

Happy domain custom creating.