How to Set Up a Custom Domain for Blogger

 This section will cover the steps on how to set up a custom domain for Blogger.

Setting up a custom domain is the first step to making your Blogger site look professional and searchable. While Blogger is free, using your own domain name (like ajtaktime.uk) is essential for branding and long-term SEO.

This guide simplifies the entire process, using Hostinger’s hPanel as an example, just as we did for AjtakTime!

Phase 1: Preparation and Purchase

Step 1: Purchase a Domain Name

Before you can connect your custom domain name to your Blogger site, you need to purchase one from a reputable domain registrar.

• Availability Check: Use a domain name checker (like Hostinger’s) to see which names are available.

• Brand Protection: Consider purchasing a bundle of different extensions (like .com, .net, .co.uk) with the same name. This protects your brand and prevents competitors from registering similar names later.

Step 2: Initiate Domain Setup in Blogger

Once you own the domain, you need to get the required verification codes from Google.

1. Navigate to your Blogger dashboard and go to Settings → Custom domain section.

2. Enter your domain name. Note: The domain name must be entered with the www subdomain (e.g., www.yourdomain.com).
   

3. Click on Save.

4. A screen will appear showing the two required CNAME records you need to copy. Keep this screen open!

   
   
   

Phase 2: DNS Configuration (Hostinger hPanel)

Now you will tell your domain registrar (Hostinger) where your blog is hosted (Google/Blogger).

Step 3: Add the Two CNAME Records

You will use your hosting provider’s DNS Zone Editor (hPanel in this example) to input the CNAME records from Blogger.

1. Log in to your hPanel and find the DNS Zone Editor.

   
   
   

2. Edit Existing CNAME: Find and edit the existing CNAME record where the Host is www. Change its Target/Content to:

   ghs.google.com

3. Add New CNAME: Create a new CNAME record using the unique, longer codes provided by Blogger. This record proves ownership.

   

   • Host/Name: The unique short code (e.g., abcde12345)

   • Target/Content: The unique long address (e.g., ghs.xyz7890.dv.googlehosted.com)

4. Save Changes: Save the changes in your DNS Zone Editor.

Step 4 (Mandatory): Add the Four A Records

While this is sometimes called "optional," adding the A records is highly recommended for SEO and reliability. They ensure that visitors who type your domain without the "www" are correctly linked to your site.

• Create four A records using @ (or leaving the Host field blank) that point to the following four Google IP addresses:

• 216.239.32.21

• 216.239.34.21

• 216.239.36.21

• 216.239.38.21

Phase 3: Finalization and SEO Setup

Step 5: Finalize and Wait for Propagation

1. Return to your Blogger Custom Domain settings and click Save. The error message should disappear.

2. Wait Time: Allow up to 24 hours for the DNS settings to fully propagate globally.

Step 6: Activate Redirects and HTTPS (Crucial!)

After your domain is accepted, return to Settings and ensure the following options are ON:

1. Redirect domain: (e.g., Redirect ajtaktime.uk to www.ajtaktime.uk).

2. HTTPS availability: Wait for the "Pending" status to clear (this can take up to an hour).

3. HTTPS redirect: Turn this ON to ensure all traffic uses the secure https:// version.

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Conclusion

Using a custom domain on Blogger is a critical step for professional branding and search engine optimization. By correctly configuring the CNAME and A records, you successfully point your domain to Google’s servers, giving you a short, memorable, and secure web address.

All of the content on AjtakTime is subject to rigorous editorial standards and is based on real-world testing.

Did you find this tutorial useful? Let us know in the comments if you have any questions about DNS!