6 Reasons Why You Should be using a Custom Domain Name for your Blog
I’m really blown away by the lack of enthusiasm in the blogosphere over the new FREE Custom Domains feature that Blogger has so generously offered to Blogspot users.
But the reasons for wanting your own Custom Domain Name isn’t only just for Blogspot users. It goes for ALL bloggers as well, so let me explain the benefits of getting your own custom domain name.
I don’t think a lot of people appreciate or understand what this really means. Everyone it seems is more worried about how it will affect their site pagerank instead of embracing this wonderful feature with both arms outstretched.
Why you should be using Custom Domains for your Blog:
1. After you have purchased your own domain name you will own it instead of Blogspot. Right now Blogspot is getting all of the credit for your pagerank - not YOU.
2. Once you purchase your own domain name you will also own your posts. Because your posts will no longer be owned by Blogspot, YOU will get all of the credit for your post pagerank and not Blogspot.
3. And because you will now own your own domain, you can move your site wherever you want and keep all of your posts and pagerank with you.
4. Your site statistics will no longer be split. Right now I own http://www.blogbloke.com, and I have that URL forwarded to my http://instabloke.blogspot.com address. The problem is I have to insert two separate codes for each URL (my custom domain and blogspot) into my template to track my traffic, which splits the data for my real traffic stats.
5. URL forwarding can be confusing because it creates a frame that makes every page show as only the main site address instead of the actual post page. So trying to navigate your site can create unexpected results and frustration for your readers. Frames also confuse the search engines (i.e. GoogleBot) which can have deleterious affects on your PageRank and SEO.
6. It also creates a problem for blog tracking sites. For the same reasons above it confuses the data for sites such as the Truth Laid Bear, Alexa and Technorati etc., so your pagerank with them also gets diluted.
Trust me folks when I say the benefits of owning your own domain far outweigh any concerns that you could ever have (with only one caveat). This alone is the most exciting feature that Blogger has introduced and I’m recommending that everyone take advantage of this generous offer.
Filed under: blog bloke, blogbloke, blog, blog tips, blogging, web 2.0, blogger, custom domain, blogspot, seo, pagerank
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I’m excited about it! Planning to take advantage of it when I can spare ten bucks!
Good for you ohdave. Everyone should be excited about it! BTW, I use GoDaddy and if you Google search for “GoDaddy Coupons” you should be able to grab a domain name for about $6 US.
I frequently used to wached your post,it was worthed to pay attention,it’s helpful,useful,thanks
It was my pleasure.
Bloke, it’s good to see you try this feature and your new domain works fine.
however some things doesn’t work like what blogger staff says:
1. your blogspot domain name Blog Bloke.blogspot.com doesn’t redirect to your new domain
2. each post permalink still uses blogspot domain
regards
Thanks rangga. Again we seem to be receiving conflicting information. Does anybody else also have any experience with this?
What I need to know is are the post pages still showing up on blogspot?
Ok, when you want something done right — do it yourself my momma always told me.
So I found an old domain name that I haven’t been using and just made the change. Apparently it will take one to two days for the DNS to take effect so I will let let you know how it goes.
Can’t wait, pant, pant.
This absolutely rocks.
However, since there’s still some kinks to be worked out, is there a definitive forum discussion on this topic where the members have worked out all the issues?
Hi Cinnamon. Delicious name
I’m not sure, but you might want to check out Google Groups for starters.
Please let me know if you find anything.
My opinion is anyone who’s really serious about blogging or who’s blogging for their business - needs to do so on a customized URL.
ditto!
ya… thats right i am plannng buy one….. soon thnx for such an wonder full post
Go for it Nicholas!
Dec 30th, 2007 at 11:32 pm
[…] of using a custom domain you might ask? Well, rather than repeat myself just read my other post 6 Reasons Why You Should be using a Custom Domain Name for your Blog and it will explain it all for […]