Tutorial: Transferring a Domain Using Godaddy.com

*****To thank Kristin of Bringing Pretty Back, for being our example blog for this tutorial we are giving her readers 10% all orders from now until October 31st! Just use the code PRETTY10 in your order form. Thanks pretty ladies!*****

Publishing on Blog*Spot is a super easy and FREE way to blog. But if you want your blog to feel more like a "website" you can maintain the ease of using Blogger without the blogspot.com in your URL. Blogger will continue to host all your content (post, widgets, followers etc) just like before, but your blog will be displayed with a new address.
(Unlike FTP publishing, which requires you to buy both a domain name and a hosting service.)


Today we will be talking about using Godaddy.com to transfer your blogspot.com to a .com.
Blogger does have an easier way to transfer domains. They do everything for you! All you have to do is purchase the domain. You can find a video tutorial on how to buy and transfer your domain with Blogger HERE.

So why would you want to even hassle with Godaddy if Blogger will do the transfer for you?
Well with Godaddy you have lots of other perks. Like setting up custom email addresses. You also have the freedom to use your newly purchased domain as a website if you so wish to in the future.

This tutorial consists of three parts.
Part 1:
Buying your domain name
Part 2:
Transferring your domain (blogspot.com to .com)
Part 3:
Blogger set up.


PART 1
The first thing you'll need to do is purchase your domain name.
Go to godaddy.com. On the main page search for a new domain name.

This step finds domains names that have not already been taken.
A new window will pop up with lots and lots of domain choices. You can choose anything from a .com to a .asia!

Once you've clicked "continue to registration" a window will pop up offering you multiple domain names. Click"no thanks."

Then you'll have to fill out the Domain Registration Information form.


Then set your domain settings.


The next step is to chose your Privacy and Domain protection. Choose the package you'd like and click next. I just stick with the standard package.

Next you'll need to activate your domain.
Choose whether you want email addresses and web hosting. You may want to add custom email addresses but you WILL NOT need to buy web hosting. Click "Next".

Review your shopping cart and checkout.


PART 2
You will most likely be logged in to your Godaddy account and ready to do your domain transfer. But if you are not logged in, go to Godaddy.com and sign into your account using your Customer Number or Log In Name and password.


Now on to the fun stuff!!! The actual domain transfer!

We need to set up your DNS settings. DNS stands for Domain Name System, and a DNS server determines what site a given address takes you to. So far, you have a domain name but none of the servers on the internet know what to do with it yet. You'll need to do two things (1) create a CNAME and (2) create ANAMES so visitors who leave off the www won't see an error page.


First we have to create your CNAME alias.

1. In your account settings click "View In Domain Manager"

2. Click the name of the domain you want to transfer.

3. Click "Total DNS Control"

4. Click "Add New CNAME record"

5. In the new window enter www for alias name and enter ghs.google.com for host name.
Click ok, then ok again.


EDIT TO ADD:

If you get this error message after trying to create a new CNAME:
ERROR - Only one CNAME can exist for the hostname www

Your records will already contain a www CNAME. So you will need to click the pencil button out to the right and edit that name instead of creating a new one.


Now you need to set up the server A NAMES and IP numbers for your domain.

7. In the new window type your new domain name into the Host Name area without the www. in front.
Please Note: bringingprettyback.com NOT www.bringingprettyback.com

Type the first IP number in the second box. Click OK.


There are a total of four IP numbers. You will need to repeat step 7 for each of the four IP numbers!!

Those for numbers are:

216.239.32.21 216.239.34.21 216.239.36.21 216.239.38.21

Your DNS setup is now complete!!


PART 3
Hang in there!!!! You are almost done! Now you need to update your Blogger settings.

Log into your Blogger account. Under dashboard click "settings". Under settings click "publishing".

8. Click switch to: "Custom Domain"
Complete the word verification.
Then click "Save Settings"


9. Click "Switch to a advanced settings"



10. Type in your new domain name in the area provided.
Complete word verification.
Click "Save Settings."



DONE!
Now view your blog!

www.bringingprettyback.blogspot.com has become www.bringingprettyback.com

Now you have the benefits of a .com with the easy maintenance of a blogspot!

Sometimes it takes a few hours or even a day or so for the transfer to take place. Don't be nervous, it will happen! If you have any questions or concerns please feel free to email us at info@designerblogs.com and we will try and answer any questions you may have.


That wasn't so bad was it?!
Remember you can always have us DB girls transfer your domain for you, for a $30 fee. We currently only transfer blogs using godaddy.com domains, so keep that in mind if you want us to do your transfer.

And as always if you have any questions or ideas for future tutorials leave a comment here or email us at info@designerblogs.com

Happy Blogging!!