I love Blogger. It’s price efficient (free), easy to use, easy to mess with,
and it just feels like a comfy old pair of jeans.
However, there’s only one problem with it.
You don’t own it.
It could go away tomorrow. Then what?
Are you backing up your blog regularly should this happen? How to back up your blogger blog is HERE.
I myself have purchased my own domain, but just haven’t switched it over yet because:
I’m scared to do it myself for fear of blowing up my blog.
I need a major makeover anyway.
I have to save the funds to hire out for that amazing major makeover.
I need time to design what I want for this amazing major makeover.
Blah Blah Blah
Lots of amazing major reasons/excuses.
But the #1 reason I waited so long to purchase my own domain was because
I didn’t know HOW
Really. You’d think for the amount of nerdy things I do on all things blog, I’d have this one nailed. But every time I went for a purchase, I ended up with more questions than answers.
And then a website developer friend recommended Site 5… and that’s the day the heavens opened up and showered domain kindness on me.
There’s one main reason I purchased through Site 5. This is sheer brilliance…
Chat window help!
I’m totally serious. A chat window helped me out. It was like my own personal guru at my beck and call.
That poor soul worked for his keep the day I landed there. I asked all the dumb questions as he guided me through every single little selection click I made. There are lots of confusing options out there and this way I didn’t have to email 101 people for advice yet again.
And then there’s web hosting.
With Site 5, you purchase your domain as well as your web hosting which works out to a really great deal if done together. And this way you won’t delay in just purchasing a domain and sitting on it for too long like me. After all, you’re paying for it now…
Yes, this costs money but it isn’t that much. The longer you purchase it for, the cheaper it gets. And your domain name is free for a limited amount of time with that deal!
Affiliate link option!
And because I was so stinkin’ pleased with the ease of how to do it all this way, I fired up this affiliate link on my blog sidebar. Because if someone clicks on your link and orders through it, you get a small credit thrown back on your account. Cool… (and thank-you if you click!!)
BUT that is SO NOT the reason for this post. You need to get set up right and this was the most painless way I felt there was.
Own domain on Blogger
And just so you know, you can have your own domain and run it through your Blogger template. If I knew how, I’d do that too. It’s just that I’m not willing to risk a blog this size to do it on my own and my hired help is currently booked.
Blogger vs WordPress?
There’s also THIS issue. I’ll be eventually moving over to WordPress because
#1. I want to own everything I use,
#2. it just has more organizing options and
#3. really awesome SEO benefits.
But the thought scares me deeply. DEEPLY. I love Blogger. So I hesitate.
When is it time to make the move?
I justify making this move if you’re deadly serious about your blog becoming your life’s work. Or you’re already earning money from your blog. If you rely on your blog for income, it’s rather comforting to know you own it, don’t you think?
Anyway, start with your domain and cross your fingers it’s still available for you. Because once someone else snatches it up, it’s gone unless you attempt to purchase it from them or it becomes available some lucky year.
And please .. try and name your blog the same name as your domain name. Do this if you’re starting up a brand new blog on Blogger too. It makes searching for you SO. MUCH. EASIER.
And trust me, you don’t want me more confused than I already am… 🙂
All 31 Day posts to date are HERE.
Visit the blog’s sidebar archives for the individual listings HERE.
I had to chuckle when I noticed the time in the screenshot of the chat window: 3:26 A.M. Well, they say the early bird gets the worm….!
~Laura
Good eye Laura! I refused to give up that night until I had that domain!!! Poor chat window guy didn’t get a wink of sleep. 🙂
Donna
Wow Donna – reading this post was like reliving my whole blog/domain/blogger/wordpress decision last year. I started with blogger, love it for the reasons you probably still user blogger :). But I wanted something more customizable – something that is MINE. So I went off to get my own domain and decided to switch over to wordpress – again for the same reasons you’ve listed above on your post :). After weeks…months…of setting up my new site just right – I was missing blogger. Long story short(ish) – I am now back on blogger (still love it) but I have my own domain using blogger – to me it’s a nice middle ground. I have the non-blogger address/url while having all the great blogger benefits.
I hope you find a solution that is right for you – and just do what feels right for you. And if that ‘right’ no longer feels right – you move on and consider other tools :).
You probably already know this ’cause you are so savvy 😉 – don’t completely transition over to a new site until you are pretty sure your new one is 99.99999% setup as you need it….and even then keep your old site available ’cause you never know what’s going to happen.
Sorry-it’s late and I’m rambling 🙂
-Q
This is a great post. Go Daddy also has domain names and quite cheap I might add. They also have instant chat and so on. I’m so happy that you have a domain name that fits what you are doing. For those of us that are still fumbling around, a domain name….well, let’s just say that hasn’t really happened for me. Thanks for sharing. I can’t sleep tonight!
Hmmm! I have never even thought of doing this! Ha! Now I hav3e something new to consider! Sigh!
Oh dear!
Hugs
SueAnn
You will like word press. That is what my blog is done with…now with 25 kids in school and a toddler, I just need to find the time to actually post to it! I am also in the process of trying to get away from the template and get something from scratch. The days need more hours!
Getting your own domain through Blogger is easy as pie. Truly. It costs $10 a year and you don’t have to do a big move. I think Blogger has come a long way toward being more customizable if you take the time to really look at some of the options, too. Email me at northdixieATgmail.com for how to get your own domain on Blogger.
I’ve heard a lot of people talk about how much they love WordPress so I signed up for a free blog to see what all the hoo-ha is about. We’ll see.
For people whose blogs ARE their art, it makes sense to find the next best place. But I like my blog at Blogger and I need to focus more on making the art and less on the blogging. So I’ve said no to moving for now. 😉
I just went & backed up my blog! Thank you for the reminder 🙂 Just so you know, the export button isn’t in “basic” in the new format of blogger, it’s in “other”. Anyway, I will look into purchasing my domain today 🙂 Thank you!
I do have a domain name and web hosting. I’d like to know how to run the domain through blogger template. There’s so much to learn, so much to do every day.
Have a great weekend ~ FlowerLady
You know that you can link your new domain name to your blogspot address. I think if you buy through blogger it’s super easy but I bought mine through GoDaddy. In GoDaddy there is a box you check and add your blospot address….so any time someone types in ModVintageLife.com….they get sent to modvintagelife.blogspot.com. The little guy in the corner will be able to tell you how to do that. I hate to leave blogger because of the ease of use and how easy it is to connect to other blogspot bloggers.
I also used GoDaddy and own two domain names…one for my clothing line and one for the blog. On good advice right when I started out, this has been in effect since I began. But I didn’t realize the UBER importance of it until you wrote about your Blogger friend….made my tummy tighten….Thank goodness for a good mentor!
You are doing a great service with this series!
When I did my big change from 3RingCottage to COTTAG3, I decided to get my own domain through Blogger. It was super easy (a little nerve-racking for about 3 days on my part but super easy). Dashboard>settings>publishing and out to the side it says “need a domain? buy one now”. Click it. It will move everything over on its own, automatically redirect your old blog to your new one and the process is complete in about 3 days. It walks you through it and yes, it’s only 10 dollars a year. I’m really happy I did it.
My son in law and daughter have their blogs on wordpress and have been telling me to switch forever ~ I have been nervous about it just because of the comfort thing but I love the idea of switching to my own domain and keeping blogger ~
I am curious how it would work if I already have a website using katiesrosecottage ~ maybe I should buy katiesrosecottageblog ~ hmmmmm ~
I owned my domain name for years and finally routed it to blogger. SO much happier now that I made the leap!
You know a month or so ago I tried to buy my domain but it was taken…which was a bummer. I bought my own name though…not sure what my next step will be.
Hey my sweet friend! I haven’t talked to you in sooo long! Just wanted you to know I’ve been reading everything you write for the 31 Days series… it’s really been sinking in. Thanks for thinking of us “small guys” out here. I’m taking your advice and trying to get some things going. I’m like you–have that “day job” that sometimes gets in the way. But trying not to let that stop me.
Just know I so appreciate all your wisdom and advice- and look to you as a mentor through this blogging/business adventure.
Oh, and already have the .com- got one thing right 🙂
Sending hugs your way 🙂
I haven’t switched my writing blog over to WordPress yet because I started a new homeschooling blog on WordPress to test it out first. I hired out the set up and design and also got tutoring about how to use it. BUT…I’ve yet to make it public even though I started this process a couple months ago.
Unlike so many others, I think WordPress has a pretty steep learning curve, but then I’m not as tech savvy as you are. I’ve had glitches and issues and it just hasn’t been the piece of cake I thought it would be from everyone’s raving.
I have missed the ease of Blogger many times and, like I said, I still use it for my writing blog. And I’m still undecided whether I actually want to switch that blog over to WordPress. If I ever feel truly comfortable with WordPress I’ll probably do it, but I’m a long way from that point!
So…just another perspective.
However, I have wondered many times why you don’t switch yours over because it is a big business for you and you really do need to own it all.
I started my blog, using WordPress. I wanted to own my site, name, and figured there would be a learning curve for either one I startted with. I can’t really say WordPress is any “harder” to learn than Blogger, since the only thing I’ve used is WordPress. I was overwhelmed in the beginning, but feel somewhat like a pro now. I went through some “horror” stories when I first started out, and finally found a great designer and support person. There are many great “support” videos for wordpress and would share if you’d like. Good luck, I do love WordPress, but again it’s the only thing I know.
#17 Bonita, in a word? SCARED. 🙂
Donna
Great post, Donna! I’ve already backed up my blog. The other info you provided started the wheels spinning, not only for my blog, but another project I’m working on as well. I’m now going in a completely different direction with it. You have no idea how timely this post was for me. Thanks!
Great info, Donna! I’ve only been blogging for a couple of weeks so I’m not near ready for a switchover but this is the first I’ve heard about backing up my blog. I’m learning so much from this series – thanks!
I’m kinda at the middle ground. 🙂 I own my domain name. But, I have it re-directing to blogger. So, blogger is still hosting it. And, if google decided to suddenly drop blogger, I’d be toast.
I would move to WordPress (and host someplace other than Blogger), but I’m not sure if WordPress is user friendly.
Anyway, own domain.
Check.
Rest, um…nope.
I just recently moved my blog from blgoger to wordpress and I love wordpress but did it all myself and it was SO much work. I learned a ton of new skills though! Great tip today!
Knew nothing about backing up my blog so thanks for that tip! I’ve only been blogging for a couple months & am in the process of having a name change & new design & the designer told me to definetly buy my new name through google so she is going to walk me through that ….thankgoodness!!!! I have no clue about the hosting thing you are talking about but I’ll google that! 🙂 Good tips!
Hi Donna! I love your blog! I just want to say thank you for sharing everything you’ve learned and for being so inspiring! I wrote a blog post today about you and I hope you check it out 🙂
http://www.aperfectlycrazylife.blogspot.com
I had lost all access to my blog, and my email this summer when Google screwed up a password change. Frightening how much is actually connected to MBD’s name. And believe me if you think that you can remember serious things like the top 5 people you email everyday, and what you password was 3 years ago, you won’t.
I have my own domain name through GoDaddy, but I know that I need to change the blog to that also…kind of worried about doing it, what if it crashes? LOL.
Someday I will be brave. Thanks for the enthusiastic encouragement.
Jen @ Muddy Boot Dreams
So true about the domain name. I must own it. and worpress hands down.
Even though I blog on blogger I own several domains through tripod. All of the domains go to my one website. I pay 9.95 a month and it’s so easy to use. I keep hearing everyone rave about wordpress but I just don’t get the advantage of moving.
You can always transfer your domain to a different host (wordpress or blogger), but you can’t go and change everyone’s links to your website throughout the internet. So having a permanent domain address is important for networking as much as identity. I would encourage anyone to do it sooner rather than later. You don’t want a bunch of dead links out there on the internet!
Oh. This is all to much for me to take in!!!! roflmao!!! Like you did and Scarlet O’Hara said…I will think about it tomorrow. After all, tomorrow is another day!
I moved my blog from Blogger to wordpress, it was not terribly difficult (even for me)…good luck.
Just close your eyes and JUMP!
Be well,
Jess
to buy your domain on blogger, you don’t have to change anything, they do it all for you. it’s totally painless!
Just wanted to say I have gone and done it. And thank you for writing this post.
I had talked to a amazing tech at Site 5 he was very helpful, you are right. And the only reason I didn’t go through them is because I get the same thing through Go Daddy, and didn’t have to migrate to WordPress to do it.
Thanks so much for the encouragement.
Jen @ Muddy Boot Dreams
Good info thanks Donna.
Learned so much from your post and all the comments of others’ thoughts and experiences. Thank you!
I forgot all about the back up thing, did it in just a couple of seconds, thanks!
I wish you wouldn’t move to WordPress, I don’t like it as a user and alot of the novice blog followers have told me the same thing. It may be user friendly for the blog owner but not the user. I know that’s the “in” thing to do, but I have stopped following alot of people who have moved over! Just sayin!
Thanks for the kick in the butt Donna! Thanks to you I purchased my domain TODAY. No more putting it off. And I got a GREAT deal through godaddy… who coincidentally has a built-in app for wordpress on their hosting. My site was built on wordpress.com so now i’ll just have to move it to wordpress.org and I’m good to go!
THANK YOU FOR THE MOTIVATION!
Dana @ craftedniche.wordpress.com
Love this post, Lady! I bought my domains a couple of years ago (just got my renewal notice and the price has gone up – but of course!) I’m like you though, I’m terrified of actually jumping ship. Skeery!!
I’m off to read the rest of your fabo series. 🙂