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Setting Up A Custom Domain? Here's Advice

I see this question almost daily.
I purchased my domain "xxxxxxx.net". Now, I need to know what is Blogger`s hostname and IP Address. Furthermore, I need a primary and secondary DNS server. Where can i get this information?

or maybe this one
The people I registered with can't give me a CNAME, and so my domain name cannot be used. I've been asking them to get this fixed for a few days now, but this is the message I get from them
We cannot add a DNZ zone in our name server and point it to a NAME directly, we should first point the domain name to an IP address and then it's possible to add a CNAME record like "xxxxx.xxxxxxx.net.
Help!!!

These help requests were written by folks who haven't read the instructions, or who have read incomplete or misleading instructions, like How do I use a custom domain name on my blog?.
... you only need to get the domain name; you don't have to pay extra for hosting service.
would be so much better written as
... you only need to get the domain name, and DNS hosting; you don't have to pay extra for a content hosting service.


(update 2011/04/04): How do I use a custom domain name on my blog? has now been replaced with How do I use a custom domain name for my blog?

Getting the domain name, in Blogger's terms, includes 2 separate services
  • Purchasing the domain name.
  • Hosting the DNS for the domain.


Neither Blogger, nor a Domain Registrar, provides DNS hosting services, you have to arrange that on your own, with a DNS Host. In some cases, the Domain Registration and DNS Hosting may be included in the same bill, but they are separate services. The DNS Host will setup the "NS" records. After that's done, you have to setup a "CNAME" record, on the DNS Hosts servers, and point "blog.xxxxxxx.net" (or whatever you like, that's yours) to "ghs.google.com".

Don't use Frame or URL forwarding, to redirect your domain to "xxxxxxx.blogspot.com".

It's not so difficult.
  • Purchase a domain name.
  • Arrange for DNS Hosting. You may be able to use the services of ZoneEdit (which is free), in some cases.
  • Setup a "CNAME" record.
  • Publish your blog to "blog.xxxxxxx.net"

But you do have to follow the instructions.

>> Forum thread links: bX-*00052

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Comments

Joe Hitterman said…
i do need the ip address and name server because if i dont use those with godaddy people dont get to the blogger site if they dont type in www. before the domain name. if they type in www.domainname.com they get to it. people are lazy and dont include the www. and i want to be prepared for them so i do need it.
Nitecruzr said…
Joe,

That's your choice. Just be careful how you set it up.
Carles said…
Hello,
at namecheap, it seems to add a trailing period at the end of ghs.google.com.

Do you know what to do about this? Or will it be fine?

Thanks!
Nitecruzr said…
Carles,

The trailing period is normal and correct.
Resume Medic said…
Chuck hi!

THANK YOU!

I appreciate you taking the time to help me with my Godaddy domain blog saga.

Not sure I have it resolved yet-- honestly the whole thing has just about given me an ulcer. And no one but you seems to know what's going on.

Thanks again. I'm surfing around your blog for additional information, and everything I read is more helpful than anything I've found elsewhere.

All best,
Nurse Piggy
Nitecruzr said…
Hey NP,

Thanks for the kind words. I'm convinced that Custom Domain publishing is almost infinitely complex, and half of the details Blogger simply has no control over. That's how DNS works - it is _very_ complex.

Then Gatsby, with his "magical form" telling everybody that he can apply a "magic potion", and make all of the problems go away - just confuses the issues. And when he fixes one problem, we never know what he fixed.

I get a headache form thinking about all of it. So, unless you're an RN who is licensed to care for brain hemorrhages caused by people thinking too heavily, I will sign off this soapbox.
KM said…
I tried to create a CNAME for ****.com and diverted it to google blogger.
My blog diverts to ****.com but when i land at ****.com i don't see my blog but the parking page which was the previous destination for this domain.
That is what i send to moniker help and i got this answer:You will need the unique identifier key for your site from google.
Please contact them for this information. Once you have let me know and I will set this up for you.

Where should i find the unique identifier key from google??
Please help!
Nitecruzr said…
Hey King,

Your problem can probably be diagnosed, and maybe even solved, but not just as "****.com". You're going to have to provide the actual domain URL.

And now, we come to the bit where I advise you to post in GBH: Something Is Broken, and include the details needed for diagnosis.
Lol said…
Hi, my confusion is this... somewhere out in the ether someone is hosting my content. Since I sue Google's Blogger I assume that it is them that is hosting my content. It makes sense to me that this would be on the Name Servers that my DNS registration company is asking for. I have moved from an OfficeLive webhost to Blogger and currently the Name Servers are OfficeLive. I surely can't leave those there as the content there is different to my new Blogger content. SO where is my content hosted and why do I not need to to point the Name Servers there? Thank you
Nitecruzr said…
Lol,

May I suggest that you post a problem report in Blogger Help Forum: Something Is Broken, and include the details needed for diagnosis.
Lol said…
Thank you

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