How to Connect a Custom Domain (from Name Cheap) on Blogger site

Name Cheap domains

Of course! Connecting a custom domain can seem daunting, but it's a very logical process. Think of it like telling the post office (Namecheap) the exact address of your new house (Blogger).

Here is a step-by-step guide written specifically for a beginner. Follow these instructions carefully, and you'll have your custom domain working in no time.

What You Need Before You Start

1.  Your Blogger blog (e.g., `yourcoolblog.blogspot.com`).

2.  Your custom domain purchased from Namecheap (e.g., `yourcoolblog.com`).

Let's get started\!

Part 1: Telling Blogger Your New Domain Address

First, we need to log in to Blogger and tell it that we want to use our new domain. This is how we get the special "directions" to give to Namecheap.

1.  Log in to your Blogger account

2.  In the top-left menu, select the blog you want to connect.

3.  On the left-hand menu, click on Settings.

4.  Scroll down to the Publishing section.

5.  Click on Custom domain.

6.  A box will pop up. In this box, type your domain name. You must include "www." at the beginning.

For example, if your domain is myawesomeblog.com you must type www.myawesomeblog.com

7.  Click the Save button.

8.  An error will appear\! This is completely normal. Do not worry. Blogger is now giving you the two special codes (called CNAME records) that you need to give to Namecheap.

The screen will show you two CNAMEs under the error message. They will look something like this:

Name: `www`, Destination: `ghs.google.com`

Name: `_xxxxxxxxxxxx`, Destination: `gv-xxxxxxxxxxxx.dv.googlehosted.com`

IMPORTANT: Keep this Blogger page open in your browser tab. You will need to copy and paste these values exactly.

Part 2: Giving the "Directions" to Namecheap

Now, let's go over to Namecheap to add the codes that Blogger gave us.

1.  Log in to your Namecheap account in a new browser tab.

2.  Go to your Dashboard or Domain List.

3.  Find the domain you want to connect and click the MANAGE button next to it.

4.  Click on the Advanced DNS tab.

5.  You will see a section called HOST RECORDS. This is where we will add our codes. You might see some default records already there. You can delete any existing CNAME or A records by clicking the little trash can icon next to them.

6.  Now, click the ADD NEW RECORD button.

Let's add the two CNAME records from Blogger:

First CNAME Record:

  Type: Select `CNAME Record` from the dropdown menu.

  Host: Type `www`.

  Value: Type `ghs.google.com`.

  TTL: Leave this as `Automatic`.

  * Click the green checkmark to save the record.

Second CNAME Record:

Click ADD NEW RECORD again.

Type: Select `CNAME Record`.

Host: Go back to your Blogger tab and copy the first part of the second CNAME (the shorter, unique code like `_xxxxxxxxxxxx`). Paste it here.

Value: Go back to your Blogger tab and copy the second part of the CNAME (the longer code that ends in `.googlehosted.com`). Paste it here.

TTL: Leave as `Automatic`.

Click the green checkmark to save.

Adding A-Records (A Crucial Final Step\!)

This step ensures that if someone forgets to type "www." (e.g., they just type `yourcoolblog.com`), they are still redirected to your blog. You must add four separate A-Records.

Click ADD NEW RECORD four times to create the following records:

 Record 1:

      Type: `A Record`

      Host: `@`

      Value: 216.239.32.21

      Save it.

 Record 2:

      Type: `A Record`

      Host: `@`

      Value: 216.239.34.21

      Save it.

  Record 3:

      Type: `A Record`

      Host: `@`

      Value: 216.239.36.21

      * Save it.

  Record 4:

      Type: `A Record`

      Host: `@`

      Value: 16.239.38.21

      * Save it.

When you're done, your Host Records section should look like this (with your own unique CNAME code, of course):

Part 3: Finalizing the Connection in Blogger

Now that we've given Namecheap the correct directions, we go back to Blogger to confirm.

1.  Go back to the Blogger settings page you left open.

2.  Click the Save button under your custom domain name again.

3.  This time, the error should disappear, and the setting should save successfully\!

Don't Panic If It Doesn't Save Immediately It can sometimes take 15-30 minutes for the changes you made on Namecheap to be visible to Blogger. If it doesn't work, take a short break and try clicking "Save" again later.

Part 4: The Waiting Game (DNS Propagation)

Your domain is now connected\! However, it can take some time for the new settings to spread across the entire internet. This is called DNS propagation.

This process can take anywhere from 30 minutes to 24 hours. Usually, it's done within a few hours.

During this time, your new domain might work for you but not for your friend in another city. This is normal.

Just be patient and let the internet do its thing.

Part 5: Enable Final Important Settings

Once your domain is active and you can visit `www.yourcoolblog.com`, there are two last settings to enable in Blogger.

1.  Go back to Blogger \> Settings \> Publishing.

2.  Redirect domain: Turn this toggle ON. This automatically sends visitors from `yourcoolblog.com` to `www.yourcoolblog.com` for consistency.

3. HTTPS availability: It might say "Status: Pending" or "No". Wait for it to become available (this can take up to an hour after your domain goes live). Once it's available, turn the toggle ON. This secures your site (giving you the padlock icon in the address bar) and is very important.

That's it\! You have successfully connected your Namecheap custom domain to your Blogger site. Congratulations\!