If you are using Blogspot (Blogger) for your blog, you may have wondered how to make it look more professional. By default, Blogspot gives you a free blog address like yourblog.blogspot.com. While this is good for beginners, it doesn’t look very professional or branded.
The good news is that you can convert your Blogspot site to a custom site by using your own domain name (like www.yourblog.com) and customizing the design. In this guide, I will explain step by step how to move from a basic Blogspot blog to a full custom website without losing your content or traffic.
If you are still learning about blogging basics, you can first check out my post on Top 10 Digital Side Hustles You Can Start with Zero Budget in 2025 to get motivation.
Why Convert Blogspot to a Custom Site?
Before we dive into the steps, let’s understand why you should consider upgrading your Blogspot blog:
1. Professional Branding
A custom domain like www.mybrand.com looks more professional than mybrand.blogspot.com. Readers and clients take you more seriously.
2. Better SEO (Search Engine Optimization)
Search engines like Google often prefer custom domains. Having your own domain name can improve your chances of ranking higher.
3. Easy to Remember
Custom domains are shorter and easier for people to remember, which means more direct traffic.
4. Monetization Opportunities
Many ad networks and affiliate programs prefer websites with custom domains. If you want to make money from your blog, a custom site is a must.
5. More Control Over Design
With a custom site, you can install premium templates, add advanced widgets, and create a brand identity that matches your goals.
Step 1: Buy a Custom Domain Name
The first step is to get your own domain name.
What is a Domain Name?
A domain name is the address people type to visit your site (example: www.digitalprofitpixel.com).
Tips for Choosing the Right Domain:
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Keep it short and simple.
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Avoid numbers and hyphens.
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Use keywords if possible (e.g., if your blog is about crypto, include “crypto” in the name).
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Choose a trusted extension like .com, .net, or .org.
Check out my guide on Domain Flipping Essentials if you want to learn more about choosing profitable domains.
Where to Buy Domains:
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Namecheap
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GoDaddy
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Google Domains
Most of them cost between $10 – $15 per year.
Step 2: Connect Your Domain to Blogspot
Once you have a domain, the next step is to connect it with your Blogspot blog.
Steps to Connect:
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Log in to your Blogger Dashboard.
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Go to Settings.
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Under the Publishing section, click Custom domain.
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Type your domain name (example: www.yoursite.com).
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Blogger will give you two CNAME records that you need to add to your domain’s DNS settings.
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Log in to your domain provider (Namecheap, GoDaddy, etc.).
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Find the DNS Settings or Advanced DNS option.
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Add the CNAME records given by Blogger.
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Save the settings.
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Go back to Blogger, check the box Redirect domain, and save.
It may take a few hours for the domain to connect fully (this is called DNS propagation).
I explained this in detail in my post on How to Do Domain Pricing on Afternic.
Step 3: Use HTTPS (Secure Connection)
Google now requires all sites to use HTTPS for security. Thankfully, Blogger provides a free SSL certificate.
To Enable HTTPS:
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Go to Settings in Blogger.
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Scroll down to HTTPS.
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Select Yes for both HTTPS availability and HTTPS redirect.
This ensures your site will show as secure (with a padlock icon) in browsers.
Step 4: Choose a Custom Template for Your Blogspot Site
Blogspot offers free templates, but they look basic. If you want your site to look like a professional custom site, you should install a premium Blogger template.
Benefits of Custom Templates:
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Modern design with responsive layout.
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SEO-optimized for better ranking.
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Faster loading speed.
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Built-in features like sliders, email opt-ins, and ad spaces.
Where to Get Templates:
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SoraTemplates
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Gooyaabi Templates
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ThemeForest (Paid templates)
You can also read my guide on Effective Ad Promotions to learn how design affects ad revenue.
Step 5: Customize Your Blog Design
Now that you have a custom domain and template, let’s make your site unique.
Things to Customize:
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Logo & Favicon: Create a simple logo on Canva and upload it.
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Menu Bar: Add pages like About, Contact, and Privacy Policy.
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Sidebar Widgets: Add search bar, popular posts, and newsletter sign-up.
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Footer Section: Add copyright text and quick navigation links.
If you are not sure which pages to include, check my post on SEO-Friendly Blog Titles for Domain Flipping for ideas.
Step 6: Set Up Google Analytics and Search Console
To track your blog’s growth, connect it to Google Analytics and Google Search Console.
Benefits:
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See how many visitors you get daily.
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Track which posts are most popular.
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Monitor your keywords and search rankings.
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Fix indexing issues.
I already shared tips on boosting indexing in my guide CPA Marketing vs Affiliate Marketing.
Step 7: Redirect Old Blogspot Links
If people visit your old Blogspot address (yourblog.blogspot.com), they should automatically go to your new custom site.
Blogger automatically does this for you if you enable the Redirect domain option. Always test by visiting your old link to confirm it works.
Step 8: Monetize Your Custom Blog
Once your site looks professional, you can start making money from it.
Monetization Options:
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Google AdSense – Display ads and earn money.
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Affiliate Marketing – Promote products and earn commission.
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Sponsored Posts – Get paid to publish content.
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Sell Digital Products – eBooks, courses, templates.
If you are interested in affiliate marketing, read my post on Top Affiliate Products to Promote in 2025.
Step 9: Maintain and Grow Your Custom Blog
Now that your Blogspot is converted into a custom site, you must keep it active.
Tips to Grow Your Blog:
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Publish quality articles regularly.
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Share your posts on social media.
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Optimize each article with keywords.
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Build internal links between your posts.
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Reply to comments to build community.
To learn more, check out my article on Daily Tips to Boost Your Telegram Channel. The same engagement strategy applies to blogs.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Converting Blogspot to a Custom Site
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Not Enabling HTTPS – This makes your site look unsafe.
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Forgetting DNS Settings – If DNS records are not added correctly, your domain won’t connect.
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Not Testing Redirects – Old Blogspot links should go to your new site.
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Choosing a Poor Template – A slow, outdated template can harm SEO.
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Skipping Analytics Setup – Without data, you can’t grow properly.
Conclusion
Converting a Blogspot site to a custom site is not as difficult as many think. All you need is a domain name, DNS setup, and a professional template. With these steps, your free Blogspot blog can look like a premium website.
A custom domain makes you look professional, boosts SEO, and opens the door to monetization opportunities.
If you found this guide useful, I recommend also reading my step-by-step tutorial on How to Buy Domain for Flipping because it will help you understand the value of domains in the online world.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. Do I need hosting for Blogspot custom domain?
No, Blogspot gives you free hosting. You only need to buy a domain name.
2. Will I lose my traffic if I switch to a custom domain?
No, Blogger automatically redirects traffic from your old address to your new domain.
3. Can I move from Blogspot to WordPress later?
Yes, you can export your Blogspot content and import it into WordPress in the future if you need more flexibility.
4. How much does it cost to convert Blogspot to a custom site?
Usually less than $15 per year (the cost of a domain). Templates can be free or paid.
5. Do I need technical knowledge?
No, Blogger makes it beginner-friendly. Just follow the steps above.
Now your Blogspot site is ready to look like a professional custom website.
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