0 Why you must Have Your Own Domain Name… and How to Get One

It’s a matter asked by new bloggers, “Should i buy my very own domain name? Or is it okay to use blogspot?” (or WordPress.com, or the other free blogging site).

Well, it's “okay” to use to use a free blogging web site, but… obtaining a website name is best, and obtaining one as early as you'll be able to is good.

What is a website domain name?

A domain name is something like yourblog.com or yourblog.net or yourblog.org. It belongs to you specifically.

Why is it better?

Having your own domain name:

• Increases your believability
• Looks additional skilled
• Helps with stigmatization by creating your web log additional recognizable and unforgettable
• Gives you additional management over web site, and so additional flexibility with regard to layout and created
• Is sometimes additional appealing to advertisers

Many people use blogspot blogs to spam, therefore some advertisers and a few readers might not trust a web log they see at blogspot.

To some readers, a website name simply appearance higher. It’s easier to browse and bear in mind “yourblogname.com” than to recollect the longer “yoursitename.blogspot.com”. as a result of that “blogspot”, or “wordpress” or no matter is therefore common then recognizable, your eye simply kind of… drifts there, rather than to the front a part of the address (or a minimum of, that’s what happens for me).

Something regarding yourblogname.com simply provides you additional authority. contemplate the “blogspot” the coaching wheels on your bike… you’ll seem like a newcomer victimization it.

Oh no! I have already got a blogspot/wordpress/etc… What ought to I do?

It’s best to induce a website name straight from the start. perhaps you didn’t recognize, perhaps you couldn’t for a few reason. If you're on a free blogging web site, don’t fret. you'll be able to turn, and should, as before long as possible…

But wait! Don’t go running to a registrar simply nonetheless.

Consider first:

• How long have you ever had your blog?
• What is your blog’s Page Rank?
• How many guests attend your blog?

It may be “dangerous” to change over. If you have got had your web log for a protracted time, then likelihood is you most likely have a better Page Rank and a bigger quantity of traffic. you will lose your Page Rank if you turn your web log to a brand new name. (This is why it’s higher to induce your own domain straight from the beginning).

If your web log is profiting and winning, you will need to require longer to rethink what you wish to try to to. can change over assist you become additional winning, or can it simply be a trouble that won’t build abundant of a difference? each web log is totally different, and whereas having a website name is best for many bloggers, perhaps you're the exception. and perhaps you’re not. Weigh the execs and cons yourself.

You can transition over, however bear in mind of what's going to happen and do your analysis.

Oh, and if you’re disturbed regarding all of your recent web log posts, there area unit ways that to import them to your new name.

How to build the Switch

1. select your name

The name that your web log is victimization at yourblogname.blogspot.com (which would be the “yourblogname” part) might already be fine, and will be usable as a website name. …but nonetheless, perhaps it’s not good. Here area unit some tips for selecting your name and fun name ideas. build a listing of decisions, as a result of the one you wish might already be taken.

Your name is very important and helps with stigmatization, therefore you must provide this an honest quantity of thought.

2. Get the name

Go to a website written account and get the domain.

Some domain registries: GoDaddy, BlueHost, Moniker, 1and1.com, Network Solutions, eNom, however there area unit several others out there yet. Take a glance around before selecting one. Do your analysis therefore you recognize the execs and cons of every company.

3. Get hosting

Your host is wherever your web site is hold on, and is totally different from your name, though corporations like GoDaddy supply each domain names and hosting. Hosting corporations offer house on a server for your web site. therefore you purchase your name, on the other hand you wish an area for your web site to be hosted.

4. Move your blog

Make sure that you just let your readers recognize previous time that you just are moving and what you may be moving to, so that they aren’t stunned. raise people who area unit linking to you to use the new address. certify that they're all victimization identical URL… there's a distinction between computer network and no computer network (ie: computer network.yourblogname.com or yourblogname.com)

5. created a direct from your recent address to your new address

So that if there area unit any backlinks to your recent address, once folks attend your recent address they're going to mechanically be redirected to your new address. i believe the foremost used may be a 301 direct.

6. wait and keep change at your new domain

You may lose your PR, however it ought to return in time… Google updates each few months therefore you will need to wait a couple of months. perceive that ultimately, it’s not your PR that matters, however the community that your web log creates. And your community you'll be able to undoubtedly bring with you on the transition, as long as you create positive that you’ve followed these steps.

Before creating the transition, you must place lots of thought into it. Weigh the execs and cons and perceive what risks you may be taking and what those risks mean for your web log specifically. each web log is totally different and there's nobody right answer or one right thanks to do things. For additional data, you'll be able to browse this link on Google Webmaster web log regarding a way to move your web site, and/or this entry specifically regarding transitioning from Blogger to WordPress.