I want my own domain

[LaydeeD]

How do I go about it if I'm already on blogspot? If I leave blogspot for my own domain will I lose all the posts and extras I've done so far? Also which is the best template or service to use? I have so many questions and want to do it right so if you can help it would be greatly appreciated.

[PaulR]

Do you want to keep on using blogspot on your own domain? There should be an option for that in your blogspot admin. But if you want to go from blogspot to wordpress using your own domain thats alittle more work, before blogger beta it was quite easy to go from blogspot to your own domain. Now i think(I could be wrong) you have to go from blogspot, import it to a wordpress.com blog then import it to your domain.

[LaydeeD]

I just got my domain name and yes I still use blogspot. I'm just wondering if it was a good idea. You know - better than starting over and getting my own site. What do you think?

Oh, and should I notify bloggeries of the change or does it make a difference?

[Bloggeries]

Don't be nervous! Also if you are sure this is what you want to do; the sooner the better.
Nervous about leaving blogger...

Check out that thread as it has links to many good resources. Another member here has gone through the same transitions so you may want to talk to her about it.

I hope this helps and congrats on making the move! If you want to make a splash in the celebrity gossip and trade blogroll links with other great sites it is highly recommended. It speaks volumes on your commitment and intent. Also regarding sponsorship $$$... People are more inclined to do paid advertising on proper domains than blogspot. (From what I've heard and it makes sense).

Rob

[LaydeeD]

Just so we're clear, is it better for me to leave blogspot all together or have my domain name and still work with blogspot?

[Zhuli]

Hi LaydeeD !

Thank you so much for starting this thread, I was about to start one on the same subject myself...

Can I add a couple more question for the experts here ?

I'm in the same situation, currently on Blogger with a PG3, I've been blogging for almost a year now.

I haven't bought a domain name yet but there're a few names I'm interested in. I don't plan to turn my blog into a major money-making blog, it's just a personal blog. However, I'd love to reach a wider audience (who doesn't ? ) and for this reason I'd like to look a bit more "professional" - hence why I'm considering the move.

So, I'm gonna read the link Bloggeries gave us and will come back with questions...

[Zhuli]

Alright, I read ! Yeah, I'm quick...

So, from what I understand, there're two options :

- Getting my own domain name but still being hosted on Blogspot. So I'll basically get rid of the "blogspot.com" part of my URL but will stick to the same platform. Main advantage : links, technorati etc. stays the same.

- Making the big decision to get a domain name and get hosted somewhere... and to use Wordpress. I'm totally lost with that. So here are the questions :

1) If I ditch Blogspot totally, would I lose my PG, links and all ?

2) How hard is it to manage a blog hosted on your own domain ? Could anyone show my screenshot of what the interface is like ? (I know it sounds silly but I'm not that good with blogs !)

3) What is your budget for a domain name + a year of hosting (+ whatever I'm forgetting ?)

Thanks to the experts !

[LaydeeD]

Hello Zhuli,
I'm glad I'm not alone in this. Actually there are alot of people with blogspot that want out. It's the plunge that's scary.

[LaydeeD]

So Zhuli - where in Canada are you from?

[jshaffstall]

Originally Posted by Zhuli

- Getting my own domain name but still being hosted on Blogspot. So I'll basically get rid of the "blogspot.com" part of my URL but will stick to the same platform. Main advantage : links, technorati etc. stays the same.

Partially. The old links will still work, but they won't contribute to the page rank of the new domain.

Originally Posted by Zhuli

- Making the big decision to get a domain name and get hosted somewhere... and to use Wordpress. I'm totally lost with that. So here are the questions :

1) If I ditch Blogspot totally, would I lose my PG, links and all ?

You can leave the Blogspot blog up, and leave an "I've moved" post to get visitors to the new domain. But yes, the page rank and links from the Blogspot blog don't carry over to the new domain.

Originally Posted by Zhuli

2) How hard is it to manage a blog hosted on your own domain ? Could anyone show my screenshot of what the interface is like ? (I know it sounds silly but I'm not that good with blogs !)

It's very easy with the latest versions of Wordpress. A single screenshot won't cover all the areas of the Wordpress dashboard. The best way to get a feel for it is to go to Wordpress.com and signup for a free blog there and play with it.

Originally Posted by Zhuli

3) What is your budget for a domain name + a year of hosting (+ whatever I'm forgetting ?)

I pay $5 a month for hosting, and $8.88 a year for the domain name. If you want a custom logo, I paid $100 for mine.

The main advantage of paid hosting with Wordpress versus Blogger with a domain name is that your blog is under your control. For example, Blogger has been known to lock blocks that look like spam, regardless of whether they really are or not.

Jay