How to Get a Free Domain for Your Blogger Blog: A Comprehensive Guide

Creating a blog on Blogger is an excellent way to share your ideas, knowledge, and creativity with the world. However, if you want your blog to appear more professional, a custom domain name (like yourblog.com) is a great step up from the free subdomain yourblog.blogspot.com. Many bloggers opt for a free domain as it helps enhance their brand identity and credibility, especially when they’re just starting.

In this article, we’ll guide you through the process of acquiring a free domain for your Blogger blog. We’ll also explore options for how you can make the most of your free domain, and whether it’s worth upgrading to a paid domain later on.

1. What is a Domain Name?

Before we dive into how to get a free domain for your Blogger blog, it’s important to understand what a domain name is. Simply put, a domain name is your blog’s address on the internet. It’s what people type into their browsers to find your site, like example.com. A custom domain makes your blog look more professional and easier to find.

While Blogger offers a free subdomain (such as yourblog.blogspot.com), a custom domain (such as yourblog.com) is more memorable and gives your site a more professional look.

2. Can You Get a Free Domain for Blogger?

While Blogger does not directly offer free custom domains, there are several ways you can obtain a free domain name. Here are the primary methods for getting a free domain for your Blogger blog:

a. Free Subdomains from Third-Party Providers

Some third-party providers offer free subdomains that can be linked to your Blogger blog. While these are technically still subdomains and not full-fledged custom domains, they can give your blog a cleaner look and can be a good starting point.

Popular Free Subdomain Providers:

1. Freenom: Freenom offers free domains with extensions like .tk, .ml, .ga, .cf, and .gq. These are free to use for an extended period, often up to 12 months, and are a good option if you’re just starting out. These free domains can be linked directly to your Blogger account, allowing you to access your site with a more personalized domain name.
2. InfinityFree: InfinityFree offers free subdomains, including .epizy.com and .rf.gd. Though these are still subdomains, InfinityFree also provides free hosting services, making it a good choice if you want to experiment with a blog without paying for a full domain.
3. AwardSpace: AwardSpace offers free domains with the .dx.am extension, along with free web hosting. Again, while these are subdomains and not full custom domains, they can be linked to Blogger for a more unique and customized web address.

b. Using a Free Domain with a Subdomain Extension

Another method is using services that offer “free domains” but with specific extensions that are not necessarily the most popular ones like .com or .org. These might be suitable for a personal project, experimental blog, or something informal.

For example, websites such as Dot.tk allow you to create a free .tk domain. However, free domain extensions come with some drawbacks, including limited credibility in some cases, potential for spam or misuse, and limited flexibility for future use.

c. Get Free Domain with Hosting

Some hosting providers offer free domains when you sign up for their hosting services. While this usually involves some cost for hosting, you do get a domain for free as part of the package. Here are a few hosting companies that include a free domain with their plans:

1. Wix: Wix offers a free domain for one year when you purchase one of their premium plans. This is more of a hybrid option, as it does involve paying for hosting, but it’s a way to get a free domain if you’re willing to invest in hosting.
2. Hostinger: Hostinger offers a free domain for one year when you purchase one of their hosting packages. Once you’ve used up the free year, you’ll need to pay for the renewal of the domain, but it’s a good way to start with a free domain name.
3. Bluehost: Bluehost is another hosting provider that offers a free domain for the first year when you sign up for their hosting services. They also include a variety of tools to help you manage your site, making it a popular choice for new bloggers.

3. How to Set Up a Free Domain for Blogger

Once you have obtained a free domain, the next step is to connect it to your Blogger account. This is a relatively simple process, and it can be done by following these steps:

Step 1: Get Your Free Domain

First, sign up with one of the providers mentioned above to obtain your free domain. This will typically involve choosing the domain name and selecting your preferred extension.

Step 2: Access Blogger’s Settings

Log into your Blogger account and navigate to your blog’s settings page. You can find this by going to Settings > Basic in the left sidebar.

Step 3: Set Up Your Custom Domain

In the Publishing section, you’ll see the option to use a custom domain. Click on the + Set up a third-party URL for your blog link.

Here, enter your custom domain (e.g., yourblog.tk), and click Save.

Step 4: Update DNS Settings

After saving, Blogger will display a set of DNS records that you need to configure in your domain registrar’s control panel. These DNS records include CNAME entries that direct your domain to the Blogger servers.

Login to the website where you registered your free domain (e.g., Freenom, InfinityFree) and navigate to the DNS settings. Add the CNAME records provided by Blogger to connect your domain to your Blogger blog.

Step 5: Wait for Propagation

It might take a few hours (up to 48 hours) for the DNS settings to propagate across the internet. During this time, your domain might not be accessible immediately, but once the changes are fully applied, your custom domain will point to your Blogger blog.

Step 6: Test Your Domain

Once DNS changes have propagated, open your browser and type in your new custom domain. You should be redirected to your Blogger blog. If everything is set up correctly, your blog will now be live on your free custom domain.

4. Considerations for Using a Free Domain

While getting a free domain for your Blogger blog is a great way to start without spending money, there are several factors to keep in mind:

• Limited control: Free domains often come with limitations, such as the inability to transfer the domain to another provider or control over renewals. They can also be harder to monetize or use for branding in the long run.
• Credibility: Free domains often come with less credibility than traditional domain extensions like .com or .org. They may look less professional to visitors and potential advertisers.
• Renewal Fees: Some free domains have limited periods of availability (e.g., 12 months), after which you may need to renew or pay for the domain.

5. Should You Upgrade to a Paid Domain?

While free domains are a great way to get started, eventually you may want to consider upgrading to a paid domain. Paid domains (with extensions like .com, .net, or .org) provide more control, reliability, and trustworthiness. They are also more likely to be indexed by search engines, which can help your blog’s SEO.

Many bloggers start with a free domain but later switch to a paid one to enhance their professional image and grow their audience.

Conclusion

Getting a free domain for your Blogger blog is an achievable goal, especially with the help of third-party providers like Freenom and InfinityFree. While free domains can be a good option for beginners and personal projects, consider upgrading to a paid domain as your blog grows. Paid domains offer more credibility, control, and flexibility, which are essential if you plan to take your blog to the next level. Whether you choose a free or paid domain, setting up a custom domain for your Blogger blog is a fantastic way to enhance your online presence.