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Welcome to the weekly blogging tip and Saturday Sharefest comment game! This week I’m talking about the importance of getting your own domain name.
It’s quick, easy and free to start a blog with a service like Blogger. It’s also quick, easy and nearly free to purchase your own domain name. Here are four reasons why you should take this important step.
1.) Your own domain name gives you a more professional appearance online. It also adds a level of trust, making it appear that you are serious about your site and in it for “the long haul.”
2.) An easy-to-remember URL helps you to brand yourself (and/or your business) over all the social media sites you participate on.
3.) Better to get the domain name you want now, than have someone else take it first. If you build up your blog’s brand under a certain name, then find out someone else owns that domain, it might inhibit your growth in the future.
4.) Your domain can grow with you. If you decide to someday switch to a self-hosted blogging platform like WordPress, or to have a subdomain with a “spin-off” blog or web site, you can do this when you own your own domain and you will still keep your link juice and Google rank. You won’t need to start from scratch.
In your Blogger account, click on the Settings tab, then Publishing and you can purchase your domain name for $10/year. Blogger will automatically set up your blog to publish on your custom domain. If you don’t use Blogger, try GoDaddy, or check with your blogging platform to find out how to use a custom domain.
Now let’s play a game! Here are the rules for the SITS Saturday Sharefest:
* Leave a comment here with a link to one of your best blog posts (or just your main URL if you prefer).
* After you leave your comment, visit the link of the person who commented BEFORE you.
* Comment on their post and be sure to say “Happy SITS Saturday Sharefest” in your comment.
Now, go leave some comments! And please visit my blog, Mom Improvement.
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Great advice, I got mine!!! http://www.mariesamsanchezblog.com
And my latest blog:
It should be a crime to look this good: Priscilla + Drew: http://www.mariesamsanchezblog.com/?p=365
Great advice. I will do it right away! I just started blogging… whoooo hoooo.
So far, so much fun!
http://glamorousgirlgonegoofy.blogspot.com/
I’m still on blogspot… now you have me thinking… !
I have other websites, so I’m more than capable…we shall see! Gary do you want fame and fortune?
Here’s a cute post about how my husband & I met.. enjoy!
http://garythedog.blogspot.com/2010/02/its-love-story.html
Happy blogging!
I completely agree! Great tip!! I purchased my domain name two years ago and it was the best thing I’ve ever done. I’ve been slow to go public…I kept my blog private for a LONG time, but now I love the freedom and flexibility that comes with hosting my own blog. You won’t regret it if you pull the trigger and do it 🙂
After I bought my domain name FunnyPhotosContest.com, I realized that some people might leave off the “s” in photos. So I bought a second domain name without the “s” FunnyPhotoContest.com. They both reach the same home page so that I can be sure either spelling works.
http://www.FunnyPhotosContest.com. Submit CUTE or FUNNY photos and tell friends to vote. $2,000 in prizes. No entry fee.
I love blogging tips! I really have to get my own domain name. I am so on it now!
Ok, I’ve got my own domain name already, but still not sure how to connect that to my blogger account? And I’m not ready to change to wordpress, I just have my blog nicely set up the way I like and am accustomed to blogger. Any suggestions
.-= christi´s last post: Hooray for Mother Earth! It’s her day, celebrate your way! =-.
Ok, I’ve got my own domain name already, but still not sure how to connect that to my blogger account? And I’m not ready to change to wordpress, I just have my blog nicely set up the way I like and am accustomed to blogger. Any suggestions
Yesterday I took your advice and bought my blog’s domain name (or at least a shortened version of it.) Thanks for the kick in the pants!
I have been thinking about this for a while now – thanks for the extra “push!” =)
You just convinced me to go purchase http://www.mommylovesstilettos.com 🙂
I am so on it now. Thanks for the tip!
.-= Jasmine´s last post: A Man Shower BBQ/Baby Shower =-.
NOT TRUE, I lost my google rank as a result of buying my own domain. It was a big mistake for me 🙁
.-= Penelope´s last post: My Cool Mist Humidifier on The Doctors! =-.
Great Advice. I got my name on go-daddy.
http://www.zen-mama.com
I agree with this. And I can I just add… GET OFF BLOGGER!! xD
Why do I always forget to come here on Saturdays? I’m late, again!
We have a winner, and a fish! http://web.me.com/redshoearts/Redshoearts/Blog/Entries/2010/4/18_We_Have_a_Winner_and_a_Fish.html
Oh gee! I really have to get my own domain name. 🙁
Thank you so much for this info and great tips! I am new to blogging so I can use all the help I could get!
Thanks for the information on the domain name. Very helpful. 🙂
Happy SITS Saturday to all, belated though it may be!
http://girlybitz.blogspot.com/2010/01/sexy-is-fat.html
I think I needed this extra nudge. I’ve toyed with getting my name a couple of times, but am not entirely sure why I never did. As soon as I move, I think I will!
.-= Vindiciti´s last post: Sunday! =-.
I will need to get busy and get that domain name. Thanks for the advise. Happy SITS Saturday on Sunday!
Happy belated SITS Saturday! Excellent points and one to follow…
E 😉
.-= ElizOF´s last post: Influential Musings: Twelve Books That Have Shaped My Worldview =-.
Great read, domain names are a great way to improve a company’s visibility and to increase customer awareness to a brand.
I purchased my domain name from Go Daddy and am so happy that I did. Thank you so much for all your useful advice and hope you are all enjoying your weekend 🙂
http://mypixieblog.com/?p=181
http://baby-to-go.blogspot.com/
thanks for the advice!
More great advice. Going to play the game!
.-= More Than A Mom´s last post: Ava’s Second Language =-.
I left a comment yesterday regarding the topic of discussion but it never showed up 🙁 So, here I am on Sunday posting again but I don’t remember what I wrote yesterday, so today I will just say “HI” 🙂
Might be the last one to stop by today… I think it is Sunday now!!
Kathy over at Everyday Bliss
I just got a chance to stop in…Finally! Here’s to a wonderful weekend…completely sunny forecast!
Great topic…I started off by purchasing my domain name before anything else. (it helped me settle on a name too) Then set-up a Blogger site that links back to my main site. 🙂
Here’s my latest post: http://thechattymom.com/2010/04/16/friday-follow-41610-happy-post-tax-day/
Hi everyone. Hope you’re having a great weekend. I’ve been making ceviche and admiring vintage cushions!
.-= Hannah´s last post: Salmon ceviche with lime, chilli and coriander (cilantro) =-.
Hey there – just made it! Great topic today…one I talk about quite often; good advice ‘cuz it’s easy and cheap to do, plus having one name is easier to remember than one attached to a subdomain. My latest post:
http://bizmommy.com/self-esteem-the-magic-x-factor
.-= Tisha´s last post: Self-Esteem: The Magic X-Factor =-.
I can’t even remember how long I’ve owned my own domain. It must have been when I realized that people were actually doing google searches for me. LOL
.-= Diva (in Demand)´s last post: In The Morning =-.
Just joined SITS and am loving it so far. There are so many high quality blogs here…thank you for the awesome saturday sharenight chance!
http://gooddayregularpeople.blogspot.com/2010/04/hasten-children-hour-is-nigh.html
Here’s one of my recent posts:
http://crystaldavidsonengler.blogspot.com/2010/03/hair-bow-hell.html
Can’t believe I’m just getting on this site now!
I’m about to relaunch, rebrand, rename, re-everything. Bought my domain name last month and am waiting for my logo to be designed and my blog to be moved to wordpress. Exciting stuff happening!
Not my best post, but one I just wrote..
Great post – I just nabbed my domain two weeks ago and was so bummed out because the one I wanted is taken…:-[
Now I need to connect everything as I have a blog and another website for our home business. Yikes – so much to figure out and I’m doing it all on my own. Maybe I’ll write an e-how article and make some money off my self-education……
Thanks again – always look forward to the Saturday posts. There’s always SOMETHING that I need to learn.
Becky D
http://pbenjay.wordpress.com/2010/03/28/it-was-just-another-sunny-sunday-but/
It’s hard to believe that Saturday came and went already. It must be time to wind down so I can begin tomorrow with a fresh start and hope I get what were yesterday’s things done. Midnight plus 8 minutes – Happy Sunday to all
hey ladies! here’s a link to my most popular “awkward thursday” post: it’s about my boobs. or actually, boobs in general. come tell me about your boobs! you know you wanna.
http://www.depressionsandconfessions.com/2010/03/fun-bags.html
.-= alexis´s last post: i have redvines stuck in my teeth. =-.
Wonderful advice! I had no idea you could (and should) do that…but then again, I am a newbie to this…and as newbies go…I really don’t know much right now besides ‘publish.’ ;^)
.-= Cynthia´s last post: Days of Solitude =-.
Sheesh, I almost missed this day. It just got away from me, for sure! Hope everyone had a spectacular Saturday.
Here is one of my favorite posts.
http://jereandallyson.blogspot.com/2009/11/vampires-be-damned-or-who-needs-edward.html
Tomorrow isn’t Monday. I’m thankful for that.
Better late than never!
.-= andye´s last post: Harry Potter Prequel =-.
had my own domain for a year…hoping to actually do something with it other than having it just directed to my etsy shop..great article!
best post: http://greenwithenvystudios.blogspot.com/2010/04/being-happy-with-reality.html
Happy SITS Saturday Sharefest, I’m not too late am i?
.-= Stephanie @ Geezees´s last post: Favorite Canvas Wedding Art, Trends in fingerprints, Paint your BUM =-.
This is perfect timing!! I just bought my domain name this week. SO worth it.
.-= lucy´s last post: happy 101 =-.
I’ve been thinking about getting my own domain name for awhile now! Maybe this was the push I needed!!
Happy Saturday Sharefest SITStas!!
Happy Saturday!!
.-= Meg @ A Dash of Nutmeg´s last post: Salmon with a Lemon Dill Crab Topping =-.