I love Blogger. It's price efficient (free), easy to use, easy to mess with,
and it just feels like a comfy old pair of jeans.
However, there's only one problem with it.
You don't own it.
It could go away tomorrow. Then what?
Are you backing up your blog regularly should this happen? How to back up your blogger blog is HERE.
I myself have purchased my own domain, but just haven't switched it over yet because:
I'm scared to do it myself for fear of blowing up my blog.
I need a major makeover anyway.
I have to save the funds to hire out for that amazing major makeover.
I need time to design what I want for this amazing major makeover.
Blah Blah Blah
Lots of amazing major reasons/excuses.
But the #1 reason I waited so long to purchase my own domain was because
I didn't know HOW
Really. You'd think for the amount of nerdy things I do on all things blog, I'd have this one nailed. But every time I went for a purchase, I ended up with more questions than answers.
And then a website developer friend recommended Site 5... and that's the day the heavens opened up and showered domain kindness on me.
There's one main reason I purchased through Site 5. This is sheer brilliance...
Chat window help!
I'm totally serious. A chat window helped me out. It was like my own personal guru at my beck and call.
That poor soul worked for his keep the day I landed there. I asked all the dumb questions as he guided me through every single little selection click I made. There are lots of confusing options out there and this way I didn't have to email 101 people for advice yet again.
And then there's web hosting.
With Site 5, you purchase your domain as well as your web hosting which works out to a really great deal if done together. And this way you won't delay in just purchasing a domain and sitting on it for too long like me. After all, you're paying for it now...
Yes, this costs money but it isn't that much. The longer you purchase it for, the cheaper it gets. And your domain name is free for a limited amount of time with that deal!
Affiliate link option!
And because I was so stinkin' pleased with the ease of how to do it all this way, I fired up this affiliate link on my blog sidebar. Because if someone clicks on your link and orders through it, you get a small credit thrown back on your account. Cool... (and thank-you if you click!!)
BUT that is SO NOT the reason for this post. You need to get set up right and this was the most painless way I felt there was.
And just so you know, you can have your own domain and run it through your Blogger template. If I knew how, I'd do that too. It's just that I'm not willing to risk a blog this size to do it on my own and my hired help is currently booked.
Blogger vs Wordpress?
There's also THIS issue. I'll be eventually moving over to Wordpress because
#1. I want to own everything I use,
#2. it just has more organizing options and
#3. really awesome SEO benefits.
But the thought scares me deeply. DEEPLY. I love Blogger. So I hesitate.
When is it time to make the move?
I justify making this move if you're deadly serious about your blog becoming your life's work. Or you're already earning money from your blog. If you rely on your blog for income, it's rather comforting to know you own it, don't you think?
Anyway, start with your domain and cross your fingers it's still available for you. Because once someone else snatches it up, it's gone unless you attempt to purchase it from them or it becomes available some lucky year.
And please .. try and name your blog the same name as your domain name. Do this if you're starting up a brand new blog on Blogger too. It makes searching for you SO. MUCH. EASIER.
And trust me, you don't want me more confused than I already am... :)
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