I could really use some answers, because I've worked so hard on this site. I have over 110 movie reviews and numerous special posts that I would be devastated if they got destroyed.
1.) When you buy a domain, does everything you have before get deleted?
2.) Are you still able to customize your blog the same way?
3.) Is there really a difference between having your own site and using Blogger as your host?
4.) Do I have to deal with ads?
5.) Because the blog will be public, do I have access to safety measures?
6.) If I don't like having a domain can I switch back to the Blogger host?
7.) Can I comment on other people's blogs under my name or will have to comment under anonymous?
8.) Will I lose the followers I already have?
If anyone can provide any answers, I would greatly appreciate it!
Thanks!
I have a domain... but to be honest I bought it SO long ago I don't remember what the process was like. What I do know is, I retained ALL of my content (I wouldn't have bought one otherwise) and yes, I could still comment on other's blogs without incident.
ReplyDeleteThe only way you have to deal with ads (far as I know) is if you use a service that places ads on your site (i.e., there are companies like Google Ads, etc. that will send you HTML codes if you sign up, and then you earn something from those ads depending on your traffic, etc.).
I didn't lose my Blogger followers until I switched to WP self-hosting, but I liked Blogger a lot. :) Still was able to design/customize, too.
All this to say I cannot comment on how a Google domain works since mine is through GoDaddy (I hear people either love or hate their service). You have to pay for the domain every year or two years (I think that's a customization too). For me, the only real difference in having a domain is how easy it is to find my site now, and for graphics, etc. I used to have a LOT of letters in my .blogspot URL (the .blogspot will go away and you'll become a .com, .blog, .org or whatever you chose - the price varies for this).
Pretty sure I read some helpful articles back when I switched, but cannot remember all of them. I know this is one: http://www.thewonderforest.com/2013/08/how-to-set-up-custom-domain-in-blogger.html. Anyway, best of luck if you switch!! Hope it's a smooth, simple process for you, Ivy.
Thank you so much! Because Blogger is funded by Google, you can actually buy your own domain in the settings area.
DeleteI have a wordpress site (wordpress.com and wordpress.org are different, one is similar to the blogger, the other you have a self-hosted site with your own domain name, mine is hosted on Siteground).
ReplyDeleteI bought a domain through Go-Daddy, but that was before I knew you could register one with wordpress and site, so i had to pay extra to move it. I'd research having your own side first and see if you are able to get a domain that way first.
I'd say you have more customization options or maybe I just invested more. With wordpress you can get plugins and such for spam and all that.
Also, I've redirected my blogger blog to my wordpress site, so anyone who clicks a link from my old site is redirected (I wanted to keep that url and not have it turn all spammy like I'd seen happen with some deleted blogs). All my blogger posts are on my wordpress site as well. There is a way to do that without having to delete or move any posts. I think I still have followers on my blogger site, but I don't know how many people read from there or anything. Not sure who was real in the first place anyway. I probably should sign out of Google to see what everything looks like on their end anyway.
Don't delete anything or add or buy anything until you've read up on it first, so you know what you want and don't pay extra (I wish I'd known more, I still don't understand everything). I think I found Helene in Between's information on self-hosted sites helpful. Treehouse (free via my library, check yours) has courses on building your own wordpress sites.
Blogger is part of Google so, when you comment through Blogger you still have your google profile. I used the same profile art for my blog, pinterest, Google, Goodreads, etc. to have a streamlined presence.
Thanks! The real reason I want to get my own domain is because my current URL is so long. My blog title is long enough as it is without having to add blogspot.com to the end.
Delete