‘lo,
In this article I will explain how you can:
1. Blog on a custom domain (eg. www.<yourname>.com) while not having to buy any hosting space on the web (Will cover both Blogger and WordPress)
2. Blog on a custom domain while also having custom hosting (Will cover only wordpress and explain how to migrate blogger blogs to custom/self-hosted wordpress)
I understand that many readers may question the need for this article when there are plenty or articles on the web. However I will try to make it very simple and easy to follow with judicious use of screenshots to make life simple.
Before proceeding, let’s note that one can always start of a free blog on popular blogging platforms like Google’s Blogger or WordPress. The URL of a blog on these free services will be like:
<example>.blogspot.com
<example>.wordpress.com
If you are new to blogging, I recommend that you first try out hosting via these free platforms and see if you are able to maintain a good posting frequency. Once seasoned, go ahead and buy web hosting etc and host the blog by yourself.
Blog on a custom domain (eg. www.<yourname>.com) while not having to buy any hosting space on the web (Will cover both Blogger and WordPress)
If you have a blog on Blogger or WordPress.com, you might be pleased to know that both these platforms allow you to buy a custom domain name and make that the URL address of your blog.
Blogger
1. To view the custom domain settings facility in your blogger account, just go to the settings -> publishing area as shown in the image above (expand image to read the instructions or just follow the on screen instructions in your account. It’s very easy!)
2. If you choose to buy a domain from Google, use this page as shown in the image above (read the price and the time period for which you are paying very carefully). As of now Google is using godaddy.com as partner for the domain name registrations and is also providing Google Apps on the domain. Which probably means you can have an email address like <yourname>@<yourdomain>.com .
3. However, if you have already bought a domain elsewhere, then click on the “Switch to advanced settings” link. You will be present with a page which looks like this:
4. Click on the link “setup instructions” and read it very carefully before you proceed with this step. You will have to create a CNAME (Canonical Name) record. This will make your domain point to Google’s servers such that when someone visits your domain, the request is forwarded to Google servers and they can fetch the appropriate blog (i.e. your blogspot blog) and display it to the visitor.
Blogger help provides specific instructions on setting up CNAME for certain domain providers. If you do not plan to buy your domain from Google and then I recommend buying it from one of the service providers listed on that page.
This step can be troublesome and you may feel free to contact me if you need any assistance. However note that I may be slow in responding and the real fun is in trying it out on your own 
5. Once everything is done, enter the word verification and save your settings. Give it some time and then your blog will start working on your custom domain URL. Your old blogspot address will automatically redirect to your new custom domain.
As always, if you face problems, you may redirect your questions to me and I will direct you in the right direction 
WordPress
If you have not already purchased a domain, then just like Blogger, wordpress also allows you to purchase a domain + redirect your wordpress.com blog to it for USD 15.00 (on this date).
You can also have your custom email by using Google apps on this newly purchased domain (learn more)
Buy a domain from wordpress and use it for your wordpress.com blog
1. Go to the “domains” section under “upgrades” on your wordpress.com dashboard (See the image).
2. On the page that appears, enter the domain you wish to use for your blog and click on “Add Domain to Blog” button (See the image below). A page will appear asking you to buy 15 credits to complete this transaction (unless you already have credits in your account). Note that you must have a Paypal account to purchase credits (currently 1 credit = USD 1.00).
3. Then you have to make sure (refer to the image below) that your newly purchased domain is recognized as your blog URL on the “domains” page and your wordpress.com blog redirects to your custom domain (also called domain mapping).
That’s it. You are ready.
You might want to learn more about managing domains purchased through wordpress.
Using your separately purchased domain for your wordpress.com blog
1. Visit this link and setup your domain to be used in wordpress domain mapping process. All you have to do is add the nameservers shown there to your domain. Remove any existing nameservers from your domain.
2. Once your domain is ready go to the “domains” section under upgrades, on your wordpress.com dashboard. Enter the domain name you wish to use as shown in the image above and click on the “Add Domain to Blog” button. If your nameservers are set correctly and have propagated, then WordPress will allow you to buy 10 credits to enable this domain mapping.
3. Now go to step 3 in the previous section (above) and you will be ready
If you ever have any problems regarding domain mapping, please do visit this link to seek help.
Alternate way to buy WordPress credits
Log into your wordpress.com account go to the gifts section under upgrades as shown in the image below:
While this page will allow you to gift the credits to other wordpress users, you may simply use it to purchase credits for your wordpress.com account.
I hope this article will make life simpler for everybody who is new to blogging platforms. Stay tuned for my next article where I will talk about having a blog on a custom domain with custom hosting.
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