TypePad Domain Mapping: A Tutorial

8/13/08 UPDATE: We have an updated tutorial to reflect changes both on TypePad's site and at Godaddy. See download link below.

Thanks to client Mark Siegel of Thailand Golf Blog, I've finally had to master the domain mapping challenge.  I did try this process about a year ago with no success so I dropped it and didn't really worry about it. 

From TypePad:

What is domain mapping?

Domain Mapping is the process of pointing a registered domain name to a TypePad site, weblog or photo album.

Domain mapping is more than domain forwarding, because your permalinks and URL contain the address of your domain (www.example.com), and not your TypePad sub-domain (example.typepad.com).

This takes your blog branding to the next level.  It goes beyond domain forwarding and enables you to rebrand your Typepad URL to your own unique domain.  For example, www.theblogsquadrecommends.com vs. http://nextlevelpartner.typepad.com/bsr  Not only does this apply to your main domain URL, but also extends to your permalinks.

Because I had been unsuccessful, I finally hired an expert, Shari Horne, to teach me the steps to make domain mapping happen.

The domain mapping process can take between 24-48 hours, though for the blogs I've already successfully mapped, took less than 12 hours.

So without further ado, if you would like to map your blog to a unique URL, here's a step by step tutorial on how to map your TypePad blog to a new domain. (2008 update)

If you don't already have a domain registered, you can do so at All in One Biz Tools (a godaddy reseller).  If you don't want to do the mapping yourself, we can do it for you.

Comments

[Michele Bailey-Lessirard]

Was glad to see this post. I use both a blog and website.
http://www.newmoonjournal.com
http://www.newmoonjournal.blogs.com

I successfully mapped the New Moon Blog a month ago. And it also created problems I didn't expect. ***sigh*** I found I could no longer set up a sub-directory on the website for PDF files.

When clicking in from the blog to the existing pdf's I got a 404 error message.

I could not access any of the content in the subdirectories on the servere and clients were getting 404 messages for everything else but the blog content. With all the mess I deleted the mapping, and went back to the old way I had it set up.

I am assuming that your pdfs are in a subdirectory on your server. Now I see you have set up a new pdf, I am wondering have you tried accessing any of your older pdf's? If you don't get error message can you give me feedback on what may have happened.

Thanks,
Michele

[Denise aka The Blog Squad]

Good question, Michele. I wasn't aware this could be a problem so I've gone back through some of my posts that have pdf documents in them. I had not problem opening the documents.

My understanding is that even when you map a domain, your TypePad URL is still active and accessible.

You may want to contact TypePad support and have them check into your problem.

Denise

[Michele Bailey-Lessirard]

Thanks, i'll go back and check it out. FYI I inadvertently clicked through to B2B and the design template for that blog is missing. The page came up all white with black type. It may need to be republished after the re-direct. I had to do that afterwards with all my other blogs as well.

[Denise aka The Blog Squad]

Hmm, I didn't get the problem you mention with B2B. And trust me, I test everything before I leave it alone. And, I have republished all my blogs after mapping the domains. You may need to reload the page. Came up fine for me. Thanks for keeping me posted.
Denise

[monicaboydnrs]

Nice to know about this. I will go through the tutorial and will post comments on it.
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Monica Boyd