Custom URL + Google Apps + Posterous = Easy Custom Blog

Step 1: Get yourself a domain

Preferably a registrar that gives you control of the DNS (e.g Buydomains.com, GoDaddy.com, etc...)

Step 2: Edit the DNS settings of your new domain

You may have to delete all the previous entires which is what I did. At this point you can do everything listed in the illustration with the exception of the area highlighted in blue (Google Apps Identifier) since we haven't gotten their yet. Save your changes!

Step 3: Signup for Google Apps

The standard account allows you to create up to 50 email addresses. So you can get you@yoursite.com. Which is way cool!

Go here: http://bit.ly/6Z3d2h to sign up for a Standard (FREE) account

Setup your custom URL for:

1. Google Docs
2. Google Calendar
3. Google Sites
4. Google Email
5. Save your changes!

Just make sure the names you choose match the CNAME entries which you made in step 2!

Step 4: Update the DNS settings

Now go back and add a CNAME entry to your DNS settings using your new Google App Identifier. Remember it is the blue highlighted area back on step 2. Save your changes!

Step 5: Signup for a Posterous account

Go here: http://bit.ly/8NMxrV to signup

Setup Posterous to use your custom URL

1. Click on Manage
2. Click on the Settings tab
3. In the top section you will see (Custom domain name)
4. Save your changes

Optional Items

Google Analytics

It's an easy way to analyze the traffic that visits your site.

Go here: http://bit.ly/8SHZuc to singup

FeedBurner

In case you're in the mood for syndication. Here is some info: http://bit.ly/6np9yl

Go here: http://bit.ly/5TgOvr to signup

To configure these optional items they are located on the bottom of the settings page which we visited back on step 5.

Posting to your site

If you can send an email you can make a post on your site. Here are the addresses you can use.

1. post@yourAccount.posterous.com (If you have autopost enabled this will update all the linked social sites)
2. posterous@yourAccount.posterous.com (Will only post to your site and will not autopost)
3. private@yourAccount.posterous.com (Will only post to your site and will only be visible to you)

Posting Tips

Gallery vs No Gallery 

See the difference here: http://bit.ly/6dbTsP

If you add multiple images to your email it will collectively be placed into a very cool (thumb driven) gallery, but if you don't want that simply add ((nogallery)) to your subject line.  Yes that is a double parentheses. 

Tags

Tags are commonly used pretty much everywhere nowadays so to tag your posts simply add ((tags: food, family, bbq)) to your subject line.  Again that is a double parentheses. 

Happy posting!

Posted via email from wetmatter nonsense