Welcome to lesson #1 of my blog design series. Today, we will begin by designing a 3 column layout for your Blogger template.
Before I begin, I want to state that I am in no way a web designer and have had no formal training in web design. Everything I have learned has been from online tutorials and trial and error. I am sharing what little”knowledge” I have with you of what I have found that has worked for me. I will try to be as detailed as possible and offer as many screen snapshots and links to design sites as I can, but I do not guarantee that my tutorials will work for you. I do hope that they will at least point you in the right direction towards designing your blog.
Okay having said all of that, let’s get to designing!
First, you will need to open a Blogger account if you do not already have one. It is really easy to do and is free! Click here to open a new account.
If you already have a Blogger account, you will want to save a copy of your layout before you start editing the template. You can do so under Layout, Edit HTML, Backup/Restore Template. Always save your template before you begin fooling with it. Believe me, one tiny mistake will make you lose all of your blog data, so this is super important! You can also open up a new “template” blog or second blog to try out your design skills before messing with your current blog.
Next, check to make sure your template is set as “Minima“. To do this, look under Layout, Edit HTML, Edit Template. The second paragraph will have the Blogger style, name, and designer.
Make sure the name says “Minima“. If not, click Pick a New Template next to Edit HTML and choose “Minima“.
Now before you start changing colors, borders, and adding a ton of widgets, it is a good idea to decide whether you want a 2 column or 3 column design. It will save you a lot of hassle if you decide this now.
The “Minima” template is currently set up as a 2 column design. If a 2 column design is the look you want for your blog then you don’t need to do anything to your layout, and you can sit out today’s lesson!
If you prefer a 3 column design, like my blog, you will need to tweak your layout a bit. Make sure you are in the Edit HTML tab. This is the tab you should be on from the previous step.
To change a 2 column blog to a 3 column blog, follow this great tutorial that I found on Blogger Buster.
View tutorial, here.
How did you do? Don’t worry if you didn’t get it the first time. It took me some time before I got it perfect!
Next week we’ll work on changing the look of your blog, so start thinking about your blog’s colors and borders.
Also this weekend, I’ll be posting links to digital scrapbook sites to get you thinking about your blog header and background designs.
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**Lesson 1 has been edited as the screen shots are no longer available. Be sure to follow the link to the tutorial, here.**
My blog now has a three column layout thankyouverymuch *said in my best Elvis impersonation*
My blog now has a three column layout thankyouverymuch *said in my best Elvis impersonation*
many photo cannot see
i don know how to make 3coloumn><
many photo cannot see
i don know how to make 3coloumn><
Thank you for letting me know about the photos. I'll see if I can repost them. If not, you can visit the link to the Blogger Buster tutorial (found in the post), which I followed to set up my 3 column blog.
Thank you for letting me know about the photos. I'll see if I can repost them. If not, you can visit the link to the Blogger Buster tutorial (found in the post), which I followed to set up my 3 column blog.