What You Need To Know To Customize Your Blog

Image via Pinterest.

Over the last year or so I have changed the appearance of my blog several times. I really like the way it looks now, but there are still a few small changes that need to be done. I've made all the changes myself, and while I figured some of it out on my own, I would not have gotten far if it wasn't for the help of those much smarter than me. I have spent hours and hours searching the internet for tutorials, and I've compiled them all here to save YOU time when you decided to make changes to your own blog.

Changing your blog background:

My favorite sites for cute backgrounds are The Cutest Blog On The Block and Shabby Blogs.

Both sites give instruction on how to install the background, but for those of use using an HTML code background NOT from one of these sites, here is how you do it:
In Blogger, go to Design, then Layout. Click 'Add Gadget' and choose HTML/Java Script. Past the HTML code and click save. Voila!
For more advanced instructions check out this article from Simple Blogger Tips.

Adding/Changing Blog Header or Banner:
There are tons of cute pre made headers all over the internet that you can personalize using photo editing software or on sites such as Pixlr or Fotoflexer. The Cutest Blog On The Block and Shabby Blogs are among these sites. You can also use photo editing site/software to create your own. I have done it both ways. My current header is one I created on Fotoflexer.
Once you have your header go to Design, then Layout. Click "edit" on Header/Blog Title.
Where it says Image upload your banner. Under Placement choose 'Instead of Title and Description'. Click 'Save'.

Center Your Blog Header/Banner:
After you place your banner you may notice that it is off center. The Cutest Blog on the Block has a quick and simple solution to this HERE.

Center Post Title:
Blogger Hints and Tips wrote a very useful tutorial on how to center the title of your post in Blogger. The Original Blogger Tips and Tricks also shows how to center by editing the HTML.

Create a Custom Navigation/Menu Bar:
I recently got up the nerve to do this using a great tutorial from Living, Laughing, and Loving . Check it out HERE.

Truncate or Compress Your Posts:
The House of Smiths gives very easy to follow instructions to help you truncate your posts HERE.

Make a Custom Blog Button:
One of the best ways to spread the word about your blog or link party is to create a blog button. This is also good to have on hand if you purchase ad space from another site. I posted a tutorial for this a while back HERE.

Add a Facebook 'Like' Box:
Go to HERE to the Facebook developers page to create the code for your 'Like' box. They have step by step instructions to help you. Make sure the width of the box is the same or a smaller than the width of you sidebar or it will look funky. To find the width of your sidebar go to Design and Customize. Click 'Adjust Widths' to find the width. Create and copy your code.
Back in Blogger go to Design, then Layout. Click 'Add Gadget' and choose HTML/Java Script. Past the HTML code and click save.

Now that you don't have to spend hours scouring the internet for tutorials you can spend more time revamping your blog or obsessing over Pinterest. It's gonna be Pinterest, right? Right??? Yeah.

If you have any questions feel free to leave a comment and I'll do my best to help. And if you liked this post please follow me on Google Friend Connect to get more.

Happy Blogging!



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C.R.A.F.T. 
I Heart Naptime 
itsoverflowing.com
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