Weeks later, I've posted steps on How to Make your First Blog. There you learned how to make a blog and post your first article. 

From my previous article Starting your Blog, you were oriented that a good template is one of common denominators among blogs. That your template would tell your readers what exactly your blog is all about at their first glance. 

In this tutorial, you will be taught of several basic steps on how to change your template and where to find those free templates. Again, this tutorial is for those who are new in blogging and is not intended for SEO purposes.

There are two (2) ways on how you could change your template in blogger. 

  1. The Customize Method
  2. The Edit HTML method

In this tutorial, both of the methods will be discussed. Also, we will use a different blog (www.technowitz.blogspot.com) from the blog I demonstrated on How to Make your First Blog. 

And of course, we will still use the New Blogger Interface.



The CUSTOMIZE Method

Blogger offers BLOGGER TEMPLATE DESIGNER which comes in handy to newly born bloggers. The trick in this method is to visualize the end result of your template before you start designing and editing.

Step 1: On your Dashboard click your Blog Title (in my case, Technology Ahoy!) --> Technology Ahoy!



Step 2: From here, click--> Templates on the left side navigation tab and click --> CUSTOMIZE


You will be directed to the BLOGGER TEMPLATE DESIGNER.

Step 3: Edit Time... 

Now you first choose the template you like. BLOGGER TEMPLATE DESIGNER has seven template designers, Dynamic Views, Simple, Picture Window, Awesome Inc., Watermark, Ethereal, and Travel.

Then, you could just set the other parts as well like the background color, width, and layout.

Let me show you how some of the parts are named.



Now if you want to have changes with the font styles, sizes, colors of the headers, footers, title, gadgets, and etc., click the --> Advanced button. You could just play with the properties.



Step 4: Save your work by clicking --> Apply to Blog on the upper right corner.



The Edit HTML Method

In this method, all you have to do is hit Copy (Ctrl+C) and Paste (Ctrl+V).

Step 1: Find a template code in any free template sites you could find in Google. Free of course for we are just starting up. Copy the code.

       Examples:

                     - btemplates.com       - ufotemplates.com

                     - allblogtools.com       - bloggertemplatesblog.com


                     - blogskins.com          - bloggerstyle.com




Here are few of those free template sites you could choose from.

Step 2: Go to your dashboard --> then Templates --> then Edit HTML



Then click --> Proceed




Step 3: Afterwards, you will be directed to a text area where you will delete the existing template code and paste your newly copied code.



Step 3: After having the code pasted, hit --> TAB on your keyboard and then Click --> Save



And now you have your new template! Good job!

As you notice, it's more conventional to use the EDIT HTML Method. Factors are, it saves time, user friendly and harsh free.

Either ways, whether you chose the CUSTOMIZE or EDIT HTML method, all you have to bear in mind that the template itself should tell already a story. 

By the way, sorry for the late post, I've been busy for some reasons. Thanks for dropping by!


Check out my next tutorial on Blogger Toolbar and Post Settings.