Changing the look of your blog can make it more unique.
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Weblogs, more commonly called blogs, are a fast and inexpensive way to publish content online. Two of the more popular blogging platforms are the open-source Wordpress and Google-owned Blogger. Blog skins -- also called templates or themes, depending on the blogging platform -- allow blog maintainers to easily switch between layouts without having to disturb the existing blog content. Changing a blog skin differs slightly between blogging platforms, but generally involves creating or downloading a premade skin and then installing the skin onto your blog platform.
Wordpress
Step 1
Log into Wordpress. If you have a blog hosted by Wordpress.com, you can login from the main Wordpress.com site, select the blog you want to change the theme for on the upper tool bar under the "My Sites" pull-down menu and then click the "Appearance" item in the left-hand menu. If you have a self-hosted Wordpress installation, login via the URL given to you during the setup of your Wordpress blog and then click the "Appearance" item in the left-hand menu.
Step 2
Search for a new theme. Searching for themes to preview and install is available on all Wordpress.com blogs, as well as self-hosted Wordpress. Once you are logged in, navigate to "Appearance" and "Themes" in the left-hand menu. In the right-hand panel, click the "Install Themes" tab and then click "Search" for a new theme. This will bring up a page where you can search for new themes via different criteria like keyword, color and more. The search will bring back thumbnails of themes that fit your search criteria where you can choose to "Preview" or "Install" the theme or themes you are interested in. If you choose "Install," Wordpress will download and install the theme for you automatically, and you can choose to "Activate" the theme immediately after installation.
Step 3
Download a theme. If you have a premium Wordpress installation on Wordpress.com or a self-hosted Wordpress install, you can choose to download Wordpress themes from the Web and upload them to your own Wordpress installation. Online blogging magazines and resource sites often keep lists of popular free Wordpress themes and Web designers may offer free and premium themes for use. When you find a theme you like, download it and save it to your hard drive in .zip format. Most Wordpress-centric sites will offer themes in .zip format.
Step 4
Install your theme. Once you have saved your preferred theme, log into your Wordpress installation by following Steps 1 and 2. Navigate to "Appearance," "Themes" and choose the "Manage Themes" tab. Click the "Upload" link, which will allow you to transfer the theme to the blog server.
Step 5
Activate your theme. After installation has completed, you have the option of activating your theme via the "Active" link. You can choose to activate it later by logging in to Wordpress at a later time, going to "Appearance," "Themes" and clicking the "Activate" link on the theme preview.
Blogger
Step 1
Login to your Blogger account to access the Dashboard. From the Dashboard, select the "Design" option. If you have more than one blog on your Blogger account, select the "Design" option under the blog you want to modify.
Step 2
Access the Template Designer for Blogger by clicking "Template Designer" after you are redirected to the "Design" tab. Blogger's Template Designer will allow you to change the elements of your current Blogger template.
Step 3
Choose a template. Blogger allows users to change between a number of templates that have different layouts and features. A preview of the selected template is visible on the lower half of your browser screen. Each template has at least two color variations to choose from.
Step 4
Edit the template options. Once you have chosen a template, you can choose to further personalize your blog by clicking on options in the Template Designer. These include "Background," which changes the background image and template colors; "Layout," where you can move page elements; "Adjust Widths," to change the widths of sidebars and other page elements; and "Advanced," where you can change font and text color.
Step 5
Save your changes by clicking "Apply to Blog" in the upper right-hand corner of the Blogger window. Any changes you make will not be saved until this button is clicked.
Photo Credits
- Thinkstock Images/Comstock/Getty Images
