Hello, welcome back!
INTRODUCTION:
Today I'd be showing you how to customise your blogger template to have a more professional look.
The basic default themes provided on the BLOGSPOT platform are actually not so " professional looking and beautiful" .
To be fair, they look like themes from the last 2 generations before us.
Lol.
Well, that's what you get when you are getting it for free! But actually that isn't a problem, as you can now download as many free themes on the internet as you like and customise your template to your taste.
What Is A Blog Theme/ Template?
In a very simple language - Theme is your Blog's "CLOTH". The look or appearance your blog wears whenever you open it. That is your theme.
To make the most out of blogging and give your users a beautiful and easy experience, it's advisable to use themes that are professional looking, Easy to Navigate, SEO friendly, Fast loading etc..
Where Can I Get A Blogger Theme?
As we know, blogger have some few free default themes newbies can use. But when you choose to change your theme, you simply head over to the internet and search for them.
Are Blogger Themes Free Or paid?
There are both free themes and paid themes that are really awesome.
Depending on your budget, you can go for any of the themes.
There are good and nice looking free themes to use. But usually, the paid themes are better.
Better looking , more professional, more customisation access and so on.
That being said, you can still get amazing FREE themes that may even be better than paid themes.
Only make sure the theme you'd be picking has all the qualities of a good theme listed above.
How To Download A Blogger Theme
Head over to the internet and search for Blogger Themes and you'd be presented with loads of options to pick from.
Open blogs offering the themes and check out the ones available. Make sure to read up on their properties (e.g. SEO FRIENDLY,EASY TO NAVIGATE etc) as this will help you to make the best selections.
There would be an option to check out the live or demo of the theme. It is highly recommended that you check it out , so that you get a preview of what and how the theme will appear on your blog.
When you are satisfied and choose a particular theme, you'd be presented with the option to either download a free Version or a paid one .
Both themes are almost the same, with the paid theme having a few more add ons , customisation and all. But aside from that, both are good. For the purpose of this tutorial,let's say you are on a budget and decide to go with the free version, simply click on download and 'viola" ,you have your theme sitting pretty on your phone or PC.
It is important that you know this: this theme will be downloaded as a ZIP file, so you cannot read it or use it in that form unless it is Unzipped or Decompressed.
Below is a step by step guide on how to Unzip and install your blogger theme to Blogger.
Step 1: Download A Zip File Reader
There are many ways to unzip a zip file. Either online or through an App. My recommendation is to use an app. It is easier and hassle free.
Head over to Google play store and download any zip File Reader (I use the ZIP EXTRACTOR and I highly recommend it).
Step 2: Decompress The Theme
Decompressing the File is the same as unzipping it. Click open Zip extractor, scroll over to download and open.
Look for the name of the theme you downloaded and hard press (highlight) , you'd see three dots on the upper right hand side on your screen, click on it.
Scroll down to the option that says DECOMPRESS,confirm to Decompress and that's all.
You will have your Theme unlocked and you can now view the properties.
The only file you will use among the properties is the one that ends with .Xlm. ( it can be named Anything but will surely end with Xml. That is the file you will be uploading to your blogger theme .)
Step 3: Upload your New Theme.
Head over to your Blogger Dashboard and click on Theme. This will open the Customisation page.
Click on edit Restore - upload. You will be given many options to upload from … scroll down to see the ZIP EXTRACTOR file. Open the file you have just Decompressed and select the file that has an XML at the end. ( That is your theme).
Click save and booooommmmm… say hello to your new theme! It is as simple as that.
Step 4: Go To Blogger Layout
Go to your blogger layout and customise the theme to your taste. Make sure to remove all the theme developers information stored on the different widgets and replace with your own details.
And there you have your professional looking Blog in a blink!
FAQ
Can I Change my theme using a mobile phone?
Answer: absolutely ! In fact this tutorial was done from a mobile angle
Free Theme Vs Paid Theme, Which is Better?
Answer: Both
The paid theme may have more features and Customisation access.. but Both are still very good.
Can Google monetize My Blog With A Free Theme?
Answer: YES . As long as your theme is good and easily navigational, Google can approve it.
Why Can't My Theme Upload? Error Message showing?
Answer: Themes are downloaded in their raw state and a zip file and can't be uploaded to blogger except if it is Unzipped .
Must My Theme Be An XML file?
Answer: yes! And absolute yes.
blogger is built using XML File, so it is not compatible with any other file type.
Summary:
Getting a good Blogger Theme is as easy as Abc. Infact ,it is one of the easiest things you can do on your blogger blog.
Reason is because there are one million and one free and paid themes made easy to choose from.
You don't need to have technical or JavaScript knowledge to perform this action. Simply follow the procedures above and you can download, unzip and install any theme of your choice on your Blogger blog.
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Don't forget to ask questions concerning things you don't understand and I will try my best to answer them all.
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