Discussions
Do You Change Your Blog Layout/Template ?
Posted by MeghnaK • 10/01/07 • Subscribe to this Discussion [RSS] • Report This Topic
Topics: template
How often do you change your blog template?
I was thinking of changing my blog template because I have been told by many to change my 3-column template.
This is the third time I'm doing so. Is it advisable?
User Comments
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Can any body give opinion on whether changing templates frequently does give any bad impact? I'm worried because in 2 months, I've changed the things 2 times.
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I don't really have any input on how often is too often to change. The How question depends on where your blog is hosted and what software you use to produce it. If you can clarify that someone will be able to tell you. -
maybe it's a bit like people moving the furniture around, i know a few of these types and it's sort of funny. I guess so long as it's always user friendly it's nice to spring clean, AND so long as it doesn't become an obsession that occupies large areas of your neuronet -
Sorry, I'm using blogger.
meghnaspages.blogspot.com/ -
hey great effort I just had a look at your blog, you're very young..I'd like to see my kidz setting up blogs but my boy wants to ride motor bikes..upside down and my girl is into fashion.
Just don't let it take over your life, there's lots of other wonderful things to do away from the monitor-
Thank you. I'm not always on my computer and like outdoor games more.
But my question...
Is it that people get used to seeing one blog in a particular manner and changing it often affect the viewers?
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Meghan,
changing your template in Blogger is Very easy, though there are only a few templates available. Go to your Dashboard, click on Settings then on Template then on Pick New Template. you can preview how it will look before you commit to the change -
I have changed the layout/template of mine twice now. And for now, I guess I am satisfied with what I have.
But coming to your question, does changing affect your readership? Well, that depends. If your new template/layout is close enough to the old one or if it is an improvement then your readers won't mind. But if a change that you like doesn't strike a chord with your readers, then they might leave. Here, it's up to you to decide if you want to satisfy your readers or you want to express yourself!-
Thank you. I thought changing layouts frequently is not a good habit! I'm planning to change 3-column template to a 2-column one for more post width.
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Or you could try to widen the existing 3 column template itself so that the increase in post width that you are looking for is taken care of. (I am saying this because I am partial to 3 column templates!)
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Thanks, vishnu. But with many widgets, I'm finding it difficult (or unable to do it).
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I just took a look at your blog and I think it should be possible to just widen your current template. I am not very proficient with template tweaking but if you can get someone to take a look at your template code, they might be able to fix it. Of course, going for an all new template like you had initially planned for is a whole lot easier!
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meghnak, you should hear what yaro starak had to say about blog redesign, this should give you answer to your doubts.
www.etienneteo.com/2007/08/change-in-blog-design-and-change-in.html-
Thank you for the link, which is very useful for taking a decision.
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I change my header picture every month to reflect the season/month etc.
I always use my own photograph too.
I am with blogger.
It took me a while to work out the size etc but I am getting there.-
You make changes in every month?? Interesting. I think now I can ahead with the changes I thought of.
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bloggers lack designers cause they don't sell like wordpress themes, so its time you code your own..
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I recently changed my blog layout because I couldn't bear the last template I used (Blogger). The usual trend is for new bloggers to make changes and move stuff around pretty often especially during the first few months.
Eventually, you'd settle for a look and stick with it making minor changes every season or so.
I would advise though to make significant changes once each year only to freshen up your blog for your guests. By significant, I don't mean drastic or a total revamp.
Another reason to change layouts is when you don't feel inspired anymore. Sometimes a change of template can re-ignite your passion for blogging, so if that's your need go right ahead.-
Thank you, elmerato. That explains a lot in detail. As my blog is only two months old, I think now I can go for a change till the things are stabilized.
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There is a phrase, well a buzz word, among web designers since last year called "realignment". You should choose a design that you like, or design it yourself if you have the skills and then every 6 months to a year give it a slight facelift maybe from knowledge you have learned or as trends change. Rather than redesign, you realign your weblog.-
Thank you. I won't be able to design it myself. But I can change it now, then realign in about 6 months. Usually no major changes are done by people except realigning?
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yaa i do change, when i get bored from the old one or have something new in my mind.. -
Well changing the look of your blog should happen at least once every four years (but since blogging does not really exist for that long). Then you can alter the little things on your blog every so often to improve the enjoyablity of the blog.
Main thing actually is you just have to find the blog look you like and then you won't change it since you like it.-
He...he I agree!
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Hi Meghnak,
funny, but I want to change my blog from 2 column to 3 column. I like the 3 column look better.
I know how to change the size of my columns and the outer wrapper. That gives me a bit more room for the posts. You can also make the text smaller, which gives you more room per post.
Gotta run
Leave me a message on my site.... rightorrong.blogspot.com
Thanks
Good luck-
Interesting but funny. Can we exchange our layouts mutually?
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Yea, if only that was possible...hehehe
How did you change yours from 2-3 columns. I have to find out how. I understand there are free sites to download templetes with 3 columns but I haven't had time yet to look for them.
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I've never change the layout/template of my healthy lifestyle blogzine. Perhaps in future -
I've been going through the same thing. In the past two months, I've changed it 3 times. I'm fearful that that is screaming that I can't make my mind up, and I obviously can't. :0)
I actually just changed it yesterday and yep, I'm still not happy with it. So, it just may look different tommorrow. My hosting is godaddy.com and they give you quite a few of them to choose from.
Bottom line, Don't Worry, Be Happy!
Have a Great One, Everyone!-
Thanks. Good to know that there are others like me too
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I change my templates when I am no longer satisfied with how they function with the posts I add to them. I'll look at them and say to myself "that just doesn't flow very well" or "that just doesn't go together."
For the moment I'm using Blogger templates. I'm still learning about the code that creates them.
Ask yourself if your layout/template fits the personality of your blog. And then balance that with the reader comments about navigating and reading your blog. -
I change my color scheme and masthead every month if that counts ... For this month, I'll have two schemes ... as I have a special scheme for this week to celebrate the upcoming Oklahoma-Texas game on Saturday. Go Sooners!
www.firerobin.com-
That's interesting! But you change it as a hobby, not as a requirement, I suppose!!
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Last time I got excited I managed to delete all my blog files so had to completely start again....I like the template I have now easy to use and if I stuff up a sidebar I can fix it without stuffling up rest of the template
angelpsychicblessings.com/blog5/ -
MeghnaK why would you change from a 3 column to a 2 column? I think that 3 column blogs are great-
Thanx. My posts get somewhat squeezed. As I've slightly longer posts, it looks even more longer. That's what I suppose
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I'm afraid to change my template. Will I lose my widgets? Will I lose my comments? Will I lose (gasp) my posts?
Oh yeah, forgot to mention... I am on blogspot (blogger)
pastexpiry.blogspot.com-
No, I think you won't lose your widgets, which can be saved prior to changing. Others can explain in detail
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You make a good point, and it happened to me. I added a lot of stuff to my old template and when i moved templates, I forgot to pull them over. It was important stuff too...lots of meta tags like keywords, description, etc.
Just be careful when you change to get everything.
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Recently change about a week ago , spend hours customising it ... I think it's done .... www.MyBoxPro.com -
Never change. -
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@backer37
There are free templates for Blogger (blogspot) blogs at several locations on the net. Here are some of them:
www.pyzam.com/bloggertemplates
blogger-templates.blogspot.com/
www.finalsense.com/services/blog_templates/
freetemplates.blogspot.com/
www.eblogtemplates.com/
mashable.com/2008/05/17/70-plus-new-and-beautiful-blogger-templates/
bloggerblogtemplates.blogspot.com/2008/02/dilectio-blogger-template.html
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I changed mine just today. I still need to make a logo though. I don't change too often.
Tell me what you think....
callmewhenyougetthere.blogspot.com/ -
i have been focusing on my blog layout 4 over the year.. now i guess it will be my final layout.. -
I have kept mine the same simple format and focus more on content.
realmenrock.blogspot.com
I guess I have done this because I am kind of a simple guy and find trying to keep changing the template might take away from what I blog about. -
I've changed it once...mainly because I was getting error messages every time I accessed my blog and couldn't figure out why, so I changed the url and header. I dunno if *that* fixed it, but it quit sending me errors all the time. That would be the only reason I would change a blog, but if you do it infrequently, then I think that is more than fine (then again, I'm not an expert blogger. I'm happy if I get one visitor a day *g*). -
Go to www.blogcatalog.com/user/deoangel and check out my blog. A 3-Column blog is the best way to go. Just make sure that it is not widget heavy. It should be pleasing to the eye and easy to navigate. That is the most important thing. -
I keep changing my templates frequently.
Changing templates gives a fresh look to your blog. -
Change is good
No change means no creativity -
I don' think there is any problem in changing the blog template often. May be it gives a new look each time you change the template. I changed my blogger template at sameerbloggs.blogspot.com/ many times.
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About every six months if I have a good reason for doing so. -
no! I love my template and I have no plan to change it. check it out and you can know the reason why.
idealpinkrose.blogspot.com -
There is no set timeframe to this, but sometimes a design "runs its course". When this has occurred is generally a matter of instinct, rather than schedule.
I also have to find a template that really speaks to me, and also is straightforward to hack into in order to customise it to my liking. This inhibits changing too much, too soon.
www.whirledpeas.eu -
When I first set up my blog, I moved it around several times. I think someone earlier compared it to rearranging furniture. I rearranged the content until I felt comfortable with the look and have pretty much left it alone since. That's just me though.-
Perfect timing for this discussion- i'm still in cloud nine after having finally finished tweaking my blog, w/c took me roughly 2 days to achieve the look & feel that i wanted
Care to look?
fullcircle-kl.blogspot.com
Thanks, peeps!
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