This is the sixth post in the “How to Create a Powerful Blog” series of posts. Before, I’ve show you many things like why to use a Wordpress, or how to choose a domain name or hosting for your blog and how to optimize your blog and articles on it completely for free. Now, I’m going to show you why and how to convert the completely free theme to the unique and more-professional one.
This is one of the hardest and more time-consuming steps that any previous one. So, you’ll need to know how to successfully convert a free blog template to the nice-looking professional one. This is not going to be an easy job for me (and for you), so I’d try to explain to you what and how to do that the best way I can.
Why to use an Unique Theme?
Of course, I’d need to tell you why you should use an unique blog template instead of the free-one available on the internet. Unique blog design templates might be expensive for you, and below I’ll tell you why many bloggers uses them if they actually can use the free templates – like you do.
- Unique – I’m sure that you would want to have an unique style of your blog. This way, you’re showing how much you’re serious about your blog, what do you actually expect from it and what do you think. Also, visitors would like to come on the fresh and unique-looking blog for sure.
- Support – Most professional designers allows you to contact them if you have a problem regarding your professional (paid) site theme. Most of them will help you to fix the problem the best way you can. They’ve created the whole template for you and they know anything about it for sure.
- Feel – This is the third factor regarding unique theme for your blog. Believe me, there’s no better feeling when you create and get your blog template unique. You and your visitors would love it for sure.
Things to Know at the Beginning
Below, I’ll try to show you the basic things you should know at the very beginning. Before you start, you should know the following things:
- What do you want – First of all, you need to know exactly what do you want from your blog. How things should look and the end and which type of the audience you want to attract to your site.
- What do you know – Of course, this is all possible if you are capable to do that by your self. You can always ask for help on many places and forums on the internet. Most people will help you out for free I’m sure.
- Have a picture in your head – Look for the blogs you like, look how their theme is organized. The important thing is to have a picture in your head how it should look on your blog. I’m sure that you can find a free theme which is similar to any blog on the internet.
The three above things are for sure the most important things you should know at the beginning of this journey. Think about them a little and only decide once you’re a 100% sure to continue.
Places to Learn the Basics
The below list is the list of the places I’ve choose that can help you to learn some basics of the HTML and CSS. It’s very important to find out how things are going before you start.
Learn about HTML
HTML Tutorial – Very nice and professional place where you can learn the basics (and much more) about the HTML and overall elements of the every site. Filled with the examples and all information and guides placed on the one place.
Learn about CSS
CSS Tutorial – If you already know the basics of the HTML, you should learn something about CSS too. This is one of the most important things to know when you’re going to design your site. Most site designs are actually based on this technology.
Learning CSS – There you’ll find the unbelievable source of the CSS learning materials on the internet. I specially like the section where you can find the articles not related to the English language. Very nice resource site for sure.
Site Images and Design
You should know that the main things for the conversion are image elements and CSS styles for every template. Once you get the basic knowledge, you’re ready to convert the template.
It’s not that hard work once you get the little basic stuffs about it. Of course, you’ll need to be capable to know which are the image and design (mostly CSS) elements are used on your site. You should specially take care about the following elements on your site design:
- Images – Images and photos are part of the every website on the internet. When you’re converting you template, it’s important to change the images so that they can fit on your new design.
- Colors – Of course, it’s very important to choose the right colors for your website. Using the nice-looking and professional color combination can improve your blog design quality. Color styles are usually placed in the CSS.
- Codes – You should take care about additional styling codes for your site. There you’ll need to take care about <h#> codes, quotes and many others. They’re all editable and available in your site style.
- Site Fonts – The important thing is of course the font size and type you should use on your site. It need to be a compatible with other computers and systems on the world. So, use some of the default fonts for your site. Take care also about size of your fonts.
It’s actually all based on the do and check principle. You’ll need to check every change you’re made on your page to look and feel exactly how do you want it to. If you react fast, you’ll be able to fix the possible mistakes or errors much quickly. I recommend you to check your site whenever you change something on it!
Tools to Help You
Below, I’ll list the tools, applications and services that can be very helpful for you to successfully convert the free template to the professional one:
- 10 Firefox Extensions for the Web Developers
- 20+ Free Online CSS Generators
- 8 Great Applications for Bloggers
On the next post in the “How to Create a Powerful Blog” series of posts, I’ll try to help you how to successfully publish and advertise your site over the internet. It’s very important for every blog for sure.
This is the sixth post in the series of post regarding “How to Create a Powerful Blog”. Before, I’ve show you how to create a powerful article for your blog. Next post will be displayed here once it’s finished.
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