{"id":11936,"date":"2010-03-14T10:32:25","date_gmt":"2010-03-14T05:02:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/?p=11936"},"modified":"2026-10-12T18:53:29","modified_gmt":"2026-10-12T13:23:29","slug":"blogger-template-designer","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2010\/03\/blogger-template-designer\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Customize Your Blogger Theme (Theme Designer Guide 2026)"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>In March 2010 Blogger launched the Template Designer, letting bloggers move beyond the same old templates with one-click layouts and backgrounds. We used it to restyle the QOT status blog. Today it&#8217;s simply called <strong>Theme<\/strong> in Blogger, and it&#8217;s still the easiest way to <strong>customize your Blogger theme<\/strong> without touching code. Here&#8217;s how.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-64728\" src=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-content\/uploads\/customize-blogger-theme-1024x538.webp\" alt=\"Customize your Blogger theme\" width=\"1024\" height=\"538\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-content\/uploads\/customize-blogger-theme-1024x538.webp 1024w, https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-content\/uploads\/customize-blogger-theme-300x158.webp 300w, https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-content\/uploads\/customize-blogger-theme-150x79.webp 150w, https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-content\/uploads\/customize-blogger-theme-768x403.webp 768w, https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-content\/uploads\/customize-blogger-theme.webp 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><strong>Quick answer:<\/strong> In Blogger, open your blog and go to <strong>Theme<\/strong>. Pick a modern responsive theme (Contempo, Soho, Emporio, Notable or Essential), then click <strong>Customize<\/strong> to change the background, colours, fonts and layout width. Use <strong>Layout<\/strong> to add or move gadgets. Back up the theme before using Edit HTML.<\/p>\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_89 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-custom ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<label for=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6adada8da6e7c\" class=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-label\"><span class=\"ez-toc-cssicon\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #1a202c;color:#1a202c\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #1a202c;color:#1a202c\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/label><input type=\"checkbox\"  id=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6adada8da6e7c\" checked aria-label=\"Toggle\" \/><nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2010\/03\/blogger-template-designer\/#Step_1_Choose_a_theme\" >Step 1: Choose a theme<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2010\/03\/blogger-template-designer\/#Step_2_Customize_the_look\" >Step 2: Customize the look<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2010\/03\/blogger-template-designer\/#Step_3_Arrange_gadgets_in_Layout\" >Step 3: Arrange gadgets in Layout<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2010\/03\/blogger-template-designer\/#Step_4_Edit_HTML_advanced\" >Step 4: Edit HTML (advanced)<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2010\/03\/blogger-template-designer\/#Tips\" >Tips<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2010\/03\/blogger-template-designer\/#FAQ\" >FAQ<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2010\/03\/blogger-template-designer\/#What_happened_to_Blogger_Template_Designer\" >What happened to Blogger Template Designer?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2010\/03\/blogger-template-designer\/#Can_I_upload_my_own_Blogger_theme\" >Can I upload my own Blogger theme?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2010\/03\/blogger-template-designer\/#Will_changing_my_Blogger_theme_delete_posts\" >Will changing my Blogger theme delete posts?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Step_1_Choose_a_theme\"><\/span>Step 1: Choose a theme<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Go to Theme and browse the theme families. Contempo, Soho, Emporio, Notable and Essential are mobile-friendly. Click a design to preview, then Apply.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Step_2_Customize_the_look\"><\/span>Step 2: Customize the look<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<ol>\n<li>On the Theme page, click <strong>Customize<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<li>Change the <strong>Background<\/strong> image or main colour theme.<\/li>\n<li>Adjust <strong>Advanced<\/strong> settings: fonts, text colours, link colours and accents.<\/li>\n<li>Set the layout width and sidebar width.<\/li>\n<li>Click Save when you&#8217;re happy with the preview.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Step_3_Arrange_gadgets_in_Layout\"><\/span>Step 3: Arrange gadgets in Layout<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Open <strong>Layout<\/strong> to add gadgets like popular posts, labels, search, follow by email alternatives and HTML\/JavaScript boxes. Drag them to reorder.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Step_4_Edit_HTML_advanced\"><\/span>Step 4: Edit HTML (advanced)<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li>Theme &gt; the arrow next to Customize &gt; <strong>Backup<\/strong> to download your theme first.<\/li>\n<li>Then choose <strong>Edit HTML<\/strong> to change the theme code or add CSS.<\/li>\n<li>For small style changes, add CSS under Customize &gt; Advanced &gt; Add CSS instead.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Tips\"><\/span>Tips<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li>Check the <strong>mobile<\/strong> view; the modern themes are responsive by default.<\/li>\n<li>Third-party Blogger themes can contain hidden links or scripts; download only from trusted designers.<\/li>\n<li>Pair a fresh design with your own <a href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2007\/01\/blogger-blogspot-blogs-can-switch-to-custom-domain-names\/\">custom domain<\/a>.<\/li>\n<li>Keep regular <a href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2005\/11\/back-up-your-blogger-blog\/\">backups of your Blogger blog<\/a>, including the theme.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"FAQ\"><\/span>FAQ<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_happened_to_Blogger_Template_Designer\"><\/span>What happened to Blogger Template Designer?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>It became the Theme section with its Customize option.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Can_I_upload_my_own_Blogger_theme\"><\/span>Can I upload my own Blogger theme?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Yes, use Theme &gt; Restore to upload an XML theme file.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Will_changing_my_Blogger_theme_delete_posts\"><\/span>Will changing my Blogger theme delete posts?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>No. Posts stay, but some gadgets may need to be added again.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>In March 2010 Blogger launched the Template Designer, letting bloggers move beyond the same old templates with one-click layouts and&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":64728,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_kad_post_transparent":"","_kad_post_title":"","_kad_post_layout":"","_kad_post_sidebar_id":"","_kad_post_content_style":"","_kad_post_vertical_padding":"","_kad_post_feature":"","_kad_post_feature_position":"","_kad_post_header":false,"_kad_post_footer":false,"_kad_post_classname":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-11936","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-blogging"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11936","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=11936"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11936\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":64729,"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11936\/revisions\/64729"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/64728"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=11936"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=11936"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=11936"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}