Process Of Pimping My Blog!

My first assignment on this blog was to "Pimp My Blog." So here is the process that I took in making my blog look the way it is! 

First I wanted to start with my background. I have no idea where to start so I googled “how to change a background on blogger.” I clicked on a Youtube tutorial video and watched. The video can be found here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ia26My4s_-g

I decided to look through the images blogger already had available to use. Nothing really caught my eye so I decided I wanted my own image.

Then I looked through my own pictures trying to find something that would go with the title of my blog or close to the idea of a “looking glass.” something that represented perspective and what not.

After looking on Google images for “pirate telescopes” “camera lenses” and even “looking glass” I came up empty handed.  So I went back through the ones already on blogger. I went back and forth between the image of a person holding up a camera and the glass lantern on the beach. I decided on the lantern because I think it shows a different perspective, which is what I was looking for originally.

Then there was a conflict in the color themes that were pre-selected.  In every color selection available on the background tab, some texts on my blog were washed out and hard to read.  To resolve this issue I went to the advanced tab and chose a custom color scheme.  I continuously checked the colors on the background until I found ones that I loved.

Next I wanted to change the layout of my blog. Since I don’t have much context on my blog yet, it was a quick process. I chose to move my About Me section to the left hand side of my blog and my archives on the right hand side.  I chose this layout because people read from left to right so they are more likely to see my About Me section relatively soon.  I also added a Contact Me page. I linked my Twitter, Facebook, and email address to my blog.  In my layout I made my Home and Contact Me tab along the top of my blog. 

Finally I added some Blogger gadgets on the side of my blog. I wasn’t exactly sure how to at first so I found a page on wiki how, that had instructions and a video (http://www.wikihow.com/Add-a-Widget-to-Blogger) that was helpful.  I added a Search Bar in case someone wanted to search for a specific post on my blog. I also added a Popular Post gadget.  Finally I added a Share This Post gadget so readers can easily share my posts to Twitter and Facebook.

 Overall I had a good experience “pimping” my blog.  I learned very much about how Blogger works and how to navigate my blog.  Plus it was fun! I hope you enjoy my blog!