Beginner Level: Getting Started with Blogger and Blogspot

 Beginner Level: Getting Started with Blogger and Blogspot





1. Introduction to Blogger and Blogspot

What is Blogger?
Blogger is a free content management system (CMS) provided by Google that allows users to create and manage blogs.

Difference between Blogger and Blogspot:

  • Blogger is the platform/tool where you manage your blog.
  • Blogspot is the domain hosting service used by Blogger.

Example: Your blog URL may look like: yourname.blogspot.com

Pros:

  • Free hosting by Google
  • Easy to use for beginners
  • Google AdSense integration

Cons:

  • Limited customization
  • Fewer professional templates than WordPress

 

2. How to Create a Blog on Blogspot

Step-by-Step Blog Setup:

  1. Go to https://blogger.com
  2. Click on "Create Your Blog"
  3. Sign in with your Google Account

Connecting to Google Account:

  • Use an existing Gmail or create a new one.
  • Blogger automatically links with your Google account for management.

 

3. Blogger Dashboard Overview

Layout of Dashboard:

  • Left Sidebar contains:
    • Posts
    • Pages
    • Layout
    • Theme
    • Settings
    • Earnings
    • Reading List

Explanation of Menu Options:

  • Posts: Manage and create blog posts
  • Pages: Add static pages like About, Contact
  • Theme: Change appearance
  • Layout: Customize blog layout
  • Settings: General, publishing, SEO, permissions

 

4. Choosing the Right Blog Name and URL

Tips for Naming Your Blog:

  • Keep it short, memorable, and relevant
  • Avoid numbers and special characters
  • Reflect your niche

Selecting a Professional Domain:

  • Free domain: yourname.blogspot.com
  • Paid domain: buy via Google Domains or GoDaddy (e.g., yourname.com)

 

5. Selecting and Applying a Theme

Default Themes vs. Custom Themes:

  • Blogger provides basic free themes
  • Custom themes (from websites like SoraTemplates, GooyaabiTemplates)

How to Apply and Preview a Theme:

  1. Go to Theme
  2. Click Customize
  3. Preview and click Apply

 

6. Basic Settings Configuration

Title, Description, Favicon:

  • Go to Settings
    • Blog Title: Name of your blog
    • Description: Short info about your blog
    • Favicon: Upload your blog logo

HTTPS, Permissions, Meta tags:

  • Enable HTTPS for security
  • Permissions: Add admins or authors
  • Meta Tags: Enable search description for better SEO

 

7. Creating Your First Blog Post

Title, Content Formatting:

  • Go to Posts > New Post
  • Add a relevant and catchy Title
  • Use formatting tools (Bold, Italic, Headings)

Adding Images, Links, and Videos:

  • Click the Image icon to upload images
  • Use the Link button for hyperlinks
  • Embed YouTube videos using Insert Video

Publishing and Preview:

  • Click Preview to see how it looks
  • Hit Publish when ready

 

8. Adding Static Pages (About, Contact etc.)

Difference between Posts and Pages:

  • Posts: Regular content, appears on the homepage
  • Pages: Static, standalone (e.g., About, Contact)

Adding and Linking Pages:

  1. Go to Pages > New Page
  2. Create and publish your About or Contact page
  3. Link them via Layout > Pages Widget

 

9. Using Labels and Categories

How to Organize Posts:

  • Use Labels while writing a post to group related content

E.g., "Travel", "Tech Tips", "Recipes"

Best SEO Practices for Labels:

  • Use relevant, searchable keywords
  • Avoid too many similar labels
  • Keep labels consistent across posts

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