How to Set Up a Blogger Website and Page Layout (2025 Step-by-Step Guide)

How to Set Up a Blogger Website and Page Layout Step by Step

How to Set Up a Blogger Website and Page Layout (2025 Step-by-Step Guide)

Starting a blog should feel simple, not scary. With Blogger, you can launch a clean site in an hour, then polish it as you go. You will end up with a working blog, a neat layout that makes sense on mobile, and a menu with the pages readers expect. You only need a Google account, a blog name, and one image for your header.

Here is the plan. Create your blog, choose a theme that is fast and readable, arrange your layout with a few helpful gadgets, add the core pages, then turn on key SEO and security settings. By the end, you will have a site you can share with pride.

Set up your Blogger website step by step

This is the quick start. Follow these steps to get your site live, then you can explore the design tools.

1. Go to blogger.com and sign in with your Google account.
2. Click Create a Blog, enter your blog title, pick a short site address, then confirm.
3. Write down your login, your blog address, and your display name.
4. Open Settings, set your language and time zone, then turn on HTTPS and HTTPS redirect for safety.
5. Go to Theme to pick a clean design, then press Apply.
6. Click Layout to edit your header, sidebar, and footer. Add a Page List gadget for your top menu.
7. Add core pages in Pages, like About, Contact, and Privacy Policy.
8. Adjust a few SEO items in Settings, like meta description and post count.
9. Preview your site, then publish your first post.

You can always return to the dashboard to fine tune. Posts is where you write, Theme controls style, and Layout controls structure. If you get stuck while creating your initial blog, the official guide is short and clear. See the steps in Create a blog on the Blogger Help Center: Create a blog.

Sign in to Blogger and create your blog in minutes

• Go to blogger.com and sign in using your Google account.
• Click Create a Blog, then follow the prompts to add your title and address.
• Your display name shows as the author, your blog title shows on the site.
• Tip: write down your login email and your blog address for later.

Pick a clear blog title and a short site address

Choose a title that says what your blog is about, not a mystery phrase. “Kitchen Notes by Sara” tells more than “Tasty Joy.” For the URL, keep it short and easy to type, like myfoodnotes.blogspot.com. Try to avoid hyphens if you can.

If the address is taken, add a small tweak that still reads well. It is easy to change a title later, but URLs are harder to change, so pick one you can live with.

Set your display name, time zone, and HTTPS

Open Settings on the left. Turn on HTTPS and HTTPS redirect, this protects readers and builds trust. Set your language and time zone, this keeps your post times accurate.

Optional: upload a small favicon now, or add it later in Layout. A tiny square image, clear at a small size, works best.

Learn the Blogger dashboard (Posts, Pages, Theme, Layout, Settings)

• Posts, write and manage your articles.
• Pages, add static pages like About or Contact.
• Theme, pick and customize your design.
• Layout, arrange your header, sidebar, and footer with gadgets.
• Settings, update site basics, privacy, and tools.

Click Preview before saving big theme changes so you can see how it looks first.

Choose a Blogger theme and design that looks clean on mobile

A good theme does three things. It loads fast, reads well, and works on phones without pinching and zooming. Blogger gives you a solid set of built-in themes. Pick one, then refine it with the Theme Designer.

Start in Theme, try a few options, and click Apply when you find a match. Use Customize to set fonts, colors, and widths. Keep your choices simple and strong. Dark text on a light background is easy to read. Body text at 16 to 18 px is comfortable for most readers.

Check how your blog looks on a real phone. Make sure links are easy to tap, headings stand out, and the content column is not too wide. Your posts should feel like a well-lit path, not a maze.

If you want to see how Blogger’s design tools work, the official help article shows where to change layout and add gadgets: Change the design of your blog. For a deeper look at template options and what makes a theme well optimized, this resource can help you compare approaches: The Ultimate Guide to Blogger Templates.

Which Blogger theme should you choose for your topic?

Clean themes like Contempo, Soho, Emporio, Notable, or Simple are good starting points. If you share many photos, pick a theme that showcases images with a wide content area. If your blog is text-first, choose a theme with clear headings and strong body fonts.

Test load speed and readability before you settle. A quick scroll test can reveal clutter or tiny type.

Use Theme Designer to set colors, fonts, and widths

Go to Theme, then click Customize. In Advanced, set the body font at 16 px or larger. Choose a readable body font and a clear heading font that is not too fancy.

Keep strong contrast, like dark gray or black text on a white or off-white background. Adjust content width so lines stay around 60 to 80 characters. Long lines tire the eyes.

If you want more advanced tweaks, a detailed tutorial can guide you through common changes: How to Customize Blogger Template (Theme).

Add a header image and a small favicon

In Layout, open the Header gadget and upload a wide image. Keep the file size small so it loads fast. Select title only, image only, or both. Simple usually wins.

Add a favicon in Layout. Use a square image that stays clear at small sizes.

Test your design on phones and tablets

Use Theme preview, then check your site on your phone. Look at the homepage, a single post, and a page. Check font size and line spacing. Make sure link buttons and menu items are easy to tap.

If anything looks cramped, raise the font size or spacing. Then refresh and check again.

Build a simple page layout with gadgets that people use

Your layout guides readers, like signs on a path. The Layout tab gives you control over the header, sidebar, and footer. Click Add a Gadget to introduce features, click Edit to adjust them, then Save arrangement when you are done.

Keep the layout light. A tight header, a helpful top menu, and a short sidebar make navigation simple. The goal is to help readers find your latest posts fast, then explore one or two more.

Use gadgets that earn their keep. Search, Popular Posts, and Labels are small helpers that lift discovery without clutter.

Edit your header and top menu for quick navigation

Open the Header gadget to set your title, description, and header image. Share a short description that explains your focus.

Add the Page List gadget to create a top menu. Include Home, About, Contact, and Privacy links. Keep labels short, then order them by reader need.

Set up a helpful sidebar with Add a Gadget

• Search: lets visitors find a topic fast.
• Popular Posts: showcases posts readers already like.
• Labels: groups posts by topic for easy browsing.

Limit Popular Posts to a small number, like 5 or fewer. Avoid stacking too many gadgets. Aim for 3 to 5 total so the sidebar stays useful.

Build a clean footer with legal pages and links

Add a Text or HTML gadget with a short copyright line. Link to Privacy Policy and Terms if you have them. Keep the footer short and scannable.

Here is a quick reference:

Gadget	Purpose
Page List	Top menu for About, Contact, Privacy
Search	Helps readers find posts
Popular Posts	Highlights well-read articles
Labels	Topic navigation by tag
Text/HTML	Copyright, simple notices, or links

Drag, drop, and save your layout changes

Use the drag handles in Layout to reorder gadgets. Click Save arrangement, then View blog to check your changes. Remove gadgets that do not help the reader. Less clutter, more focus.

If you ever need a refresher on where to find gadgets and layout options, this official guide is concise and handy: Change the design of your blog.

Create core pages, menu links, and quick SEO settings

Now add the pieces that build trust and help search engines understand your site. Write key pages, surface them in your menu, shape the homepage, and switch on a few safety and SEO settings.

Keep steps short. Publish pages first, then add them to your Page List. Set how many posts show on the homepage, add snippets with Jump Breaks, and use a Featured Post to point new readers to your best work.

For naming and structure, keep titles clear and simple. Avoid fluff.

Write must-have pages: About, Contact, Privacy Policy

Open Pages, click New Page, and keep each page focused.

• About: who you are, what readers will get, and why you write. Add a friendly photo if you have one.
• Contact: your email or a contact link, plus social links if you want.
• Privacy Policy: a plain note about cookies and basic data use.

Publish each page when it is ready.

Show pages in your menu with the Page List gadget

Add the Page List gadget in your header area or sidebar. Select the pages to show, and add custom links if needed. Keep the menu short. Put the most used links first.

Control your homepage: post count, snippets, featured post

In Settings, set the number of posts you want on the main page. Use the Jump Break in posts to create a short preview on the homepage, this keeps the page light and scannable. In Layout, add the Featured Post gadget to highlight one helpful article, like your “Start Here” guide.

Basic SEO: custom domain, meta description, HTTPS redirect, analytics

Open Settings to connect a custom domain if you have one. Keep the domain short and clear. For the setup steps with your registrar, follow the official instructions: Set up a custom domain.

Add a meta description so Google sees a short summary of your site. This helps search engines and readers. Make sure HTTPS and HTTPS redirect are on.

Add Google Analytics 4 using your property ID. You can add the GA tag to your theme (via HTML) or through settings if available. This lets you track what readers visit and what they click. If you need peer help while setting things up, you can scan relevant advice in the community forum: setting up a website - Blogger Community.

Conclusion

You now have a working blog: you created your site, chose a clean theme, set the layout, added key pages, and flipped the right settings for speed and safety. Keep it simple, write often, and let your structure serve the reader.

Quick checklist before you share your link:

• Mobile check looks good
• Menu links work
• Popular Posts shows a few items
• About page is live
• HTTPS is on

Publish your first post today, then share it with a friend. Keep your design calm, your words clear, and your posting steady every week.