HI, WELCOME TO ELLIE TEMPLATE PAGE.
If you follow the instructions, you’ll end up with a design that resembles the demo. I recommend having the demo opened in a different tab and use it as a reference.
NEED HELP?
Please, check the TROUBLESHOOTING section at the end of this page. If your problem is not solved there, use the support form here to get priority over my regular email.
CHANGELOG
Version: 1.0.0
– Release date: May 26, 2020
RECOMMENDED IMAGE SIZES
HEADER: 300px wide.
POSTS: at least 1000px wide for the first image of each post, 800px wide for the rest.
LET’S START!
1. INSTALLATION
NEW BLOGGER DESIGN:
Go to THEME > Click on the three dots at the right > Restore > Upload the .xml file.
OLD BLOGGER DASHBOARD:
Go to THEME > Restore/Backup > Upload the .xml file.
2. CALENDAR DATE SETUP
Go to LAYOUT > BLOG POSTS > EDIT. In the date field select this format: day month year (ie. 20 May 2020) and SAVE.
3. MENU SETUP
Go to LAYOUT > MENU > EDIT.
In the NEW SITE NAME field, add the title that will appear on the menu (ie. HOME). In the NEW SITE URL field, add the page URL, don’t forget to add the HTTPS:// prefix. Click on ADD LINK.
To create a drop-down menu, add the parent item name, in the URL field add a hashtag (#). To create the child item, add an underscore (_) before the title name and add the page URL, make sure the child items are placed under the parent item, see example below:
When you’re happy with the end result, SAVE changes.
4. FEATURED POSTS SLIDER
To select these posts you have to add the Featured label to them (the slider will display the newest 3 posts). Labels are case sensitive, make sure only the F is upper case.
5. ABOUT SECTION
Open the IMAGE gadget and upload your profile picture.
Open the ABOUT ME gadget and edit the text as you like, you can keep or remove the LEARN MORE button image (make sure to add your link).
6. INSTAGRAM GADGET SETUP
Go to Snapwidget > Widgets > Create an account and select the FREE Instagram Grid widget.
In the Username area, you’ll be prompted to log in to your account to get the permissions required to display the feed.
Then, select 2 rows x 3 columns, 5px photo padding, Fade Out hover effect and YES to Responsive (this is very important).
Click on GET WIDGET. Click on COPY TO CLIPBOARD.
Paste the code in the Instagram HTML widget and SAVE.
7. POPULAR POSTS
Open the POPULAR POSTS gadget, select the time frame you want to display, tick the image thumbnail checkbox, and show up to 4 posts.
8. MAILCHIMP FORM SETUP
Open the SUBSCRIBE gadget, replace your FORM ACTION in the form code and SAVE.
IMPORTANT: You need a MailChimp account and an Audience created to use this form.
How to get the MailChimp form action. (follow until step 6, copy that link into your browser and then copy the new link in the FORM ACTION area of the code I provide).
9. ARCHIVES
Open the BROWSE THE ARCHIVES gadget, select the option “Flat list” and SAVE.
10. SOCIAL ICONS SETUP
Open the SOCIAL ICONS gadget, add your social network name and link, click the ADD LINK button and repeat with each social icon you need. Use the arrows to rearrange the order of the icons and SAVE.
11. CUSTOM 404 PAGE
Go to SETTINGS > SEARCH PREFERENCES > CUSTOM PAGE NOT FOUND. Add the following content and edit the text as you wish:
<h2>404</h2> <br/> <h4>Oops! That page can’t be found.</h4>
12. CUSTOM COLORS + FONTS
Go to THEME > CUSTOMIZE > ADVANCED. Use the dropdown arrow to navigate the different options.
13. ENABLE RESPONSIVE DESIGN
Go to THEME > Click on the arrow next to CUSTOMIZE > Mobile settings > Choose DESKTOP.
TROUBLESHOOTING
THE HEADER IMAGE IS BLURRY
The header image supports retina display. To prevent blurriness create your header at 300px wide, make the content reach both sides so no empty space is left. Once uploaded it will display at half the size and perfectly sharp. If you need a bigger logo please contact me so I can help you.
THE FEATURED POSTS SLIDER IS NOT WORKING
– Make sure your blog is in Public mode.
– Make sure your feed is set to “Complete” or “Until Jump Break” in Settings > Other.
– Make sure your Featured label/category has an uppercase F.