How to: Work with "Pages"

Working with "Pages" is one of the key parts to organizing our blogs. It enables us to mimic websites by creating individual pages to feature key information. Common Page titles can be "About Me", "Gallery", and "Contact Me", just to name a few. Pages can also be used to features items for sale and by installing Paypal cart buttons we can turn our blogs into pseudo shopping carts.

Working with the Pages feature of Blogger is fairly easy and involves two parts; creating the page and then working with the Page gadget to display the page. This tutorial covers both aspects of this handy built in tool.

When you see written links or images links, like those displayed at the top of this blog, chances are you're see the "Pages" tool being utilized.  When you click on the link you're being taken to an individual page on that blog. In this tutorial we'll cover how to create a page and how to display a link to that page on your blog.  This will enable you to create your own set of written links on your blog. Please note, this does not include how to create image links as they are created using custom images, html code, and mathematical calculations. If you are interested in this type of custom navigation then please contact me for more info.

1. Begin by logging into your blog...

2. and from the main page, click on "Design"...

3. You are now on the "Template" page of your blog...

4. To begin creating "Pages" click on the "Pages" link found in the left side link area...

5. Here you'll see a view of all of the "Pages" you have created for your blog. In this case, I've never created a page so there are no titles present...

6. To create our first page, we'll click on the "New page" button in the top navigation area...

7. In the next view you will see and area that looks identical to the posting area of your blog...

8. This is where you can add information and most importantly, create a title for page.

Please note: If you need help learning how to use this area, be sure to view my video tutorial on "How to Write a Blog Post".

9. For now we're going to add a title to the page and add some simple text, so begin by clicking in the "Page title" area and type the title you want for your page...

Please note: This title is what will appear in your navigation area too so keep your titles short and to the point.

10. Next click in the text area and type in some information...

11. Once you're finished inputting your information you can click the "Publish" button...

12. Now that your "Page" is created you will see the title appear in the list of "Pages"...

13. Each time you create a new "Page" the title will be added to the list...

14. Remember, all we've done so far is create the "Pages", we'll now need to add them to our blog. This is done by working with the "Pages" gadget which is found in the "Layout" area of your blog so click on that link in the left link section...

15. Choose the area you would like to add the list of "Pages" (in this case I would like them to appear just below my banner) and click on "Add a Gadget"...

17. A pop-up window will appear...

18. Scroll down to the "Pages" gadget and click on the blue + button, or title...

19. Here you will see all of the "Page" titles you created and an additional title, "Home". This "Home" link is very important because it helps visitors navigate your blog to find their way back to the main page of your blog...

20. Within this area you can

• rearrange your titles by clicking and dragging them into a new order
• Retitle the gadget from "Pages" to another name like "Blog Links"
• and Add a new linked page

21. For top navigation I like to leave the title off, so once you have everything set the way you like, scroll down and click the "Save" button...

22. You will now see a new gadget title appear in the "Layout" section titled "Pages"...

23. Any time you wish to make changes to this gadget you can return here and click on the "Edit" button....

24. To view your new gadget in place on your blog, click the "View blog" button at the top of the page...

25. Congratulations! You've successfully added "Pages" to your blog...

Whenever you wish to add pages to your blog, simply return to the "Pages" area and create a new page. The new page title will automatically be added to the "Pages" link list.

Enjoy~