At left is my website home page for The Flirty Guide.com. My mission? Create a blog template that complements the website by customizing the standard template I chose from the blogger template gallery.

Wow... I can't believe how much work it was to customize my blog template! At the cost of some sleep and after repeatedly testing the html code and fidgeting with the widgets to figure out what went where and adjusting image files... I think I've finally found the right balance of color, design, new graphics and functionality. YAY!

Remember that a template is just that: A template. It can be altered to match the look of your website from the background to the colors and layout.

And for those who want to experiment with their blog template? Be sure to always create a back up copy of your blog before you begin experimenting with modifications. There is a terrible story about the time I didn't do that. It resulted in the following post on my blog: A Blogtastrophe of Gargantuan Proportion

It does take a bit of know how. Some changes are very rudimentary, while others may require someone familiar with html. The main message though is that you can alter the template and, imo, it should match complement website creating a visual similarity that the viewer identifies as part of your brand. Plus it just looks better :)