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Posts from February 2015

Typepad 101: Shaking Up Your Front Page

By default, the front page of your Typepad blog will display the 10 most recent posts you've published, with the most recent at the top. This is a very common format, but sometimes you may want to configure your blog a bit differently. In this post, we will look at some of the different options Typepad offers for the front page of your blog.

Ten posts is usually a good number to display on the front page. People who would like to read back in your blog don't have to keep hitting the next page all the time, while at the same time the page doesn't get too long and unwieldy. If your posts are quite long or very short, however, you might want to adjust the number up or down. Or maybe you're doing something very different with your blog - our example photo showcase blog has just one post on each page so that it looks like a photo album.

To change the number of posts on the front page, go to the Settings > Posts page for your blog and look for the Posts to Display section. You can display a certain number of posts or even a certain number of days of posts (we only recommend using the Days setting if you post regularly or on a consistent schedule). Enter the number that you want to display and use the drop-down menu to choose posts or days, then scroll down to the bottom of the page to save your changes.

Posts to Display

Maybe 10 posts is a good number, but you're using your blog to tell a story that you'd like people to read from the beginning. In this case, you may want to have your blog display oldest posts first. Do be aware that if you use this format, readers who arrive at your blog won't easily be able to tell if or when you have published a new post. However, if you're using your blog to tell a complete narrative and won't be adding to it, the "oldest first" display might be ideal for your needs.

To adjust the display order, go to Settings > Posts and scroll down to the Order of Posts section. Choose either newest or oldest first, then save your changes.

Order of Posts

Another way that you can customize the display of your front page is to only display posts from certain categories. For instance, you might want more of a magazine format for your blog and to display only featured articles on the front page. Or maybe you have one or more categories you don't want on the front page, but you would like to display all of the other categories. First, make sure you know how to configure categories for your posts. Also, keep in mind that visitors arriving at your blog may not be aware that you have categories other than the ones that appear on the front page. We recommend displaying a listing of all categories using the Categories sidebar module or linking to categories using the navigation bar.

Once you've got everything set up with your categories, head on over to the Settings > Posts page and look for the section called Limit Recent Posts. When you click on the drop-down menu here, you'll see options to add a new category or to assign multiple categories and also a listing of all the categories on your blog. If you choose one of the categories in the listing, only the posts in that category will appear on the front page of your blog. Set up the category or categories you want to display, then save your changes.

Limit Recent Posts

All of these options are great, but perhaps you don't want to display your posts on the front page of your blog at all. Maybe you want to set up a landing page with important information for your readers, or you want to use your blog more like a website instead of having a stream of recent posts. First, you'll need to create the informational Page with the content for your landing page. If you plan to have posts as well as one or more Pages, you'll want to be sure to provide a link to the recent posts page in the sidebar or navigation bar.

On the Settings > Posts page, look for the Front Page section. Choose the option to display a Page and then select the Page that you want to use. After saving your changes, you will see that the Front Page section now lists the URL for the recent posts page for your blog. Be sure to copy this URL so that you can set up the link in your navigation bar!

Front Page

One other Typepad feature you may want to take advantage of in combination with any of the options discussed above - or just by itself if you want to - is the recently-added auto-generated excerpts option. This is especially helpful if you tend to write longer posts but you want to keep the front page of your blog from getting too long. You can use the split extended entry feature to manually create an introduction for each page, but if that's too much effort, just head on over to Settings > Posts and turn on the Auto-Generated Excerpts option. You can also choose whether or not to include a featured image. We recommend turning on this option to add more pop to your excerpts.

Auto-Generated Excerpts

Here's what your published posts will look like with the featured image option selected:

Featured Image

There you have it - five ways to shake up the front page of your blog. Have you customized the display of your front page? Tell us about it and share a link in the comments!


Typepad on Pinterest: Leona Lane

Did you know Typepad is on Pinterest? It's true! We love pinning and repinning great content from Typepad blogs in every genre, and we're always looking for great, inspirational content. Are you on Pinterest? Drop your link in the comments, and don't forget to follow Typepad right here! If you're not on Pinterest yet, check it out - it's a great way to promote your blog and connect with others!

Want some inspiration? Check out our featured pinner, Leona Lane

Leona Lane is a lifestyle and craft blog by Renae and Jenn.  They set out to celebrate the little things that make life great from outdoor adventures, learning a new craft project or discovering delicious new food.

Screen Shot 2015-02-17 at 3.59.19 PM

FOLLOW: Blog | Pinterest

Want to promote your pinterest account on your Typepad blog? Just go to Blogs > Content and add the Pinterest Widget to your Sidebar via the center menu. While you're there, make your blog posts "pinable" by adding the Pin It button to your post footers.

Want even more? Learn how to promote your blog on Pinterest and follow Typepad at www.pinterest.com/typepad.


The Big Impact: Sidebar Header Images

Bigimpact

Welcome to our series on making small changes that are guaranteed to help level up your blog's look. Every other week we’ll debut a new post, profiling some great blogs for inspiration that employ Typepad's built-in features. We'll also offer up tips and tricks that can help improve your blog's appeal, gain new readers, and build a more engaged community. Check out our other posts in the series here!

Today we continue our series on how making small changes to your blog can leave a lasting impression on your readers. Besides using the Theme Builder and custom banners creatively, another way to personalize your blog appearance is using images as your sidebar headers.

It is very easy to add an image to your sidebar.  The examples shared today are blogs showing how customizing their sidebar headers using images ties in to their business brand to keep a cohesive look.

First is photographer Violet Short's blog Blythe Ponytail Parades where she applies simple and delicate text images with a thin border around it to tie in to her classic, whimsical design. 

Screen Shot 2015-02-08 at 4.06.19 PM

Next we have Graphic Designer Amanda Rose Zampelli who keeps a color palette of hot pink and a unique shade of seafoam green to show off her fresh and playful style.

Screen Shot 2015-02-08 at 3.48.02 PM

All blogs featured in our current series can be found in the Typepad Showcase! If you think you have what it takes to be in the spotlight, submit your own blog today!


Featured Blog: The Sewing Room

NAME: Art Gallery Fabrics
BLOG: The Sewing Room
TYPEPAD MEMBER SINCE: 2008
WHY YOU'LL LOVE IT: The Sewing Room is the blog for Art Gallery Fabrics, a bespoke textile manufacturer and in house design studio, based in Hollywood, Florida. The AGF Sewing Room is the place to go for sewing tips, tutorials, and step by step projects that every sewer - from beginner to advanced - can tackle, with style!

AGF: The Sewing Room

FOLLOW: Typepad | Twitter


Rolling Out of Beta: Domain Registrations (and Transfers!) with Integrated Domain Mapping for All

As we mentioned a few weeks back, we started rolling out our integrated domain registration and mapping to all users.

We are incredibly excited to announce that we have completed this roll out and all Typepad members will now see the option to register and immediately map a domain at Account > Domain Mapping.

Custom-domains

We're even more excited to announce that Typepad is now set up to accept domain transfers from other registrars.

Do you have a domain that you want to set up domain mapping with, but your registrar won't allow you to create a CNAME record?  You can now transfer the domain to Typepad and then use the integrated domain mapping to complete the process.

If you have any questions on either registering a domain, transferring a domain, or how to use the integrated mapping, just let us know!  We're always here to help.


Typepad 101: Contribute to Typepad, Join the Beta Team

Catch all the bugs: Join the Beta Team

2014 saw a lot of new features and improvements released, all of which began with a Beta launch. Beta is the stage of testing where we ask those who've opted in to test the early development of new features and help run the updates through their paces. Testing is an important part of getting new tools out to you, and the Beta Team is an integral part of that process.

How to Join the Beta Team

We try to uncover as much as possible before releasing a feature to Beta, but sometimes the designs chosen and content added varies too far from what we consider an average blog. That's why it's so important to have an active Beta Team. That's where we hope a lot of you come in.

Joining the Beta Team is easy and will not impact your existing content. Go to Account > Summary, check the box to join, and click Save Changes. You can learn more about it in our Knowledge Base

Checking What's in Beta Now

It's easy to check what's in Beta, as you'll be able to refer to Everything Typepad's Features category or emails you've received specifically because you're a Beta Team member. Both options are the first step in knowing what's new, as some features may not be noticeable in the app right away.

Recent Beta History

Recent releases have seen features pushed from Beta to Production, meaning it's readily available to all Typepad users, while more are being sent to Beta for testing. Here's some idea of what the Beta team has either helped test and what they're testing now:

Now in Production

  • Disqus commenting
  • Spotlight Posts
  • Responsive themes
  • Post Excerpts
  • Domain Registration

Currently in Beta Testing

  • Post Carousel
  • Sidebar Carousel
  • Theme Builder Updates

...and we hope you'll join, too, as we have something that's getting ready for Beta that is unlike anything we've released before. 

How to Test and Report

You can always choose to not test a specific feature, but it's our hope that you'll find them interesting enough to try out. If you're ready to test something new, you can review the blog post or email to find out what it is, how to enable it, and where to find out more information.

Once the new feature is enabled, the first step is to check your blog. If you notice anything out of place, or you think something isn't working right due to enabling the feature, disable it to confirm. Turn options on and off. If it's movable, then try moving it to a different location. Put it through its paces, try to break it, take notes of what happened and how to reproduce the behavior. 

The next step is to share what you've found by opening a new help ticket by clicking the Help link at the top right of your dashboard. 

Testing without Impacting Main Blog

We cannot stress how much testing by users helps us to release a well-rounded feature. And because blogging is our business, we know how important it is to make sure expectations and livelihoods are not affected by features that could negatively impact your blog. Enter the test blog.

With a test blog, you'll be able to duplicate your existing blog's design, and import your blog posts, to see how new features will affect the design, the content, and the overall behavior of your blog. Being able to do this means that you can thoroughly test a new feature, and all of its options, without fear that it will be seen by readers. It also means that you can work with a feature to set it up for use with your blog, getting it exactly the way you want, before introducing it to your readers and fellow bloggers.

Gotta Catch 'Em All

The entire Typepad team works to catch as many bugs as possible during the Alpha phase of testing. We want the features to still be functional and presentable for Beta testers, but sometimes a pesky bug or two will slip through. It's our hope that you'll help take part in making Typepad even better by joining the Beta Team. We'd be fortunate to have you join.


Typepad on Pinterest: Urban Comfort

Did you know Typepad is on Pinterest? It's true! We love pinning and repinning great content from Typepad blogs in every genre, and we're always looking for great, inspirational content. Are you on Pinterest? Drop your link in the comments, and don't forget to follow Typepad right here! If you're not on Pinterest yet, check it out - it's a great way to promote your blog and connect with others!

Want some inspiration? Check out our featured pinner, Urban Comfort

Suzonne writes about life in New Orleans as a professional magazine stylist, a creative, and mother.  A lifestyle blog mixing food, craft, family and more.

Urbancomfort copy

FOLLOW: Blog | Pinterest

Want to promote your pinterest account on your Typepad blog? Just go to Blogs > Content and add the Pinterest Widget to your Sidebar via the center menu. While you're there, make your blog posts "pinable" by adding the Pin It button to your post footers.

Want even more? Learn how to promote your blog on Pinterest and follow Typepad at www.pinterest.com/typepad.


The Big Impact: How small changes can level up your blog’s look

The_big_impact

Welcome to our series on making small changes that are guaranteed to help level up your blog's look. Every other week we’ll debut a new post, profiling some great blogs for inspiration that employ Typepad's built-in features. We'll also offer up tips and tricks that can help improve your blog's appeal, gain new readers, and build a more engaged community.

One smart thing that successful Typepad bloggers do is take advantage of the many features offered at every level, from Plus, to Premium, and beyond. Ranging from simple to complex, these features and tweaks allow our bloggers to make small changes that can have a big impact.

This week, we're featuring two Typepad bloggers who are taking advantage of Typepad's built-in design features by using the Theme Builder, custom banners, and Sidebar elements in creative ways. These blogs feature clean, classic lines and organized content, well-placed images and keen use of color; all elements that work together to ensure an eye-catching, memorable design. Want to level up your blog's appeal, too? Read on.

Second Story Window is the joint effort of Heidi and Emily, two sisters with a love of teaching. Their passion for making education fun is reflected in their eye-catching design, featuring bright pops of color and lots of graphical elements to help you navigate around their blog:

Second Story Window

Check the Knowledge Base for tips on adding your own custom banner, or let us show you how easy it can be to create your own design with our Theme Builder.

Leigh-Ann is the blogger behind Freckled Nest, a Graphic Design & Brand Development company. Her blog is clean and contemporary, focusing on content and drawing the eye with bright spots of color. Swapping the traditional across-the-top banner with a stylish sidebar makes her design unique:

Leigh-Ann

Want to make your Sidebar look smarter? We'll teach you how to add custom content, display a carousel, and easily add images. It's all in our Knowledge Base!

All blogs featured in our current series can be found in the Typepad Showcase! If you think you have what it takes to be in the spotlight, submit your own blog today!