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How to Customize the Default Label List Gadget in Blogger for a Stylish Look

Learn how to enhance your Blogger label list gadget with custom CSS for a stylish look. Improve your blog's design with this easy-to-follow guide.
Stephano kambeta

Hello Bloggers,

In this guide, we'll explore how to transform the default label list gadget in Blogger into a stylish and attractive feature that enhances your blog's visual appeal and user experience.

If you're looking to give your Blogger site a fresh, professional look, you've come to the right place. The default label list gadget in Blogger is functional but lacks style. This post will guide you through the process of customizing it to make your blog not only more attractive but also more user-friendly.

Imagine your blog with a sleek, modern label list that fits seamlessly into your sidebar, complete with cool hover effects and Font Awesome icons. Sounds great, right? By the end of this tutorial, you'll be able to achieve this transformation easily.

Before we dive in, make sure to back up your blog. It's always a good practice to have a backup in case anything goes wrong during customization.

Ready to get started? Let's transform your Blogger label list gadget into a stunning, stylish component that will impress your visitors and enhance your blog's overall look and feel.

How to Customize the Default Label List Gadget in Blogger for a Stylish Look

Benefits of a Stylish Label List Gadget

Upgrading your label list gadget offers numerous benefits, including improved aesthetics and enhanced user experience.

Visual Appeal

The default Blogger label list gadget is functional but rather plain. By customizing it, you can create a professional and stylish look that complements your blog's overall design. A visually appealing label list can attract more visitors and keep them engaged longer.

User Experience

A well-designed label list enhances navigation, making it easier for your readers to find content. This improved user experience can lead to higher reader satisfaction and increased return visits.

Features

Our customized label list gadget comes packed with great features:

  • No images are used, ensuring faster load times.
  • Integration with Font Awesome for a wide range of icons.
  • 100% professional and stylish design.
  • Cool hover effects to enhance interactivity.
  • Option to select or deselect labels, providing flexibility in what you display.
  • Easily fits into your blog's sidebar without disrupting the layout.

These features not only make your blog look better but also improve its functionality, making it a win-win for both aesthetics and usability.

Remember, it's important to select the "LIST" option in the Label Gadget settings, or this customization won't work.

Step-by-Step Guide to Customizing the Label List Gadget

Follow these simple steps to customize your Blogger label list gadget and give it a stylish, professional look.

Preparation

Before making any changes, it's crucial to back up your blog. This ensures you can restore it if anything goes wrong during the customization process.

To start, you'll need the Font Awesome v4.7.0 library. Don't worry if you're not using the latest version; this guide will show you how to make it work.

Step 1: Adding the Label Gadget

First, we need to add the Label Gadget to your Blogger layout:

  • Go to Blogger Dashboard → Layout → Add a Gadget.
  • Select the Label Gadget from the list.
  • Configure the Label Gadget with the following settings:
    • Title: Give your label gadget a title that fits your blog.
    • Show: Choose between All Labels or Selected Labels. For better customization, we recommend Selected Labels.
    • Sorting: You can sort labels Alphabetically or By Frequency.
    • Display: Make sure to select the List option. This is essential for the customization to work properly.

Step 2: Adding and Customizing CSS Code

Now, let's add some CSS to give your label list a new look:

1. Go to Theme → Edit HTML.

2. Search for the <head> tag and paste the following code right below it:

<link href='//maxcdn.bootstrapcdn.com/font-awesome/4.7.0/css/font-awesome.min.css' rel='stylesheet'/>

3. Next, search for ]]></b:skin> and paste the following code just above it:

/*Customize Default Label List Style : learntricking.blogspot.com*/
.Label ul li {
        display: inline-block;
        width: calc(50% - 5px);
        box-sizing: border-box;
        float: left;      
}
.Label ul li:nth-child(odd) {
        margin-right: 10px;
}
.Label ul li a:before {
       display: block;
       text-align: center;
       margin-bottom: 8px;
       font-family:'FontAwesome';
       font-size: 18px;   /* Icon size */
}
.Label ul li a {
        box-sizing: border-box;
        display: block;
        width: 100%;
        text-align: center;    /* center aligns text in sidebar */
        margin: 5px 0;    /* White space between links */
        padding: 10px 10px;    /* Padding for colored background */
        font-family: "Open Sans";     /* Link Font */
        text-transform: uppercase;
        font-style: normal;    /* Font Style. Options are normal and italics. */
        font-weight: normal;    /* Font weight. Options include: light, normal, bold, */
        letter-spacing: 1px;    /* Space between letters */
        font-size: 12px;   /* Font Size. */
        color:#fff;
}

/* ICON CODES */
/* First Icon */
.Label ul li:nth-child(6n+1) a:before {
    content:"\f040";
}
/* Second Icon */
.Label ul li:nth-child(6n+2) a:before {
    content:"\f15a";
}
/* Third Icon */
.Label ul li:nth-child(6n+3) a:before {
    content:"\f09a";
}
/* Fourth Icon */
.Label ul li:nth-child(6n+4) a:before {
    content:"\f1a0";
}

/* LABEL COLORS */
/* First Label Colors */
.Label ul li:nth-child(6n+1) a{
background:#4d90fe;
}
/* Second Label Colors */
.Label ul li:nth-child(6n+2) a {
   background:#5db427;
}
/* Third Label Colors */
.Label ul li:nth-child(6n+3) a {
    background-color: #9b59b6;
}
/* Fourth Label Colors */
.Label ul li:nth-child(6n+4) a {
    background-color: #e74c3c;
}

/* On Hover */
.Label ul li a:hover {
    color: #ffffff;  
    background-color:#272727; 
}

With these steps, you should now have a stylish and functional label list gadget on your Blogger site. In the next section, we'll dive deeper into advanced customization options.

Advanced Customization

Take your Blogger label list gadget to the next level with these advanced customization techniques.

Adding More Styles and Icons

If you have more labels and want to add styles for them, you can extend the CSS code as follows:

/*Add Styles for More Labels: learntricking.blogspot.com*/
/* Fifth Icon */
.Label ul li:nth-child(6n+5) a:before { 
    content:"\f100";
}
/* Sixth Icon */
.Label ul li:nth-child(6n+6) a:before {
    content:"\f120";
}
/* Fifth Label Colors */
.Label ul li:nth-child(6n+5) a {
    color: #ffffff;    /* Link Color */
    background-color: #eeeeee;    /* Background Color */
}
/* Sixth Label Colors */
.Label ul li:nth-child(6n+6) a { 
    color: #ffffff;    /* Link Color */
    background-color: #ff0000;    /* Background Color */
}

To add even more labels, simply continue with the same pattern:

/* Seventh Icon */
.Label ul li:nth-child(6n+7) a:before { 
    content:"\f135";
}
/* Seventh Label Colors */
.Label ul li:nth-child(6n+7) a {
    color: #ffffff;    /* Link Color */
    background-color: #00ff00;    /* Background Color */
}

Editing Tips

Customizing the label list to match your blog's style is simple with these editing tips:

  • Change Background Color: Modify background-color:#Hex_val to set different backgrounds for each label.
  • Modify Icons: Update content:"\your_unicode" to change the Font Awesome icons.
  • Hover Effects: Change #272727 to customize the hover effect for different labels.

You can set different hover effects for each label by adding specific hover CSS rules:

/* First Label Hover Colors */
.Label ul li:nth-child(6n+1) a:hover {
    color: #ffffff;    /* Link Hover Color */
    background-color: #272727;    /* Background Hover Color */
}

/* Second Label Hover Colors */
.Label ul li:nth-child(6n+2) a:hover {
    color: #ffffff;    /* Link Hover Color */
    background-color: #272727;    /* Background Hover Color */
}

How to Get Unicode for Font Awesome Icons

To find the unicode for the icons you want to use, follow these steps:

1. Visit the Font Awesome website.

2. Search for the icon you want to use.

3. On the icon's page, you'll see the unicode value listed. Copy this value.

4. Replace the content in your CSS code with the new unicode value.

Make sure to use only the unescaped unicode values (e.g., \f040) in your CSS code.

Troubleshooting and Common Issues

Encountering issues while customizing your Blogger label list gadget? Here are some common problems and their solutions.

Labels Not Displaying Correctly

If your labels aren't displaying as expected, ensure you've selected the List option in the gadget settings. The customization will not work with the Cloud option.

Always select the LIST option in the label gadget settings.

CSS Code Not Applying

If the CSS changes aren't taking effect, double-check that you've correctly placed the code snippets in the right locations:

  • Font Awesome Link: Ensure the link to the Font Awesome library is placed right below the <head> tag.
  • Custom CSS: Ensure the custom CSS code is placed just above the ]]></b:skin> tag.

Icons Not Showing Up

If the Font Awesome icons aren't appearing, verify that you've included the correct Unicode values and that the Font Awesome library is properly linked. You might also need to clear your browser's cache to see the changes.

Label Colors Not Applying

Check your CSS code for any typos or errors. Ensure each label has a unique background color and that the color values are correctly formatted in hexadecimal.

Responsive Design Issues

If your label list doesn't look good on mobile devices, consider tweaking the CSS code to improve its responsiveness. Adjust the widths and margins to ensure the labels display correctly on different screen sizes.

@media only screen and (max-width: 600px) {
    .Label ul li {
        width: 100%;
        margin-right: 0;
    }
}

Getting More Help

If you're still having trouble, don't hesitate to seek help. You can leave a comment on this post or email us for further assistance. Additionally, online forums and communities, such as the Blogger Help Forum, can be valuable resources for troubleshooting and finding solutions.

Next Steps

Now that you've customized your label list and addressed any issues, consider exploring more advanced customization options. For example, you might want to customize other widgets or learn more about web development. To enhance your skills, check out the Quick Start to Web Development with HTML, CSS, and JavaScript E-Book.

With these steps, your Blogger label list gadget should be looking stylish and functioning perfectly. Happy blogging!

For the best results, keep your label list concise by using the Selected Labels option. This keeps your blog looking clean and professional.

If you have any questions or need further assistance, feel free to leave a comment or reach out via email. Your feedback is valuable and helps us improve our content and support.

Keep exploring, learning, and sharing your knowledge. Happy blogging!

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