90 Grid Focus - New Blogger XML Template
August 14, 2008 / Filed under:

Generally I prefer to design Blogger templates from scratch than convert existing themes, but for Grid Focus, I made an exception.

This beautiful, grid based design is among one of the best and most customizable themes I have ever used. Converted from the original Wordpress theme by Derek Punsalan of 5thirtyone.com, it features a neat three column layout, an amazing navigation bar and integrated links for the home, main-content and blog feeds. Take a look at this theme in action in the demo blog, or read on for download and installation details.



Here is a full page screenshot of the Grid Focus theme for Blogger:


All of the colors in this template can be changed from the Fonts and Colors section in your Blogger dashboard. So if you prefer to have a bright pink background and electric blue links, you can change these features with ease!

In the download package for this theme, I have included both the XML template and a text version of the template. Full instructions for upload and editing of links in the navigation bar are also included in the download.
If you have any problems downloading this theme, please let me know by leaving a comment below. Full support is offered in the Blogger Buster forum if required.


Credits and Copyight Notice

This theme is conveted from Derek Punsalan's original Grid Focus theme for Wordpress and is released under a Creative Commons Non Commercial Attribution License.

This means that you can use this theme in your own personal projects, but you cannot sell this theme!

Please remember to give credit where credit is due! The credit link to 5thirtyone.com must remain intact in this template (this is a condition of use from the original designer).


Over to you!

I hope you enjoy this Blogger template and find the customization options to be suitable for your needs. Feel free to tell me your thoughts and opinions by leaving your comments below.

Author: Amanda Kennedy

Amanda is a professional blogger and web designer living in Sheffield, United Kingdom.

In addition to curating Blogger Buster, you can find Amanda on Twitter, Facebook or add her to your circle on Google+.

Like to share?

You may also like to subscribe to Blogger Buster's RSS feed or receive free email updates of our latest posts.

90 comments:

  1. Looks great.

    Gong to test in my test blog right now.

    Thanks. :D

    ReplyDelete

  2. I have just finished uploading this new template. Thanks for this. I think i'm the first user. It looks great.
    Later on i'll manage it as per my links and content.

    One thing i noticed -- the navbar...
    How to remove it easily? or you can provide a new version of the same tempalte but without this navbar thing.

    ReplyDelete

  3. i'd love to see a two-column version. it's beautiful. but then i'm a sucker for clean minimalist layouts.

    ReplyDelete

  4. @ Dr.Kavita Vachaknavee: My apologies for this. It seems the problem only happened in Internet Explorer. I'm not sure why the Navbar appears using the original code, but I have managed to find a solution and have uploaded a new version of the template with this modification in place.

    Let me know if you would prefer me to write the modified code here.

    Thank you for letting me know about this :)

    ReplyDelete

  5. I like this... I might have to use it. Thanks for the info!

    ReplyDelete

  6. Great template, Amanda!

    Congrats!

    And thanks for using my template's screenshot there ;). Lil' detail that caught my attention.

    :D

    Regards,

    ReplyDelete

  7. Forgive me if this is a dumb question, but how exactly do I back up my widgets? I know that I can go to "edit HTML" on blogger and then copy and paste the widgets into a text document, but then how would I know where to put them in the new template? Thanks in advance...

    ReplyDelete

  8. ooh i love it. i am going to test it out right now. thanks!

    ReplyDelete

  9. Hey Amanda Can You Post The NEW Feature Of Blogger i.e Reactions :

    http://templatestreasure.blogspot.com/2008/08/new-blogger-updates-of-august-14.html

    ..for those people who are using other authors template not that by blogger..i m waiting for ur comment

    ReplyDelete

  10. @Natalie: If you have many HTML/JavaScript widgets, you can back-up your widgets by copying the contents to a text file. Then once you have uploaded your new template, you can create new widgets and add your codes back in.

    @Fernandooo1: I'm glad you noticed ;) The theme needed a dark image to set it off, and your screenshot was the ideal fit :)

    @Phyllis Sommer: I'm glad you like this new template. It's one of my favorites so far :) But then I do have a rather smashing theme in progress too...

    @Typhoon: I've literally just found out about Blogger's overnight updates! Seems like I'm going to have a busy day ahead writing all about them... In any case, I have the "reactions" code figured out already. Will post the method up ASAP :)

    ReplyDelete

  11. OMG! I just love it. Awesome work Amanda! Was waiting for someone to convert this template for a long long time.

    Cheers!

    ReplyDelete

  12. Wow! I'm looking at doing a redesign by the end of the year, and this is just the direction I want to head in. Thanks!

    ReplyDelete

  13. This blog is very cool and have a nice professional touch.

    One thing is missing... 'Posted by-Author name'

    Could you add this too......

    ReplyDelete

  14. great help again :)

    ReplyDelete

  15. Thanks for the prompt reply.

    I'll upload the new file.

    Well done...

    ReplyDelete

  16. this is awesome....thnx alot Amanda, but was wondering..can please show us how did you customize your footer? i mean, i've already followed your tutorial for 3 column footer, but can't seem to get it to look something like what you have done...if you could provide some tips, i really appreciate it...
    thank you very much for all your hard work.

    ReplyDelete

  17. This is a fantastic template.
    You always come up with something when I am looking for something new.
    Thanks!!!

    ReplyDelete

  18. Outstandig template Amanda...

    I have a few questions:
    1) Is it possible to add a top-right-bannerAd?
    2) How can I change the 2 sidebars size?

    Thanks again for the template

    ReplyDelete

  19. Amanda, great template. I loaded it on my site, and got everything changed around. I have one questions though, is there any way I can move the comments icon to the bottom of the post and maybe make it more noticeable. My readers are having a hard time finding it.

    Other than that, I love. I even incorperate many of your hacks.

    ReplyDelete

  20. Saw this at just the right time, Amanda. I'd had enough frustration with the Cool Blue template of yours to try something new and wanted to go simpler. After seeing the Grid Focus theme on some Wordpress blogs, I searched some more and saw a link to your page here via http://xmlsearch.google.com

    Thanks for the conversion.

    ReplyDelete

  21. I really want to add just the top navigation bar from this template to my blog, but I have run into problems trying to implement this. Is there any way that I can add this bar as a widget or underneath the header of my blog. If so what code would i have to include to make it function properly?

    ReplyDelete

  23. hey amy !
    in the top righ corner i see a little text with the Number 5 in the right , is it a short edition for the latest entry??

    thanks for the template :)

    ReplyDelete

  24. I love the template however can you tell me how the center the image I chose for the header. It looks really off because the image is at the top left of the page.

    Thank you

    ReplyDelete

  25. Great skin, but may I know how to alter the width of both the sidebars? Also, how do you add 'Posted by-Author name' in?

    Thanks.

    ReplyDelete

  26. OMG!!! IT'S NOT WORKING!!!
    Did Blogger get a makeover of something?!?!
    There IS no 'Upload XML' thing or anything!!! This freakin' SUCKS!!!
    And I was SO looking forward to using this template...='(

    ReplyDelete

  27. Oh...I think I figured it out...
    I think your site isn't working, because i can't access the background pictures!!! URGH!!!

    ReplyDelete

  28. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete

  29. opps I deleted one to many tabs...what is the code to re-add the tabs at the top...and just how do I link those tabs to say my quick search?

    btw I got the picture thing right

    ReplyDelete

  30. Hi amanda, i want to upload Gridfocus template on my blog and i just get error message like this: bX-xyrzmi. Whats the problem? I am already using one of your template on my blog www.takto.sk so i can tell that i am not a beginner, but i truly dont know what to do with this message. (i tried upload like txt, xml, even start uploading from a fresh created blogger account and nothing)Could you help me please? m

    ReplyDelete

  31. hi Amanda..
    thank you so much for this beautiful template.. i am using it in my blog right now. I place my own header. I also added some of your hacks.. i already bookmarked your blog for quick referrence. I can't wait for your new blogger hacks.. thank you so much..

    Inday
    Inday's Stories

    ReplyDelete

  32. Amanda,. Say, HOW do I get the Nav Bar back? Also, I can't see the author names! Please help.

    ReplyDelete

  33. Hi Amanda!

    I'm using the Grid Focus design as an inspiration for a new blog I am creating. I was wondering if it is possible to add a 125x125 ad section to the right sidebar.

    ReplyDelete

  34. Thank you so much for this template, it's really quite wonderful. I am having one issue in that the right sidebar widgets are hovering over one another while seen in Internet Explorer. In Firefox and Chrome it's fine.

    Any thoughts?

    http://mlxperience.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete

  35. Amanda,

    Thank you for modifying this template. Unfortunately, the "selective expandable post" does'n work on the template. Any suggestion to fix it?

    ReplyDelete

  36. Geez..it doesn't work on mine either.

    ReplyDelete

  37. Hi Amanda

    How do I put the author's name on the post?
    Can you help us?

    ReplyDelete

  38. i know its basic but i want to use this template but can work out how to put my links in the top navagation bar, can i only point to other areas in my blog or can i point to external url's and how???? help in stupid....

    ReplyDelete

  39. Great template, but I'm having trouble getting the author name to show up without clicking on the actual post, much like everybody else.

    ReplyDelete

  40. I love this simple n nice layout!!
    going to use it now!!

    ReplyDelete

  41. I love this simple n nice layout!!
    going to use it now!!

    ReplyDelete

  42. help i can't download... xD

    help me!

    ReplyDelete

  43. I want to download it but helpless.

    ReplyDelete

  45. Hello.

    Thank you Amanda. This is really good stuff

    I have a favor to ask.

    Where and how do I add the description at the top right corner next to the avatar?

    I hope to hear from you soon, Lionel

    lionelthefire2@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete

  46. yes...i like this template :D

    ReplyDelete

  47. i would like to download the template. pls help

    ReplyDelete

  48. very well http://games-database.blogspot.com is a very good blog :X

    ReplyDelete

  49. Hi Amanda,

    I couldn't upload the template at all! Not even onto my test blog!

    It prompted me to delete widgets and when I click ok, it gave me the error code bX-7m0mrj.

    What's going on? Pls help!

    ReplyDelete

  50. this is great! Thank you so much for all your hardwork. i love your site.

    ReplyDelete

  51. Amanda - I love this. One person commented on if you had a two collumn version. If you have one will you please send it to me. Thanks.

    ReplyDelete

  54. how i can remove avatar and replace it by my own

    ReplyDelete

  55. I have a question. I am new to this and I love this template. However, I did both of the possible instuctions and everytime I go to upload or save in red shows up saying widgets will be deleted. I click ok and save. There is an error everytime. Even when I hit cancel then save it still says error. Please help!

    ReplyDelete

  56. Thanks amanda. How can i make it simply css dropdown menus from that top nav-menu?

    ReplyDelete

  57. It really great one. looks professional and there is not so much going on it...i like it:). This is my www.budujemy-sie.pl

    ReplyDelete

  58. I'd also like to see a version with the same post footer that other blogger templates have (with the comments at the bottom instead of the top). Thoughts? I tried fixing it myself, but well, you can probably see how that ended up! Thanks! I love this template and hope it works out for what I need it for. :)

    ReplyDelete

  59. When I try to upload this template Grid Focus,
    I get: bX-bliced
    Most of these errors go away if you try again later, but this one stays and I see it has been reported before...
    And I can upload another template without error!

    Help!

    ReplyDelete

  60. When I try to upload this template Grid Focus,
    I get: bX-bliced
    Most of these errors go away if you try again later, but this one stays and I see it has been reported before...
    And I can upload another template without error!

    Help!

    ReplyDelete

  61. im still stuck on the changing, why i counldn't upload my template on the site!!

    ReplyDelete

  62. bx errors!

    http://www.bloggerbuster.com/2009/02/bx-errors-when-uploading-new-templates.html

    tnkz amanda^^

    ReplyDelete

  63. Nice work Amanda.. Thanks a lot...

    ReplyDelete

  64. #amanda
    love it, i'm using the theme...thanks a lot.
    and your advise about the bx-error, it also worked out...
    you're awesome...

    ReplyDelete

  65. Nice template
    I Like to test it on my blog

    ReplyDelete

  66. Great Template Amanda.
    But how I can modified it with my own stuff?
    Like Header or Footer?

    ReplyDelete

  67. I downloaded this great looking template, and I'm already setting it up on my blog. I just wonder how I can change the information on the menu-bar.

    Any help will be welcome!
    MANY THANKS FOR SUCH A NICE WORK!

    ReplyDelete

  68. Same question...
    How can I modify the navbar or menubar?

    Thanks! And... great JOB!

    ReplyDelete

  69. How can I change the menubar? Great template! Nice job!

    ReplyDelete

  70. it haves a terrible bug,, in the blog posts option of add google adsense, it gives an eternal error

    An internal error occurred. Please try again.

    i have tried other templates as well. and this one its the unique that gives that error.

    anyone knos how to get ride of one collumn?

    ReplyDelete

  71. :( man getting erro with expanmdable collapsing post in internet explorer.
    works fine in firefox .

    is very sad cause this is a cool clean layout.

    here is a test http://asdadaf.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete

  72. HI PEOPLE
    I would like to know if I am allowed to upload the images of the template in photobucket? I must be allowed to change the link location, right?

    thanks

    ReplyDelete

  73. Hi Amanda, this is a gorgeous template, thanks for making it available. I'm trying to customize the menubar with my own links, only it's not clear to me what to write instead of the #

    (li)(a href='#' title='Link title')Recent(br/)(span)Work(/span)(/a)(/li)

    let's say I wanted that button to refer to a page on my blog, what would I put there?

    or if I wanted to have that button refer to a different site altogether, what would I put there?

    ReplyDelete

  74. Hi Amanda,

    I tried downloading the code file, but it's missing.
    Is the source available somwwhere else?
    (same thing happened with the super-custom template)

    ReplyDelete

  75. thanks theme was modified
    bloggeriz.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete

  76. i'm having problems viewing the sidebar in Internet Explorer. Please check http://www.dinuzara.com and let me know what i have to do.
    I tried to fix it my self but i did't manage to figure it out

    ReplyDelete

  77. i cant download it!!! for blogspot. is the link correct? because i just see byu domains

    ReplyDelete

  78. LINK PLEASEEEEEE.............

    ReplyDelete

  79. good job http://www.filmeonlinefree.in/ is a good website :X:X:

    ReplyDelete

  80. A quality set of two pearl or perhaps diamond stud pandora earrings is mostly a classic and also romantic reward. A very simple pendant on the chain is actually surely a vital as is often a quality wristwatch. Then again, no lovely women requirements not pandora uk one but two of any kind of basic item; just being aware of what she needs pandora charms is definitely what makes the treasure especially innovative and emotional. Examine the woman's personal design. pandora necklace If the girl wears bohemian shirts with worn-in denims, pandora jewellery consider some, funky beaded necklace around your neck or a new color bracelet.

    ReplyDelete

  81. Hello! I can´t download the "Grid Focus" the link is broken.

    ReplyDelete

  82. I get a 404 error when trying to access the .zip file. Please can you check and re-upload the file?

    ReplyDelete

  83. I love this template. But how can I remove the third column? Or resize it to 0px?

    ReplyDelete

  84. hi nice template but i can't download it, please help..

    ReplyDelete

  85. I really like your writing. Thanks so much, finally a decent website with good information in it.

    ReplyDelete

  86. Thanks to share with us the information. I wish you good luck!

    ReplyDelete

  87. You're a great writer, truly know how to put the words in such a way that makes me very interested in reading more.

    ReplyDelete

  88. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete

  89. Hello,
    I have downloaded this template and have applied it to my blog.
    I need to customise this a bit. Is it possible ?
    thanks
    SA

    ReplyDelete

Great! You've decided to leave a comment! Please bear in mind that comments are often moderated and that rel="nofollow" is in use and spammy comments will be deleted. Let's have a meaningful conversation instead. Thanks for stopping by!

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)

Advertise on Blogger Buster

Browse through the Archives

All existing posts are still available to view while I'm working on the site, albeit seen in a much simpler interface. Feel free to browse through the archives to find tutorials, templates and articles to help you build a better blog:

Blog Archive

Connect with me:

9rules
© Blogger Buster 2010 Home | About | Contact | Hire Me | Privacy Policy