Create A New Header For Your Blog

I am starting to understand the benefit of outsourcing, it’s not something I have done yet, but know it is an essential part of being successful online. If you want a new header, that is probably the easiest and fastest way to go. It depends on you though, the time you have and what you do and don’t enjoy doing.

I quite like learning how to do things myself and the header you see on this blog was made by me

I’m no graphics designer but don’t mind saying I am pretty pleased with it and myself. I should point out this was not my first attempt! As I mentioned I had a lot of spare time due to my broken foot so the result above is after a couple of weeks learning. I should also mention that I have no design skills whatsoever, so if I can do it then so can you!

I did this header in Macromedia Fireworks 8. That’s not the latest version. I wasn’t about to spend $300 on a piece of software I wasn’t sure if I could even use just to find out. I had watched some videos on creating your own graphics and the guy gave a great tip. You don’t need to buy the latest version. Go on to eBay and pick up an older version, sure it won’t have the latest features but will be adequate for your needs. So that’s what I did and I got Fireworks 8 for £30 (around $50)!

It suprised me how quick you can create graphics with this software, just playing about with it will teach you enough to master the basics.

If you don’t fancy doing this there is an even easier way!

You have probably heard of Xsite Pro, if not it is a piece of software for creating websites and I highly recommend it, you can check it out here.

Anyway, the same team behind this have brought out a header creator software and the best bit is it’s FREE!!! Ah, the magic word!

There are two instructional videos explaining the functions included in the software as well as a help manual.

So what can you do with Xheader?

Well for a start you can create a website header from scratch using a blank template but the real value of Xheader is that is comes with 1000 professionally designed header graphic templates included. These are grouped into 44 categories so finding a template to suit your website will be no problem.

Once you have chosen a template you use the WYSIWYG image editor to personalise the look and feel of the header. You add text the same as you would in word and once on the header you can add effects with the push of a button. You can leave the text as it is or add the following effects: chisel, emboss, outline, outline fill, and glow.

You can then add shapes to the header such as circle and square with or without fill. If you choose a square with fill for example you can position this behind your text using the send to back button and then use the transparency feature to blend it into the header image giving a very professional looking effect.

Once you are happy with your new header you can save it as a JPG file and an editable XHF file.

Here is a quick summary of the Xheader features:

- Create headers from pre-supplied templates
- Create header designs from scratch if you prefer
- 1000 professionally designed header graphic templates
- 44 categories of header graphic templates
- WYSIWYG image editor
- Ability to add your own text
- Save your header designs as JPG files
- Optimize header design images when saving
- Create as many of your own header graphics as you like
- Add custom shapes and images
- Select and move layers in your header design
- Reorder layers (front-to-back) in the design
- Save header designs as (editable) XHF files
- Add/remove borders to your header design
- Resize the header to suit your web page design
- Preview your header graphic in your web browser
- Help manual included

It’s worth downloading and trying. It really is simple to use and I bet you will have a header you can be proud off in 30mins. Visit xheader by clicking below:

xheader

Good luck!

Mark

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