How to Change the Layout of a SmugMug Site?

Customizing your SmugMug site can help you stand out from other photographers and create a unique online portfolio that matches your style. Whether you're just starting with SmugMug or looking to refresh your existing site, changing the layout is one of the most effective ways to transform your online presence. This guide will walk you through the process of changing your SmugMug site layout step by step, making it easy even for beginners.

Getting Started with SmugMug Layout Changes

Before diving into layout changes, it's helpful to understand what SmugMug offers. The platform provides various customization options that allow you to modify how your photos are displayed, how pages are structured, and the overall look and feel of your site.

Understanding SmugMug's Customization System

SmugMug uses a combination of themes, content blocks, and style settings to control your site's appearance. Think of themes as the foundation, content blocks as building elements, and style settings as the finishing touches.

To make changes to your layout, you'll need to use SmugMug's customizer tool, which is accessible when you're logged into your account. Let's break down how to access and use this powerful feature.

Accessing the SmugMug Customizer

The customizer is where all the magic happens. Here's how to access it:

1. Log in to your SmugMug account
2. Go to your homepage
3. Click on "Customize" in the top right corner of your screen
4. This will open the customizer panel on the left side of your screen

Once you've opened the customizer, you'll see several tabs that control different aspects of your site. The main ones you'll use for layout changes are "Design," "Content," and "Pages."

Selecting a New Theme

The quickest way to change your overall layout is by selecting a new theme. Themes control the general structure and style of your site.

Steps to Change Your Theme:

1. In the customizer panel, click on the "Design" tab
2. Select "Theme"
3. Browse through the available themes
4. Hover over a theme to see a preview
5. Click "Apply" on the theme you want to use

SmugMug offers several themes designed for different purposes. Some are better for portfolios, while others work well for selling prints or showcasing events. Take your time exploring the options to find one that aligns with your goals.

Popular SmugMug Themes and Their Uses

Customizing Your Site Structure

After selecting a theme, you can further customize your site structure by modifying the content blocks on each page.

Working with Content Blocks

Content blocks are the building elements of your pages. They include galleries, text areas, slideshows, and more. Here's how to add, remove, or rearrange them:

1. In the customizer, click on the "Content" tab
2. Select the page you want to modify
3. To add a new block, click the "+" icon where you want to add content
4. To remove a block, hover over it and click the trash icon
5. To move a block, click and drag it to a new position

Playing with different content blocks can dramatically change how your site looks and functions. For example, adding a full-width slideshow to your homepage creates a different impression than a grid gallery.

Types of Content Blocks Available

• Gallery Grid: Displays multiple images in a grid format
• Slideshow: Shows images one at a time with transition effects
• Text Block: Adds written content to your pages
• Spacing Block: Creates white space between other elements
• Social Media Feeds: Displays content from your social platforms
• Contact Form: Adds a form for visitors to reach you
• Map: Shows your location

Customizing Gallery Layouts

Galleries are the heart of your SmugMug site, and changing how they display can have a big impact on your overall layout.

Steps to Change Gallery Layout:

1. Go to the gallery you want to modify
2. Click "Customize" if you're not already in the customizer
3. Select "Gallery Settings" from the customizer panel
4. Click on "Gallery Layout"
5. Choose from options like Journal, Collage, Grid, or Slideshow
6. Adjust settings like spacing, image size, and thumbnail appearance

Gallery Layout Comparison

Customizing Navigation and Menus

The way visitors move through your site is a crucial part of your layout. Customizing your navigation menu can improve user experience and guide visitors to your most important content.

Steps to Modify Navigation:

1. In the customizer, click on the "Design" tab
2. Select "Navigation"
3. Choose your navigation style (horizontal, vertical, dropdown)
4. Add, remove, or rearrange menu items
5. Customize the appearance of your menu (font, size, colors)

Consider your site's purpose when designing navigation. A simple portfolio might need just a few menu items, while a commercial site might need more detailed categories.

Adjusting Header and Footer

Headers and footers frame your site and contribute significantly to its layout and feel.

Customizing Your Header:

1. In the customizer, go to the "Design" tab
2. Select "Header"
3. Choose header style (full width, contained, transparent)
4. Add or remove elements like logo, site title, or search box
5. Adjust header height and alignment

Customizing Your Footer:

1. In the customizer, go to the "Design" tab
2. Select "Footer"
3. Add content blocks like text, social icons, or copyright info
4. Adjust the footer height and background

Styling Your SmugMug Site

After setting up the structural layout, you can refine the visual style to match your brand or aesthetic preferences.

Changing Colors and Fonts:

1. In the customizer, go to the "Design" tab
2. Select "Style"
3. Choose color schemes for background, text, and accents
4. Select fonts for headings and body text
5. Adjust text size and spacing

Background Customization:

1. In the "Design" tab, select "Background"
2. Choose a solid color, gradient, or image background
3. For image backgrounds, adjust positioning and tiling options

Keep in mind that simplicity often works best. Clean backgrounds with minimal distractions help your photos stand out.

Mobile Layout Considerations

Many visitors will view your site on mobile devices, so it's important to check how your layout appears on smaller screens.

Testing and Adjusting Mobile Layout:

1. In the customizer, click the mobile device icon at the bottom of the screen
2. This switches to mobile preview mode
3. Check how your content displays on different screen sizes
4. Make adjustments specific to mobile viewing if needed

SmugMug automatically adapts your layout for mobile devices, but you may want to make specific changes to improve the experience. For example, you might want fewer images per row in galleries when viewed on phones.

Saving and Publishing Your Layout Changes

Once you're happy with your layout changes, you need to save and publish them:

1. Review all your changes using the preview mode
2. Click "Save" at the bottom of the customizer panel
3. If you're ready to make your changes live, click "Publish"
4. If you want to save your work but continue editing later, click "Save Draft"

Remember that until you publish, visitors will still see your previous design. This allows you to work on major changes without disrupting your live site.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I create a completely custom layout in SmugMug?

While SmugMug doesn't allow complete HTML/CSS customization, the combination of themes, content blocks, and style settings gives you significant control over your layout. For advanced customization, you can use custom CSS if you have a Portfolio or Pro account.

Will changing my theme delete my existing content?

No, changing themes won't delete your photos or content. However, it might change how that content is displayed, so you may need to make some adjustments after switching themes.

How often can I change my SmugMug layout?

You can change your layout as often as you like. There are no limits to how many times you can modify your site design. Some photographers update seasonally or for special promotions.

Can I have different layouts for different galleries?

Yes, SmugMug allows you to customize individual gallery layouts separately. This means you can have a grid layout for one collection and a collage for another, depending on what works best for each set of images.

Is there a way to preview my changes before making them live?

Absolutely! SmugMug's customizer shows you a live preview of all changes before you publish them. You can also save drafts of your work and continue editing later without affecting your public site.

Conclusion

Changing the layout of your SmugMug site is a powerful way to create a unique online presence that showcases your photography in the best possible light. By understanding the different customization options—from themes and content blocks to gallery layouts and style settings—you can create a site that perfectly matches your vision and needs.

Take your time experimenting with different layouts and don't be afraid to try bold changes. You can always preview before publishing and even save different versions as you work. The perfect layout is one that highlights your photos while providing a smooth, intuitive experience for your visitors.