Can't get to grips with basic IT

[AppleDumplings]

I write a blog. Possibly a terrible one but family and friends like it and I treat it more like a diary I suppose. I use WordPress. I really want it to look more polished, for my own satisfaction more than anything. I have downloaded info, used ChatGPT, bought a book. It still looks so 'homemade'! Any decent books or tips for me?! I just want it to look uniform, neat, tidy and clean. I absolutely have a complete mental block on this and it's making me feel ancient!

Part time course at college in basic IT then take it from there?

We live a bit of a nomadic life so am not in one place long enough to do this. I could definitely do an online course, but have yet to find one.

This sounds like an aesthetic issue

you clearly aren't have problems using IT

there are apparently much better platforms to use to get it looking nice

I'm sure googling will get you some recs

I use blogspot and Wordpress and customised them because I knew what I wanted, but the instructions for each specific thing are quite hidden

You don't need a class. It's either patience or finding a platform that suits your needs better.

Try Alison

You can try Udemy. It's not free but it should be a good standard.

WordPress have some tips here: https://wordpress.com/go/web-design/web-design-tips-for-beginners/

I just googled "make wordpress blog look professional tutorial" and there are lots of examples.

Ignore any links that say sponsored.

Pick three at random and see what they're like and then follow your instincts to find the right one for you.

Buy one of their ready made templates?

It does sound like it’s just a design problem.
Use a different template - Wordpress has loads. Sketch out how you want it to look, using inspiration from others.

Remember, less is more, so don’t overload your page with everything, keep it simple.

If you’re travelling then the main points for readers are your words - choose a narrow text area. And photos, perhaps? Maybe put a gallery of photos on a separate page to keep each post clear.

I doubt you need a course, it’s the content and your readers who matter most.

I wouldn’t say that’s basic IT! I make a website pretty as a full time job and there’s a lot of skill involved.

You can get different Wordpress templates, but if you really want to you can learn HTML and CSS to customise it how you want.

@CraftyNavySeal same, there’s a lot to it! Not just the technical side but good design for reading on screens, which is often a different type of reading to print.

Yes! I am wondering if I misunderstood OPs post though.

OP have you tried following the instructions on Wordpress itself? https://wordpress.com/support/templates/

What specifically have you tried and are struggling with?

Thanks for the replies! Ido think some of it is the terminology, so have my phone open trying to figure out what all the words mean. Also, today for exam I spent 4 (yes... 4!) hours unsuccessfully trying to match the colour of the text on the Heading, side bar titles and Blog titles! I do know I have a little bit of a problem with liking things neat and in order and I'm trying to work on that but also without much luck!! I am using Acuerala as it seems to be the most simple for me. I just want to add photos and text and it all aligns without me having to centralise each image and try and match the sizing. OK. Reading that back makes me sound potty, but it's driving me spare!!!