Create a download button – Tutorial

If you want to offer downloads on your blog, it’s a good idea to style these types of posts in a similar way to create familiarity. You can do this by creating an image and then linking to your filehost. Here’s how to accomplish this:

Step 1: Set up a file host
First thing to do is to set up an environment where you can host your files and offer them to others. I use Dropbox (up to 2GB of free hosted storage). If you want to sign-up through me click here (we’ll both get extra space if you click through that link). If that idea offends you, you can also go to Dropbox here.

Step 2: Create a terms of use document
Use a text file to add your terms of use (for an example click on any of my downloads). This document goes into every download you offer.

Step 3: Download a ZIP file
You want to create one file to download and you want to make the download time as short as possible by creating a file that is as small as possible. Make sure you have the possibility to zip your folder.

Step 4: Create a public Dropbox folder

In Dropbox you have the option to add files to a public folder. Create a new folder here, insert a copy of your terms of use and zip it. Then right-click on the zipped folder and choose ‘Copy public link‘. This will create a link to the file.

Step 5: Add a download image and link it to your file 
Create an image that you want to use for your download (you could also use some text). Go to the HTML and add the following code just before the image code:

<a href=”your dropbox link here“><img src=”your image is here“></a>

And the image and link below is what you will get. You can click on it to see the download sample for this page.

1. Intro image font: Blackout
2. Intro image background: free leather textures download