How to Change the Blog Post Date Format Using OzSpeed hPanel

The date format of your blog posts can influence how readers interpret the publication date. Depending on your target audience, you may prefer different formats (e.g., “November 9, 2024,” “09/11/2024,” or “2024-11-09”). With OzSpeed’s Website Builder, you can easily customize the date format of your blog posts to suit your preferences and audience. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to change the blog post date format in OzSpeed hPanel.

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Step 1: Access the Blog Settings in hPanel #

To begin customizing the date format, open the Blog Settings in hPanel.

1. Log in to hPanel at ozspeed.com.au.
2. Go to Website Builder > Edit Site.
3. Click on Blog Settings from the left-hand menu.

Tip: #

• Consider the date format that is most familiar to your audience. For example, the MM/DD/YYYY format is common in the United States, while DD/MM/YYYY is used in many other countries.

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Step 2: Navigate to the Date Format Settings #

The date format option can be found in the Display Options tab of the Blog Settings.

How to Access Date Format Settings: #

1. Click on the Display Options tab in Blog Settings.
2. Scroll down to the Date Format section.

Tip: #

• If you don’t see the date format option, ensure that the Show Publication Date setting is enabled.

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Step 3: Choose a New Date Format #

You can select from several predefined date formats or customize your own.

Available Date Formats: #

1. Month Day, Year (e.g., “November 9, 2024”)
2. Day Month Year (e.g., “9 November 2024”)
3. YYYY-MM-DD (e.g., “2024-11-09”)
4. MM/DD/YYYY (e.g., “11/09/2024”)
5. DD/MM/YYYY (e.g., “09/11/2024”)

How to Change the Format: #

1. Click on the dropdown menu in the Date Format section.
2. Select your preferred format from the list.
3. Click Apply and then Save.

Tip: #

• For a custom format, choose Custom Format and enter your desired pattern (e.g., “d MMM yyyy” for “9 Nov 2024”).

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Step 4: Preview the Changes #

Before making the changes live, preview your blog posts to ensure the new date format looks correct.

How to Preview: #

1. Click Preview in the top toolbar.
2. Check the date format on several blog posts to see how it appears on both desktop and mobile views.
3. Click Exit Preview when you’re satisfied.

Tip: #

• Use an incognito window or clear your browser cache to verify the new date format as a new visitor would see it.

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Step 5: Publish the Updated Date Format #

Once you’ve confirmed the changes, publish your updates to make the new date format live on your website.

How to Publish: #

1. Click Publish in the top right corner of the editor.
2. Confirm the changes.

Tip: #

• Announce any significant changes to your blog’s date format, especially if it impacts how readers interpret the date (e.g., switching from “MM/DD/YYYY” to “DD/MM/YYYY”).

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Troubleshooting Tips #

1. Date Format Not Updating:
   • Ensure you’ve clicked Apply and Save in the Blog Settings.
   • Clear your website cache in hPanel and your browser cache.
2. Incorrect Date Display:
   • Double-check the custom date format pattern if you’re using a custom format.
   • Use the Localization Settings in hPanel to ensure the date format matches your website’s language and region.
3. Date Not Displaying on Blog Posts:
   • Go to Blog Settings > Display Options and make sure the Show Publication Date option is enabled.

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Additional Tips: #

• Test Across Devices: Ensure the new date format looks good on both desktop and mobile devices for a consistent user experience.
• Consider Your Audience: Use a date format that is familiar to your target audience to avoid confusion.
• Standardize Across Your Site: Use the same date format for all blog posts, event listings, and announcements for a cohesive look.