One of the best things you can do if you're trying to learn Carrd is start from a bank canvas, not a template.
Obviously Carrd has plenty of good templates to help you get started, and there are creator made ones too. However, if learning is your priority, they will not help. They're a shortcut – handy for speed, but you learn to use the tool much more slowly.
As with most learning, to make some big leaps you will need to get a little uncomfortable in the short term. By starting with a blank canvas, you will quickly get you confident building in Carrd.
Now, if you’re worried it's too hard or you're not ready, you're wrong. Carrd is actually quite an easy tool to pick up, because it has a simplified layout system compared to more advanced web builders.
There are really just two main steps to learn for building in Carrd.
Here’s how you can try them now:
Setup: When you choose a Starting Point, ignore the list of tempting templates and select ‘blank canvas’. Its hidden in the intro paragraph under the page heading.
Step 1: Add a Container
One of the main building blocks is the Container element. Add one using the + in the menu.
Step 2: Add an Element
Next level down from a Container is all the general elements, such as Text and Image. Add one of these, and you should end up with a Page that has the Carrd placeholder text (”Nothing here yet!”) and your new element, hopefully located inside your Container. (If your element didn't end up inside your Container, just drag it in there).
That’s it. Those are the two main steps you need to master. Building in Carrd is based around adding horizontal stacking blocks (Containers) that form the structure, then filling those with content.
If you get familiar that principle, the rest is easier to master and is really all about adding detail and style.
If you’re not ready to publish your work straight away, you could even save your progress as a draft using our tutorial.
