How to Choose the Right WordPress Theme
Choosing the right theme is extremely important. Not only is it the image that you will putting out for the world to see, it is also the vehicle that you will use to make money online. So, it needs to look good and work well.
One of the most frustrating and time consuming tasks in building a new WordPress site can be modifying a theme especially, if you’re not an HTML “whiz”. Therefore, when I am choosing a theme for a new blog I try to find one that already contains the key components placed where I want them.
For example if I pan on using a 468 x 60 pixel banner ad in the header of my blog and a 300 x 250 pixel video in the sidebar then I try to find a theme that already has places for those key components built into the design. That is always easier than trying to fit those components in after the fact. I also choose themes that use the color scheme, or very close to the color scheme, I want to use. This means I won’t have to spend as much time editing the CSS (Cascading Style Sheet)
Here’s a good method to use when looking for the right theme for your blog. Take out a piece of paper and draw what you want your blog to look like. Make sure you include key components like ad spaces, opt-in forms, page navigation, RSS links, logo, etc… Now, search out a theme that most closely matches your drawing.
One last thing to consider when choosing a theme is that you want to make sure you choose a widget-ready or “widgetized” theme.
What are widgets?
Widgets are drag-n-drop components that you can put into your blog’s sidebar without having to know how to edit HTML. There are literally 1000’s of widgets for everything from Recent Posts, to Email Forms, to Ads and much, much more.
Premium Themes
I recommend using a Premium them for a more professional, customized look and to insure proper coding and no embedded “spam” links. I use and recommend the following premium themes. The support, coding and search engine optimization on all of the following are excellent.
 StudioPress WordPress Themes by Brian Gardner – These themes come in several different styles and can be completely customized to get almost any look you want. This is by far my favorite premium WordPress theme collection. Plus, their support forum is second to none! |
 WP Remix – Probably the most comprehensive and customizable WordPress theme out there. It offers several different page templates for each part of the site.(i.e. Home, Content Pages, Shopping Cart, Blog, etc…) Warning, this theme is not for beginners. Unless you’re comfortable with code I would not recommend this theme. |
 iThemes – Offers and wide selection of premium themes for all types of sites. Their WordPress install and setup videos are also excellent. |
WordPress Dream Theme by Ben Cope – This is another very nice theme that can be completely customized to look more like a website than a blog. The advantage to using this theme is that it includes setup and customization. |
| NOTE: All of the above themes are excellent for going beyond blogging and using WordPress as a content management system. If you’re just looking to blog then a Free theme may do the trick. |
Free Themes
There are a lot of really nice looking free WordPress themes available online. And with some customization you may be able to find one that works for you. The problem is finding one that is coded properly. Below are three free theme sources that I trust.
- Courtney Tuttle SEO’d Themes
- Free WP Themes.net
- WordPress Themes Base
- 100 Amazing Free WordPress Themes
Another great source for free WordPress themes can be found right from within your WordPress Admin. Simply click on APPERANCE | ADD NEW THEMES and you can search for themes by keywords and/or features, colors, page layout, etc…
Installing Your WordPress Theme
Most themes can be installed from within the WordPress Admin. Even themes that you download from other sites can be uploaded and activated by clicking on APPERANCE | ADD NEW THEMES | UPLOAD
In some cases you may have to use an FTP client to upload your theme. This is usually the case with premium themes that include files other than theme files in the .ZIP download.
Either way it’s an easy process. Once your theme(s) is uploaded simply go to APPERANCE | THEMES to select and activate the theme you wish to use.
Need help customizing a theme?
There’s also another site to get free themes called New Wordpress Themes dot net.
Susans last blog post..25 Fun & Free Things to do in San Diego
Oh yeah there are a ton of Free WordPress themes out there. The question is are they any good and can the be trusted.
http://1cat.biz/are-free-wordpress-themes-really-free/
Barry O.
[...] you have successfully installed WordPress, installed and activated your theme and understand how to organize your content using Pages and Posts, Categories and Tags, you’re [...]
Am wondering what you think of the WP-Vybe theme. Since I purchased it I`ve been extremely happy with it..it also has a lot of customisation features which saved me a lot of time. Just wondering if anyone here is using it. I didn`t see it mentioned in the list so I thought I`d bring it up.
I’ve personally never used it but it looks like a pretty decent theme.