5 Tips for Choosing a WordPress Theme
September 24th, 2007 Posted in uncategorized
If you haven’t noticed I’ve updated my blog theme. I decided to make the change because of the problems I’ve encountered with my previous theme, Unwakeable. During my search for a new theme I have compiled a short list of tips for picking the perfect theme.
- Don’t go overboard with the “sweet” effects. My first theme for this blog was pretty bad when it came to effects. It had the ability to change the color of the blog by clicking a button in the corner. What I didn’t take into account was that this cool feature created a thirty second load time for my blog. Just remember that site aesthetics are for pulling people in, but if you want people to come back you need to have a content-filled, quick-loading website.
- Having a problem with a theme? Ask for help. Did you find a great theme that compliments your writing, but the comment system poorly formats text. What about a theme that has a sidebar bug? Don’t worry, if you need help fixing a bug, you’re not the only one. Find the creator of the theme and shoot’em an email. On my previous theme it required a logo. The creator of the theme had sent me an email with a step-by-step tutorial.
- Leave the cutting edge web technologies to the professionals. There is no need to weigh down your site with new web technologies especially when the technologies slow or even cripple the viewing of your blog. Readers will come back more often when they know they can come back and read a few articles without conflict.
- Keep it simple. If your theme looks like something the MySpace designers threw together, I would start looking for another theme and fast. Find a theme that’s easy to read and keeps the reader focused. Red on black is not something I will come back to and read again.
- Ask longtime friends/readers their opinion. Before releasing your theme to everyone, ask some of your close (Internet or not) friends. They can give you advice on what to change before you get 100x that when you release it to the public.
My theme Pixkit, is what I’ve been looking for in a WordPress theme. It’s clean, quick, and there isn’t anything that will distract you while reading. My theme is a bit on the simple side, but that doesn’t mean yours does too. Pick what you like and go with it.
September 25th, 2007 at 3:33 am
#1 and 4 are spot on. A second opinion doesn’t hurt either. I found that it depends on the type of site really as far as effects and other additions. It feels good after a fresh new theme is fully up and running
September 25th, 2007 at 7:11 pm
Finding a theme for your blog is easy, Finding a theme that fits your blog is a long process.
@Ob81: Thanks!
September 29th, 2007 at 3:04 pm
Sweet post (your name goes here),
It is alway frustrating to visit blog with ugly design. I like your design though
September 29th, 2007 at 5:08 pm
Thanks WarriorBlog!
I won’t read a blog or go to a website if it has a poor design or bad navigation.
September 30th, 2007 at 12:36 am
Hey Loren, sorry for another comment, but I notice something about your blog:
It has been awhile since you updated! The reason I bring that up is because I visit all my bookmarked blogs daily and like to read new contents and if it haven’t been updated for 2-5 I MIGHT remove it.
I like your blog though and I hope you keep it updated daily!
October 1st, 2007 at 6:25 pm
[...] 5tips for choosing a wordpress plugin by Refresh [...]
August 16th, 2008 at 7:31 am
[...] 5 Tips for Choosing a Wordpress Theme. This article emphasizes simplicity, few “effects,” and general lack of cutting-edge technology. Effects and cutting-edge looks aren’t bad of themselves. But they may slow down loading time, make your site more confusing to navigate, or just make it cluttered. For instance, the idea of having theme options (like the ability to see MrsMicah.com with an orange background or something) sounds great. But adding that would probably just clutter the blog and be used by few people. One more distracting item. [...]
May 3rd, 2009 at 5:53 am
It’s the first time I commented here and I must say you share us genuine, and quality information for bloggers! Good job.
p.s. You have a very good template for your blog. Where did you find it?
May 4th, 2009 at 2:17 am
@mssmotorrd
Thanks, I bought the theme from Blog Perfume.
http://www.blogperfume.com/theme-elegant-blubs-premium-wordpress-theme/
September 10th, 2009 at 6:52 am
Thanks alot for the great read.
June 11th, 2010 at 7:35 am
You made some good points on this subject.