If you’re a novice blogger, feeling extremely overwhelmed by the number of templates available on the Web, here is small lists of questions to help out choose the appropriate template for your blog. While this it’s definitely not an exhaustive list and you may have something different in mind, should you feel need a place to start, this can help you define basic requirements. Also, don’t make the obvious template mistakes like other newbie bloggers, try and stand out.
1. Do you want a theme-based layout?
With more and more layouts based on themes relating to cartoons and films, it is absolutely up to you to choose whether or not you want them. If not, you can easily eliminate a lot of templates.
2. Do you want a two– or three-column layout?
Plenty of templates with both type of available, but knowing how many columns you want and most importantly, the placement of the columns (right– or left-aligned) will help you sift through templates already.
3. What is your ideal font type and size?
You have to consider an optimum font size and type which is not impossible to read. Keeping the optimum size in mid will help you eliminate more templates. [Although the font size could be changed from the style.css]
4. What color scheme would you like for your blog?
Searching by colour on blog template websites can save you a lot of hassle. However, remember to eliminate templates with a light-colored font on a light background.
26 Discussions
I think you’ve made a typo in point 3
Otherwise this is sound advice, picking a theme can be tough, especially when the blog is important to you or is your main blog. I know I tried to pick a theme that met all my needs but am still having second thoughts about it, so anything like this to help is a real bonus.
Oh! The f got replaced by a d
Thanks.
Picking a theme could be a hard job, but be sure not to make those obvious mistakes.
When I’m picking a theme I try to use one that is not going to look like 100,000 other blogs out there and one that looks professional.
Those are my main two bullet points when looking for a theme.
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Like Ali said, there are tons of free themes out there for you to use.
Picking a free theme can be really hard regardless of how many thousands of blogs are out there. It’s hard, because the one thing you want your blog to have is originality; a form of branding your blog on the internet. By using a free theme, it really takes away from that. That’s why, like you said, have to find one very uncommon to see on the internet.
Good luck finding a theme Dean. Let us know what you come up with.
That is not a problem. Thousands of free themes have been released
Ali Hussain’s last blog post..25 Tips to Make Your Blog Work
A big thanks to Ali for guest posting. Short and sweet post, we appreciate it!
Your welcome. Wait for more from me
Ali Hussain’s last blog post..25 Tips to Make Your Blog Work
Good post! My question is, are there big differences between “premium” themes and the regular themes that you see on theme sites for blogs such as WP?
Yes and No. It is all about uniqueness. Good Premium templates are hard to find, as most of them have a free alternative, in a way of free themes. Use the theme that is most unique in way.
Ali Hussain’s last blog post..25 Tips to Make Your Blog Work
Firstly let me say; Thank you for your guest post here at Blogussion, Ali ~ hope we will see more of your work around here
The questions you’ve raised in this post are really simple and straight to the point, and even though some of them are dead-obvious people tend to overlook it (maybe ’cause it’s so obvious, that’s pretty ironic) It’s a great reminder, and well done on your behalf – hope to see more of it in the near future
Also, this is a great-follow up post to my 8-Free WP Themes
Thank You once again, Ali!
Thankyou for the appreciation. I saw a lot of blog posts with these mistakes so i ought to post ‘em up
Ali Hussain’s last blog post..Why Guest Post?
Very timely, thanks! I’m about to start all sorts of work on 3 different blogs…new themes is in order.
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Sounds like quite the project Dennis.
Good luck starting them up.
A whole lotta work, yes. lol
These are the 3 that are already in play, although a 4th may be emerging as well.
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Good Luck
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Nice article…
This might help me to select the new template for my new blogs
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Not Might, it WILL help you
Ali Hussain’s last blog post..How to write a guest post
Nice post Ali, I really do like this kinds of posts as they get you thinking and really are interesting to read. Personally, I pick whatever looks nice and fits into my niche, if it doesn’t – why use it?
My favorite themes would have to be 3 column magazine themes, the free ones of course
WPThemeKid – Daniel’s last blog post..Create Cool 3D Text!
“If it doesn’t look nice, why use it?”
I think that sums up everything we need to know about theme-selecting! haha, well-said Dan.
I usually modify existing themes to my needs or create a new one from a basic template. Since I currently have over 100 niche topic WordPress blogs in addition to my two flagship blogs I need a lot of variety in themes.
The most important thing I’ve found is understand how to adjust the theme to the type of visitor you expect. When you know who to expect you can tailor your design for them and your objectives for their visit, be it commenting and subscribing to your feed or clicking an Adsense ad.
Frank Carr’s last blog post..Earn Online Cash With WordPress: Info Magazine Themes
I can’t stand working off of other people’s code. The only theme I don’t mind working off of that isn’t mind is the Thesis framework – that has a brilliant back end to it.
Over 100 blogs? Hope you don’t run them all yourself!
Your niche has a big effect on your design, and having the skill to determine what needs to be done is invaluable. I’m talking to someone on MSN who runs a sports blog, but doesn’t feel like the graphics and style used on his blog would really pertain to an audience of a sports blog.
Thanks for the comment, you brought up some interesting ideas!
Yes, I do run all 100 blogs. To be fair, most of them might more properly be termed mini-sites than full fledged blogs although WordPress is the content management system behind them. Their objective is to get visitors from search engines and convert this traffic to affiliate sales or Adsense clicks.
Frank Carr’s last blog post..Earn Online Cash With WordPress: Info Magazine Themes
I thought they were called niche sites.
I do the same too
Ali Hussain’s last blog post..What Is Blogger’s Block
thanks for your tips and suggestion after a long time i read this type of article. thanks again.
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thank u for sharing. this one the interesting article which i read about theme and u gave all answer of 4 question. thanks again for this.
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I never thought about that much before choosing a theme for my website. But, I think these suggestions are very practical and will save you from changing the themes again and again if we choose theme using your suggestions.
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