Themes
According to Digital Business Consultancy, "A theme will form a big part of how your blog looks, it’s important to get it right." [1] Picking a theme is not just about what is seen on the surface. When picking a theme, bloggers should be aware of all their options. After choosing a theme that fits the focus and desired layout of your blog, there are several attributes to consider within the theme. After considering all the options and making an informed decision, the application process is simple and straight-forward.
How to pick a theme
Picking the perfect theme for a blog is vital to the future success of that blog. A blogger must consider the way a theme will appear in a search engine. Keeping search engine optimization in mind when picking a theme will give web users a better first impression of that blog.
Another thing a blogger should consider when choosing a theme is the focus of the blog. For example if a blogger is working on a "How to" blog then they will want to pick a blog that is compatible with uploading pictures or video, a good example of a compatible theme for this kind of blog is a Molly Blog WP theme. If a blogger is looking for a theme that will support a lot of text then a Daily journal WP theme would be ideal because it adapts to any screen's size making it more scan-able and easy to read on any device. Picking a simple yet compatible theme is recommended for easy use in updating and to ensure that it will work with multiple browsers. Functionality is the key. Busy themes might look good, but they are hard to modify and not always compatible with every browser.
A custom theme is recommended if you want a little more design while still maintaining functionality. A free theme with a simple and professional looking design which can be easily modified is best when picking a theme, just be aware of the terms of service. Picking a free theme has its advantages but if its support a blogger is looking for then picking a commercial theme will give the support they are looking for with just a one-time fee involved. The main points to keep in mind when choosing a theme for your topic are, search engine optimization, compatibility with your industry or business, and functionality. Keeping these in mind will help any blogger pick a theme that is right for their topic to provide a successful starting point.
Widgets
Many, but not all, Wordpress themes allow for the use of widgets. All themes do not offer the same amount of widget space on a blog page. Depending on the nature of a blog, this can be problematic. When browsing through, read the details of themes that fit the style of your blog. Check that widgets are supported, how many are available, and where they may be placed.
Color & Background
Some themes offer the option of changing the color of various elements of the blog including the font and background. In some cases this may include changes in color palette. The ability to edit custom colors will be listed under "features" in the theme details.
Menus
Bloggers generally have two options for adding menus to a blog site. Some themes come with menus set in specific areas by default. If this is not an option, many themes support the creation of custom menus. This information is generally included in the theme details. To create a custom menu or check for menu support, got Appearance -> Menus and make the desired changes.
Browser compatibility
Many bloggers make the assumption that because a blog theme works well on one browser, it will work the same on all browsers. This assumption can be dangerous. When searching for a theme, pay attention to the browser compatibility and mobile support. Wordpress provides several |"mobile themes" that are specifically smartphone-ready. Additionally, many themes offer the option of enabling or disabling mobile themes on your site if the theme is mobile friendly.[2]
Where to get a theme
Themes for word press can be found on the word press site itself or from outside sources. With websites such as RocketTheme,WooTheme and SMThemes , finding a theme to fit your desired look is not a problem. They all provide both premium and free themes. Premium themes may differ in price based upon the specs and any special widgets that can be added. If you are unwilling to pay for a theme there are multiple themes that are free that will create the same great look as a premium theme.
How to apply the theme
Once a blogger has picked a theme for the blog, the theme must be applied. Depending on the parent website a blogger is using to create and edit their content the application process can vary. When applying a theme there are a few key questions to consider:
- Does the theme properly fit the content of the blog?
- Is it easy to view on a mobile device as well?
- Can a user easily navigate the blog using the currently applied theme?
There are many different sites a blogger can chose from to create a blog and apply a theme. This is an example of the step by step process of applying a theme to a popular blogging site.
According to free-themes.org this is how you install a Blogger.com theme:
- 1)Open a new tab or window and go to Blogger.com.
- 2) Log in to the website. If you are already logged in, look for this window:
- 3) Click the Manage layout link at the bottom. Now you should see your blog's template. Here you can move sidebar items (called widgets) and add new ones. However, your first task is changing your theme.
- 4) In the menu, choose edit HTML.
- 5) When you arrive at the Edit HTML page, it's a good idea to back up your existing template. Click the download full template link to do so.
- 6) When you made sure you've got a backup of the old template on your hard drive, it's time to change your old template to a new one.
- 7) Find the ZIP archive you downloaded from this website and unzip/unrar it.
- 8) In the folder contained in the archive, there are three files: license.txt, readme.txt and themename.xml. For instance, if you downloaded the Granddaddy deluxe theme, the .xml file will be named grandaddydeluxe.xml or something similar.
- 9) Now you have 2 options. Either open the .xml file in a plain text editor (like Notepad on Windows) and copy paste the contents to the edit template field. Or, use the restore template function to upload your new template. This seems illogical, but it's the easiest way to add a new theme. Click the browse button and find the .xml file on your hard drive. Hit the upload button.
- 10) Save your theme to the blog.
This process is similar to others found on different blogging sites. Most websites have a detailed step by step process for applying the theme correctly and formatting it to fit your desired needs. Be sure to preview your blog once you have applied the theme to catch any potential issues with the theme before publishing it.
Notes
References
- Selecting the Perfect Theme for WordPress wpbeginner web. 25 March 2013. Web. 27 April 2013
- 20+ Simple WordPress Blog Themes for Personal W Blogging web. 19 Feb. 2013. Web. 27 April 2013
- Wordpress Themes for Blogs Wordpress. Web. 29 April 2013
- What to Look For in a Wordpress Theme Digital Business Consultancy. 31 Jan. 2013 Web. 25 April 2013