There are many websites that provide directories of free and premium
Wordpress themes and
Blogger
templates. There are even more blog designers who offer free, premium
and custom Wordpress themes and Blogger templates. With so many
choices, how does a blogger decide which theme or template to use in his
or her blog design? Easy. Just consider the 11 factors listed below
to ensure you're making a good decision.
1. Budget
Wordpress
themes and Blogger templates are either free, premium or custom. Free
themes cost nothing and are available for anyone to use, anywhere and at
anytime. That means many people could use the exact same theme. Premium
themes typically have a price tag around $70. Anyone can buy them and
use them on their blogs. Custom themes are created by a blog designer
for a specific blog. They can cost hundreds or thousands of dollars and
are completely unique to the blog they are created for. The first factor
you need to consider is how much money you're willing to spend in order
to get a unique look and increased functionality for your blog. It's
not a certainty that free themes offer the least functionality, but it's
usually true.
2. Functionality
Determine how much
functionality you want your blog to have. This depends on your goals for
your blog. If you want to grow your blog, you'll want a theme that
offers flexibility and enhanced functionality. For example, if you want
to include ads on your blog but choose a 1-column blog theme, you will
have very little choice in terms of where your ads can appear on your
blog.
3. Investment on Additional Customization
All
blog themes can be further customized from the original version you
purchase. You might find a theme or template you really like but later
realize the colors or fonts aren't exactly to your liking. This is a
change a blog designer (or possibly you, with a bit of
CSS research) can make fairly easily. However, the bigger the change, the more it will cost you.
4. Layout
One
of the first things you should look at when you're researching
Wordpress themes or Blogger templates is the layout. Most blogs are 2-
or 3-columns. Some offer standard blog formats with a chronological list
of blog posts flanked by sidebar columns, but other blogs use magazine
style themes, photo themes, and more. Take some time to review a variety
of blog designs to determine which layout style will work best for your
blog.
5. Reputable Designer
Anyone can
create a blog theme or template, publish it online and offer it for free
or for a fee. It can be a hassle to change your blog's theme if you
have a lot of content and customization (e.g., Wordpress plug-ins,
customized sidebars with widgets, etc.). Make sure the blog theme or
template you choose is from a reputable designer with a track record of
creating great designs. Doing so ensures your blog theme or template
will work correctly and include the best features and functionality.
6. Find Blogs with Designs You Like
A
great way to choose a Wordpress theme or Blogger template is to browse
blogs and find designs and layouts that you like. Then contact the blog
owner and ask what theme or template they use. Often this information is
included in the blog's footer!
7. View Other Sites Already Using the Theme You're Considering
If
you find a theme or template online that you like, try to find some
other blogs that already use that theme and take a look at them. Spend
some time clicking deep into the site and testing the functionality from
a user's perspective. Don't be afraid to email the theme or template
designer and ask for a list of sites using that design. Good designers
will be happy to share this information.
8. Design Elements
Consider
design elements like color, fonts, and so on before you settle on a
blog design. While design elements can usually be changed without much
hassle by a person who knows CSS, that can be an additional investment
if you need to find someone to help you. Take the time to look at how
different heading styles look, how linked text appears, and so on to
ensure you're happy with them.
9. Functional Elements
Just as you took time
to analyze the design elements in a blog theme or template, you should
also take time to analyze the functional elements such as the "Read
More" link at the end of posts, text in block quotes, the comments
section, sidebar headers, post titles, the "Next" or "Previous"
navigation, and so on. Each of these functional elements are very
important to the user experience on your blog. Make sure they work (and
look) the way you would want them to on your blog.
10. Read Reviews
One
of the most important steps you can take when you're choosing a
Wordpress theme or Blogger template is to take the time to read the
reviews other bloggers write about them. If you're considering a theme
or template listed in a directory site, check to see if reviews are
included with the listing. Take some time to do a Google search on the
theme name and designer's name to find out what other bloggers have to
say about it.
11. Support
Be sure to
find out what kind of support is offered with the theme. Is the designer
available to answer questions? Is there a support forum where users
help each other? Can you pay a fee to get support when you need it? The
best themes offer some way for you to get help when you need it.
