Deciding on a WordPress theme for your site can become quite a task, as there are so many theme’s available and the time spent looking for that perfect theme can become long and drawn out.
After all, first impressions count, don’t they? Plus you want to find a theme you will be satisfied with for some time, don’t you?
And depending on the amount of effort you put into modifying your theme, changing it can be more involved than just “Activating” a new one.
Here are some tips you may find helpful when looking for the right theme for your site.
Is It Cross Browser Compatible?
Some themes are not compatible with all browsers, make sure you test your theme in all of the popular browsers. Internet Explorer 06 is notorious for destroying themes. If this concerns you, choose a theme that is IE6 compatible. Check Out The Themes Compatibility Here.
Is There Any Support Available For Your Theme?
I have found support one of the biggest factors for choosing a theme. Sometimes your only option for decent support means you have to pay for a premium theme. I use and recommend Justin Tadlock’s Hybrid theme, and although it is a free theme, you do need to pay for the support, which for $25.00 PA, is an absolute steal.
Check The Code In The Footer.php File.
In the past I have found some Awesome free themes that I instantly fell in love with.
They were perfect in every way, but when I uploaded, activated and started setting up the theme, I realized the code in the footer had been encrypted, meaning I couldn’t edit the code.
This to me was a problem. Apart from the fact that it contained links pointing to particular health and gambling sites, there was no way of knowing what else was in the code. There may have been something malicious that would allow unauthorized access to my server.
So, if your thinking about using a free theme, open the footer.php file and check the code before uploading to your theme file.
Establishing The Purpose.
Establish from the outset what your site is to be used for. Many churches use WordPress as their website’s Content Management System without taking advantage of the blogging aspect of it. Determining this will help you make a decision on what you want from your theme.
Will You Promote Products From Your Site.
Decide if you ever intend on advertising on your site. If your website is for a personal ministry (and not for your church) and you think you will want to promote some products at some stage, then make sure you choose a theme that is set up with advertising areas already built into the theme.
Find Out What Is Already Popular.
Go to the WordPress codex and browse through their list of free themes. Check out the themes that have been downloaded the most, take notes on the color schemes, layouts and functions within the themes you like.
Another place to see what’s popular within the blogging community is Technoraties Top 100 blogs. Although you probably won’t get your theme from here, you most certainly will get some good ideas for what is actually proven to work and is popular.
The sites listed at Technorati are among the most popular blogs on the web. I’m sure these guys tested different theme layouts, color schemes and user friendly designs. Take notes and make a list of any sites you like and the features they have that you would like to see on your site
What Plugins Work With Your Theme.
If you need a specific plugin for your site, make sure your theme can handle it. All themes don’t work with all plugins.
Finding Your Content.
Make sure the theme has adequate navigation. This is fairly obvious but check to see if the navigation to your content is well laid out and easily visible.
Things to consider… are your pages and categories clearly defined and separate from each other and is your most important content easy to find.
How Easy Is Your Theme To Customize?
One of the things I love about WordPress is the ability to change the theme layouts easily. With the use of Widgets and Plugins you can easily change the look and feel of your site with a couple of mouse clicks. Check if the theme your looking at has multiple widget areas.
How Clean Is The Code?
Make sure the code is clean and well written and without errors. You can check out a themes code using the Markup Validation Service.
Does The Theme Get Updated?
Check the age of the theme and if it’s regularly updated and improved upon. WordPress is constantly getting upgraded and with new versions always coming out your theme could become a security issue. Make sure you choose a theme that is regularly updated and supported.
What Is Your Content?
There are themes that are specifically designed for various types of content, Video, Pictures, and your standard Text type themes. Choose a theme relative to the type of content you will be adding.
Do You Need Different Page Templates?
Some themes already come pre-installed with different page templates. Different page templates can add different functions to your site without any additional coding or modifications. The Hybrid theme is an excellent example of a theme with 18 pre-installed page templates.
And One More Thing To Consider.
Are Your Articles Easy To Read?
Sometimes themes can become so cluttered with “Stuff” that if really distracts the user from what’s most important, “Your Content“.
Does the theme you are wanting to use have plenty of clean space?
And what is the text font and size?
The readability of your text can also play a major part on how well your content is displayed.
This info is absolutely essential for someone like myself about to build a website. Before reading this article on wordpress themes I probably would have just dived into it without knowing what I was getting into! Many thanks Jeremy for sharing your knowledge on the subject.
No Problem Keith,
What is it exactly that you Krunch?
Vegemite on toast. yummy. crunch, crunch, crunch.
It’s only because you are my father in law that I let that comment through, Otherwise I would of thought you were trying to spam my comments Keith.