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- Understanding Theme Differences Between WordPress.org and WordPress.com
- Exploring WordPress Theme Layout Options
- Exploring WordPress Theme Pricing Options
- Five Steps to Choosing the Perfect Theme
- Searching for and Activating a Theme (WordPress.com)
- Searching for and Installing a Theme (WordPress.org)
- Uploading a Theme (WordPress.org)
- Using Live Preview
- Activating a Different Theme
- Customizing Your Theme
- Other Theme Customization Options (WordPress.org)
- Deleting a Theme (WordPress.org)
This chapter is from the book
Five Steps to Choosing the Perfect Theme
Now that you have some idea about the types of theme layouts and price ranges available, it’s time to start searching for a theme for your site. Here are a few great tips for choosing the perfect theme:
- Define the theme features and design elements you need. Although you can customize a theme, it’s best to choose one that already meets most of your requirements rather than spending too much time on customization. This is particularly important if you’re a WordPress beginner and don’t have experience modifying themes. For example, determine the layout you require, how many sidebars you want, your color preferences, any special elements you need (such as sliders or galleries), and so forth.
- Determine your theme budget. See “Exploring WordPress Theme Pricing Options” earlier in this chapter for more information.
- Search for themes that match your criteria. Narrowing your initial choices to three to five potential themes helps you avoid the overwhelming task of scrolling through thousands of options.
- Take potential themes on a test drive. Installing a free theme and trying it out is easy, but analyzing premium themes can be a bit tricky. Fortunately, many premium theme developers give you hands-on access to their themes before you buy.
- Select a theme and activate it. Optionally, you might have to purchase or download the theme before activation, depending on your choice of theme.
If you’re lucky, your first choice of theme works out perfectly. But if you’re like most people, you’ll try out multiple themes before settling on the one you want to use on your published site.