WordPress Themes

choosing, using & musing a theme for your web site

A presentation for WordPress Findhorn, March 2013, by Mark Rowatt Anderson

Overview

  • Talk about themes
  • Q&A, site clinic
  • Breakout

What makes WordPress?

  • WordPress core code
  • Theme
  • Plugins
  • Content

So What's in a Theme?

It tells WordPress how to display your content

  • Graphic style
  • Typographic style
  • Page layout
  • Extra features (caution)

What Makes a Good Theme?

Not all themes are equal

  • Does it look good (everywhere)?
  • Is it well coded?
  • Is it supported and updated?
  • Does it lock you in?
  • Is it value for money?

Questions to Ask

  • Is there a specific design you are looking for; or
    do you just want something which looks good?
  • How much time do you want to spend customising?
  • What's the purpose of your site?
  • How important is your site now, and in the future?
  • What's your budget?
  • What's the theme's license?

Where to Get Themes From

Theme Studios

Some recommended theme studios

Theme Frameworks

Rather more effort to set up, but more flexibility.
Some popular ones:-

Installing a Theme

  • Install direct from WordPress
  • Download, then upload into WordPress
  • Download, then upload via FTP
  • Preview before activating
  • Siwtching themes can mess things up

Find a Theme

Upload a Theme

Preview a Theme

Customising a Theme

  • Theme options
  • Child themes
  • Widgets
  • Plugins
  • DIY

Suffusion - lots of options

Some themes are very customisable

  • Suffusion is a popular, very customisable free theme
  • Lots of options, but
  • If you switch themes you will lose customisations

One of many options screens

Twentyeleven Child Themes

With a little effort you can do a lot with the default WordPress themes...

Wrap Up

  • What's good depends on your needs
  • Try to stick with quality themes
  • Lots of help online
  • Don't be afraid to experiment

Future Meetings

What topics would you like?

  • Search Engine Optimisation
  • Plugins
  • Security
  • Hosting
  • Widgets

Thanks for listening

Mark Rowatt Anderson

http://rowatt.com/

(0797) 123 1239

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