Themes Matter
Does it really matter what WordPress Theme you use?
When I first started here on WA I used the Hiero theme to build my website. I used it because that was the theme Kyle used in the videos in the level one lessons. I was so new to all of this, so completely clueless, that the only way I could build my website was to follow along step by step using the same theme that Kyle was using.
The Heiro theme was OK, but as I continued to build my website it became increasingly apparent not only to me, but also to a number of people who took the time to review and give feedback on my site, that it was not a good fit for the niche I had chosen. And even though I tried to tweak the sites colors and text, nothing really worked. The theme simply was not the right one for my niche.
I am now much more comfortable using WordPress themes, and have recently went on a search for a more suitable theme. I went through quiet a number of them before I found one that I like. And along the way I discovered something.
Not all Themes are Created Equal.
I came across a number of themes that I really liked, but as I worked with them, I discovered various glitches in them which would have affected the functionality of the theme. One for example has a glitch in how the drop-down menus worked that would have been quite annoying to anyone browsing the site. Another had a glitch that made it impossible to format the text.
But finally, I found one that not only looks good but all its parts, as far as I know, work properly. It is called Overlay, and I am very pleased with it.
If you want to take a look at the Overlay Theme as it appears on my web site just click on the following link.
If you do not mind sharing, What themes have you found that you really like?
Recent Comments
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I have "Extension" and I'm not discouraged as of yet. At first like you I followed Kyle and got "Hero" and something got to me about it - but I don't remember what - so I ended up with "Extension" - I would like to know what your thoughts are about it if you remember anything about it - and/or if you even looked at it. Your website looks amazing - congrats!
Absolutely right - most people are visual responders, so packaging and presentation really matters, whether you're in a restaurant or on-line browsing.
As to choosing a theme for our website, I had a problem with the original theme I chose that couldn't be sorted, but it didn't become obvious until i was well into developing my site, so I had to find another theme to use.
Choosing a theme from the hundreds available can take a long time and for anyone who's not used to it, can be a bit overwhelming, confusing and difficult to understand exactly what's on offer and why their website doesn't look exactly like the theme they've chosen after they activate it.
Maybe there's an opportunity there for someone to put some training together that would look at something like the 'top ten' website themes, or maybe the WA community could come together and create a helpful list that could offer some useful advice.
LiKe! ... yes, good idea! ... Top 10 themes ... need an agreed list of criteria to determine, say the Top 10 or 5 even ... thanks!
When we are new to the game. We feel that it doesn't matter but it does. Thank you for sharing some light on this matter.
This is so true. I leave if it doesn't work. I think it is called Generate press that I use.
Douglas
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Right now I'll use the theme Kyle uses because in the training if mine doesn't look exactly like his, then I'm probably doing something wrong; However, I'm in complete agreement with you--find the theme that works best for you--after all, we are all different, and that's why there are so many out there which are available!
Jeff
That is exactly what I had to do when I first started.
Your site looks very orderly!