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Help with Wordpress theme selection

by Young Hunter
18 replies
I've been researching this for a couple days, so I thought I would get some experienced opinions on it. I have a few sites I need to choose themes for, and there is just so much noise out there with themes. The first is just a personal blog; obviously does not need to be complex, but something clean and non standard to set it apart from other blogs.

The second is an affiliate review site. I would like it to have the ability to have a featured review taking up the top space below the header and then three columns of products with the ability to write blurbs with each one. I realize this will probably take some combination of plugins as well. What thisiswhyimbroke is doing with their layout is similar, but I want to focus more on the review and some humor. Less random, more about something specific.

The third site... Well, that's my baby, and I want to attain some additional experience before moving forward on that. I'm not opposed to spending money on this, and have looked at Genesis, Thesis, etc., but I want to spend it wisely obviously. Any advice would be helpful, thanks for your time.
#selection #theme #wordpress
  • Profile picture of the author Young Hunter
    Here's a quick example I did in paint to show what I mean for the affiliate site:


    Doesn't have to be exact, but something along these lines.
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  • Profile picture of the author tryinghard
    Hi there,

    I think you can easily get that done by a professional company that does professional web design. I do know a team who would be able to do the job. PM me if you want to learn more so I can get in touch with them.
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  • Profile picture of the author Jason Johns
    Hi there,

    You can use the default 2010 / 2011 themes and hack those around, that works nicely for simple sites.

    Alternatively you can use Genesis - I use that a lot and think they provide superb themes - very nice looking if you are willing to spend the time setting it up.

    Looking at the picture you drew, check out the site in my signature - I've used a free theme - Cala something or other to create a site similar in look and feel to that. However, I've also created something similar in Genesis.

    Good luck with your site!

    Jason
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    • Profile picture of the author Young Hunter
      Originally Posted by Jason Johns View Post

      Hi there,

      You can use the default 2010 / 2011 themes and hack those around, that works nicely for simple sites.

      Alternatively you can use Genesis - I use that a lot and think they provide superb themes - very nice looking if you are willing to spend the time setting it up.

      Looking at the picture you drew, check out the site in my signature - I've used a free theme - Cala something or other to create a site similar in look and feel to that. However, I've also created something similar in Genesis.

      Good luck with your site!

      Jason
      Thanks for the reply. I keep looking at Genesis, very appealing. I think I'm going to try and get the most from what's free, and spend when I feel like it's really holding me back. Time to do a little learning.
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  • Profile picture of the author CustomDevo
    Try Atahualpa wordpress theme, it's free and it has wide choice of theme options that you can use without touching the codes to customize your wordpress site.

    You can search and install it from you wordpress dashboard.

    Hope this helps.
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  • Profile picture of the author WillR
    This is what you need:

    WordPress | ThemeForest
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    • Profile picture of the author Young Hunter
      Originally Posted by WillR View Post

      This is what you need:
      2258 themes in that link. I was looking for something specific.
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      • Profile picture of the author WillR
        Originally Posted by Young Hunter View Post

        2258 themes in that link. I was looking for something specific.
        Yes, but sort them via popularity and the category you are looking for. You have to expect to do a little research if you want to end up with a theme you are happy with.
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        • Profile picture of the author Young Hunter
          Originally Posted by WillR View Post

          Yes, but sort them via popularity and the category you are looking for. You have to expect to do a little research if you want to end up with a theme you are happy with.
          Wasn't meaning to come off as rude, I have been researching; I just thought perhaps the members here would have some good specific suggestions based on experience. No big deal now, I've decided on something.
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      • Profile picture of the author successpaving
        Originally Posted by Young Hunter View Post

        2258 themes in that link. I was looking for something specific.
        If you are looking for something specific then just put that special word in search box of Wordpress at dashboard and you would find multiple themes to choose from.
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        From Zero To $710K In 28 Days CASE STUDY: [VIDEO HERE]
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        • Profile picture of the author Young Hunter
          Originally Posted by successpaving View Post

          If you are looking for something specific then just put that special word in search box of Wordpress at dashboard and you would find multiple themes to choose from.
          Specific as in how I laid out in the image I created above.
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  • Profile picture of the author WillR
    There are hundreds of themes that could do the basic layout you drew above. Most themes can be tweaked very easily. But as I said, you still need to be happy with the design of the blog and thus why I think it's always good to have a look through a number of themes so you can see what you prefer.

    Glad you found something though. Didn't meant to confuse you even more.
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    • Profile picture of the author Young Hunter
      Originally Posted by WillR View Post

      There are hundreds of themes that could do the basic layout you drew above. Most themes can be tweaked very easily. But as I said, you still need to be happy with the design of the blog and thus why I think it's always good to have a look through a number of themes so you can see what you prefer.

      Glad you found something though. Didn't meant to confuse you even more.
      I wasn't confused to begin with. I thought maybe someone here would see what I was looking for and go, "Oh yeah, I know just the thing," rather than something I found by searching through themes in directories. A shortcut, if you will. Not that I'm unwilling to look obviously, as I have; but like I said, hoping to draw on other's experience.
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  • Profile picture of the author gcbmark20
    Hi Young Hunter,

    If you are looking for high quality themes but without compromising on flexibility take a look at these:

    Premium Wordpress Themes:
    Theme Forest
    Woo Themes
    DIY Themes


    Hope these help and all the best with your future efforts!!!
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    • Profile picture of the author Jill Carpenter
      I use Headway as it is drag and drop - so you can just drag elements around the page - but it does take some getting used to. I like to look at other sites first, and then model after them (the things I like).

      If you have no design sense or patience, you'll be better off buying/finding something as close as possible to what you are looking for or hiring someone to make the themes for you.
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      "May I have ten thousand marbles, please?"

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  • Profile picture of the author Bill_Z
    Check out the Canvas theme from WooThemes. It's very flexible, I love it and use it for alot of my sites.
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  • Profile picture of the author rhinocl
    I don't think I have seen any theme that has that exact layout. What that means is you have two choices. A)Spend at least 6 months and probably more learning how to build a template. B) Pay some one.
    I can build these in 3-9 days but it has taken me a lot of time to get there.
    In either case I would avoid spending money on a paid theme. It won't help.
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    • Profile picture of the author danaziz
      You should be able to achieve the layout you want pretty easily with the flexsqueeze theme. I use this theme and I do recommend it.
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