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WP Question: Blog themes vs Magazine themes

by Shadowflux
5 replies
  • WEB DESIGN
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Hey everyone,

I appreciate you taking the time to help me out. I'm currently working on a new website. The details aren't terribly important, just that it will essentially be a blog. It's meant to be a home for all my thoughts and writing related to the targeted market. (It will promote products as well)

While doing research to find the best theme, I've noticed a trend towards using magazine themes for content heavy sites.

I want it to appear more "high end" than a typical blog. It's going to be a branded website with its own name. It also needs to have slightly more visual impact than a traditional blog.

I figured I would ask you guys. What are your opinions on Magazine vs Blog themes? Will a magazine theme, if responsive, translate just as well to a mobile format?

Do you think I'll need a ton of visual media to make the best use of a magazine theme?

Thanks in advance!
#blog #magazine #question #themes
  • Profile picture of the author MillionDollarBucks
    Originally Posted by Shadowflux View Post

    Hey everyone,

    I appreciate you taking the time to help me out. I'm currently working on a new website. The details aren't terribly important, just that it will essentially be a blog. It's meant to be a home for all my thoughts and writing related to the targeted market. (It will promote products as well)

    While doing research to find the best theme, I've noticed a trend towards using magazine themes for content heavy sites.

    I want it to appear more "high end" than a typical blog. It's going to be a branded website with its own name. It also needs to have slightly more visual impact than a traditional blog.

    I figured I would ask you guys. What are your opinions on Magazine vs Blog themes? Will a magazine theme, if responsive, translate just as well to a mobile format?

    Do you think I'll need a ton of visual media to make the best use of a magazine theme?

    Thanks in advance!
    For product promotion Magazine theme is the best.Along with this, you can use a menu item that links to the blog which can be on a sub domain or on a TLD.
    Visual media element is a must as you want a bit visual impact for the site.
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  • Profile picture of the author Marketer Matt
    Hi Shadowflux, the gap between "blog themes" and "magazine themes" is almost non-existent these days. You could find what you're looking for under either category, and you'll find that either of them can be responsive, meaning they work well on mobile devices.

    And the type of content you should add to make the site look good will depend on the theme you get and it's settings. With over 13,000 themes out there, almost anything is available. If you can be a bit more specific, I might be able to make a recommendation. Or, if you want to browse yourself, check out the footer
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    • Profile picture of the author Shadowflux
      the gap between "blog themes" and "magazine themes" is almost non-existent these days. You could find what you're looking for under either category, and you'll find that either of them can be responsive, meaning they work well on mobile devices.
      This is why it's sort of hard to decide.

      Maybe it's just me but I feel like the traditional blog layout, with articles on one side and the sidebars on the other, feels.....a little outdated. I know they're optimized for the content but I think the overall design of the website contributes to the validity of the content quite a bit.

      A boring, "seen it before" blog layout might, in my mind, sort of decrease the impact of the information found in the content. The key here is maximizing the validity and impact of the material posted, buttressing the authority.

      I think a blog is also a bit harder to expand as you grow. Sure, you can add more pages but that starts making things feel disjointed after a while. I see the magazine as being more open to growth because of the variety of different ways it can display available content (all on the main, first page too).

      The only downside is that magazine themes seem to need a lot of visual media. I plan on writing a lot but I don't want to pay a whole bunch of money for every post just because I need a nice picture.

      You say the magazine themes will still be completely responsive so that's good. I guess part of what I'm asking is if readers/visitors/people will react better to a modern magazine theme or if a traditional blog theme would be a better option.

      The product promotions will be nothing more than a link to a product, either text or image, so it's not a huge concern.

      Honestly, the more I think about it, the more I'm leaning towards Magazine. It's been a long time since I saw a blog theme or layout that really impressed me. I feel like people are coming to expect something closer to a magazine theme these days, at least where "high end", reputable, serious sites they're going to listen to are concerned.

      Thanks btw!
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  • Profile picture of the author Istvan Horvath
    Originally Posted by Shadowflux View Post

    The details aren't terribly important
    Sorry, that's where you are terribly wrong

    The details, like the content, the structure of your content, the target audience etc. should determine your theme choice.

    Because there is no "best" theme for everyone and every WP install.
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    • Profile picture of the author Shadowflux
      I simply meant they're not important for you guys, right now.

      I have all the important details worked out. I just wanted some opinions on the two types of themes.
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