When I do eventually find something to write about, ideally i'd like to set up a WordPress blog. I just had a couple of questions about them (sorry if this is the wrong area again):
1 - How customizable are they? If I find a theme I like can I add an image on the top, change the colors, etc.
2 - What is the best way to find the theme you like? Ideally, I would like to have a navigation bar on the top provding links to some static content. I then would like to have a column on the right where I can place my affiliate banners. In the middle/left column is where i'd like my content.
When I do eventually find something to write about, ideally i'd like to set up a WordPress blog. I just had a couple of questions about them (sorry if this is the wrong area again):
1 - How customizable are they? If I find a theme I like can I add an image on the top, change the colors, etc.
Very customizable. There's not much you can't do, especially if you have a basic knowledge of HTML and PHP. Even if you don't, there is a huge repository of free plug-ins and themes for customization.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Adammo
2 - What is the best way to find the theme you like? Ideally, I would like to have a navigation bar on the top provding links to some static content. I then would like to have a column on the right where I can place my affiliate banners. In the middle/left column is where i'd like my content.
Warning: There are a LOT of options here.
You can start by Googling "wordpress themes" or "free wordpress themes" or "three column WordPress themes".
The WordPress site itself also has a list of themes. They had discontinued that for a time so it's not nearly as complete as their plug-ins directory but it's growin.
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When I do eventually find something to write about, ideally i'd like to set up a WordPress blog. I just had a couple of questions about them (sorry if this is the wrong area again):
1 - How customizable are they? If I find a theme I like can I add an image on the top, change the colors, etc.
2 - What is the best way to find the theme you like? Ideally, I would like to have a navigation bar on the top provding links to some static content. I then would like to have a column on the right where I can place my affiliate banners. In the middle/left column is where i'd like my content.
Thanks!
I use Wordpress all the time. It is extremely customizable. In regards to changing colors, if you are a beginner, the best thing to do is find a theme that already offers a color scheme you like. The 2 main places that I use themes from is Elegant Themes and Woo Themes. With Elegant Themes there is a yearly fee of $20, but that gives you unlimited access to all of the themes, many of which offer different color variations. Woo Themes has a few free themes as well that are very nice looking.
Another way to find a theme is to Google it, say you want to make a blog about Thanksgiving. Try searching "Free Thanksgiving Wordpress Themes"
If you want to display affiliate banners on the right hand side make sure the theme you choose, displays things on the right and not the left. Then simply use the text widgets in the control panel to paste in your affiliate links or banners.
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Unlike lots of people here, I was intimidated by WP and pretty lost using it at first. I dont' know any html, php, css or even what they were about 3 months ago. I still get lost when I want to tweak small details but the WP forum has been pretty helpful - especially after I used the free theme Atahualpa and donated $25. Those guys have been really patient. And I've found that particular theme to be very easy to customize.
Other free themes I also found easy to use and customize were Arclite and Vigilance. All of these are available as a direct download from WP through your c-panel using Fantastico.
Those who are more experienced with WP may disagree with me on this, but based on my very limited experience, a newbie should be careful using one of the free themes out there from other sources. I spent weeks screwing around with one of these that was already geared towards my niche. Looked sweet - even the header would have been fine. However, support was non-existent and I eventually found out that the theme itself was flawed when you used images in posts (Nope, it wasn't me - I finally had someone who knows what they are doing check it out.) So, switched to regular WP theme, and I was far better off.
Also, unless you've got more background at this than I do, I'd suggest you seriously consider going with a theme that only has one sidebar (many give you choices of 2 or more). Having one one sidebar to mess with made it easier for me to learn how everything interacts.
One other bit of advice that I wish somebody had passed on to me. When you are setting up your pages and/or categories and deciding what order you want them to be listed, don't use 1,2,3,4 and so forth. Use 10, 20, 30, 40 or even 100, 200, 300. This will allow you to add pages/categories later without redoing the entire structure.
Ideally, I would like to have a navigation bar on the top provding links to some static content. I then would like to have a column on the right where I can place my affiliate banners. In the middle/left column is where i'd like my content.
The way I read it he only wanted a 2 column theme?
Top nav bar, content on left, sidebar on right. That's what he said anyway.
But I agree with minstrel, IF what you really wanted was a 3 column theme, then you would not want to modify a 2 column theme, it would be too hard unless you are a highly experienced WP designer.
__________________ Linda Buquet :: Affiliate Recruiting, Promotion & PR
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The free forum support we provide is made possible by all the 5 Star programs at the top of the right sidebar & in the directory below. Please visit & support our merchants.
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