I can remember the term ‘Dress For Success‘ since way back in the eighties. How does that old adage apply to blogging? Simple, dress up your blog for success. With today’s themes and plugins there is no reason to use the plain Jane default theme that comes with the original WordPress install.
With my new appreciation for Twitter I am noticing more and more plain-looking blogs that scream go-away. I know it’s wrong in this day and age to judge a book by it’s cover but it is hard not to see that ugly setup and assume the admin has nothing to offer. And truthfully, that’s very often the case.
I prefer WordPress over other blog systems for several reasons and a big one is the availability of themes and plugins. You can find hundreds of them and the hardest part is finding just one to meet your needs. WordPress has a huge directory of available free themes at: WordPress Theme Directory
Need help installing a new WordPress Theme? See: How To Install A New WordPress Theme Video
Always test your theme for proper functions, looks and compatibility issues. Things like thumbnails, commenting and permalinks can vary from theme to theme. Always test your theme with each WordPress upgrade. Not long ago I had an issue immediately after I paid to upgrade the WordPress Dream Theme by Ben Cope [See Three Days Of Silence]. Always back up your blog before making theme changes.
Ready to upgrade your theme with a premium theme without the premium cost? The theme Hot Blog Tips uses is just one of many Premium WordPress Themes offered by ElegantThemes for just $19.95/year unlimited access. We use ElegantThemes on several blogs.
Want more? Below are a few links to help your quest to find the perfect look and fit for your blog…
- 55 Premium WordPress Themes to Blow Your Mind | Pro Blog Design
- Top Wordpress Themes – Best Free Themes for Wordpress
- WP-Premiums
- 40 Excellent Free WordPress Themes
- 15 Free Professional Magazine WordPress Themes
- 100 Superb Wordpress Themes For Free!
- 17 New Wordpress Themes That Will Rock Your Personal Blog
Dennis Edell (19)
Suzanne Vara (14)
Andrew (10)
Chris Roane - Mon... (6)
Brian D. Hawkins (5)
{ 12 comments… read them below or add one }
Twitter: ExtremeEzine
April 5, 2009 at 12:22 pm
Hi Brian, I love those themes from ElegantThemes. Check your commissions because I’m going to join today. Thanks for the advice.
[Reply]
Thanks for the link, but I think you may have meant to link to my list of free themes instead.
[Reply]
@Robbie: Thanks Robbie, I appreciate you using my affiliate link to make the purchase. You forgot to add your site. If you have one feel free to come back and add the link.
@PJ: Thanks PJ, you are absolutely correct. I appreciate the correction and I have edited the link. I love your site.
[Reply]
No problem, Brian, and thanks. You’ve got a great site here.
[Reply]
Hey Brian!
Long time dude.. Well yeah I see you make good use of the elegant theme and it really suits your topic and what you are sharing here.. =)
[Reply]
Hi Ben, I almost missed your comment. I need to get busy on this new blog. I love Elegant Themes. I did have to change the CSS up a little so the post and comment sections had a white background. That dark background makes it too hard for old folks like me to read lol
[Reply]
I like elegant theme.Thank You…
[Reply]
i like this tutorial it really is true sometimes you have to make your site very good looking but readable im just new to wordpress but its really a very great host for blogs…
[Reply]
Twitter: bethany_north
July 3, 2009 at 4:31 pm
I am totally on board with twitter, and how can you not judge a book by its cover when so many blogs are competing for attention? It’s exactly what you’re saying about dressing nice to make a first impression, which is true whether you like it or not.
[Reply]
Brian Hawkins Reply:
July 20th, 2009 at 5:42 am
Hi Bethany, you have a great looking Twitter profile. I’m following you now.
[Reply]
“Dress Your WordPress Blog For Success”
Now thats a very captivating headline. I think you could become a good copywriter some day!
Thanks
[Reply]
I want to have it so when I post on my blog at Wordpress, it will automatically post the same blog on my MySpace page. I know there is a way to do this with forums and bulletin boards – posting on WordPress and having it show up in the forums.
[Reply]
Brian Hawkins Reply:
July 23rd, 2009 at 6:09 am
I’m sure there is a better way already developed but I imagine it would be simple if MySpace has a way to add RSS feeds.
[Reply]
How Can I Get New Themes Onto My Wordpress.com Blog, WITHOUT Using a FTP Client…?
Debate Supplies´s last blog ..‘Need and Importance of Diabetes Supplies’
[Reply]
Brian Hawkins Reply:
August 23rd, 2009 at 10:29 pm
WordPress version 2.8.4. has an ‘Add New Themes’ option under the ‘Appearance’ tab. This allows you to import new themes directly to your blog without a FTP client. Be very careful and back everything up first if you choose this option. I’ve only tried it once and it was a disaster.
Actually back it up with any option including FTP: Back That Blog Up
[Reply]