Selecting a Wordpress Theme

I am asked regularly for guidance on selecting themes for new Wordpress blogs. So, I thought I would write a suggestions here.

While Wordpress is a fabulous behind-the-scenes software that powers each Wordpress blog, a theme gives a blog its visual appearance. There are thousands of Wordpress themes, and most are free or available for a small donation. Begin by checking the theme listing at Wordpress.org or Google “Wordpress themes.”

Themes are usually two or three columns. A two-column theme would have a wide column for blog posts and a narrower sidebar either on the left or right for widgets or special features. A three-column theme has a wide column for posts and two narrower sidebars, located on either side of the post column or together on the right of the post column. But, there sometimes is a price to be paid by using a free theme — embedded spyware or links to unsavory Web sites. You get what you pay for.

My advise is to deal with theme developers who charge a fair price for their work. There’s better accountability and support.

While there are many outstanding theme developers, my top 3 are (in no special order):

1. Solostream. Solostream provides a variety of appealing themes for Wordpress, including WP-Vybe, one of the best themes available, in my opinion, because of its control panel for changing colors, features and customizing a blog with ease. Michael Pollock, who started the company and created the themes, recently sold the company so I cannot say what changes might be in the works. Nonetheless, the themes are very good.
2. Sadish Bala.  I have always liked Sadish’s easy to use themes, and appreciate the personal support he provides.
3. Chris Pearson. I find any theme created by Chris to be appealing, clean-looking and professional. His newest offering, the popular Thesis theme, drives this blog, BlogStrategies.

Keep in mind that some of the newer themes are using CSS coding that often will require better than average knowledge of coding and patience to learn a new style. But with any of the three theme developers I have listed here, you cannot go wrong.