Your WordPress template will determine the look and feel of your website. You have thousands of free templates to choose from. Unfortunately, there is no special trick for this. Many of our clients find that they need over an hour to dedicate to this task at a time so it does not become overwhelming. You will want to read the descriptions and tags, check out the reviews, and look at the preview provided. Descriptions and tags are written by the person that designed the theme. While they often provide insight, you may find that they lack consistency from one description to another.
Please keep in mind that our standard agreement states that all content will be provided by the client including text, photos, logos, trademarks, and anything else to be used in the site. Any requests for changes or alterations to any element of the content will be billed at the hourly rate of $95, unless covered by a separate maintenance or marketing contract. Therefore, in the event that a theme has options, the theme will be installed using default settings. Any requests for changes or alterations to the theme will be billed at the hourly rate of $95, unless covered by a separate maintenance contract. A theme with options is much quicker and easier to change than a theme that does not have the same options.
STEP 1: Develop some ideas for how you would like your website to look.
- What color or colors would you like used in your site?
- Do you have a logo? What colors will work best with that logo?
- How many columns do you need for your content?
- Will you want images to be a main focus of your home page?
- Where would you like your navigation/ menu?
STEP 2: click on: http://wordpress.org/extend/themes
This will take you to the WordPress Free Theme Directory.
Another great option to view different themes: http://www.woothemes.com/product-category/themes/?prod_cat[]=100&s=&post_type=product
STEP 3: Begin searching for the right template.
- Use the “Search Themes” area near the top of the home page
- You can click “check out our new filter and tag interface” to search with further options
- Select the color(s) and number of columns
- The “Width”, “Features” and “Subject” selections can be left blank. If you decide to select some of these filter selections you are more likely to select a template that will require some customization. This is a benefit if you are comfortable making the required alterations. If VC Web manages the customization there will be a $95/per hour change, unless covered by a separate maintenance contract.
- We would suggest taking an initial hour sorting through some themes that you like just based on appearance in the thumbnail image.
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- Next, use that list and start pulling up the larger image and reading the description and tags. If you don’t like what you see, then eliminate that theme from your list.
- Make sure to use the “Preview” button to see the theme.
- Repeat until you find a winner!
- Ask coworkers, friends and family their opinions
Paying for a WordPress site:
If you are not able to find a free theme that fulfills your needs, you also have the option of paying for a prebuilt theme. If you Google ‘WordPress Themes’, or a similar keyword, Google will lead you to links for sites offering more WordPress themes available for purchase. After finding the theme that fits you best, you will be responsible for paying and sending us the file or link you get after the payment has been made.