After responding to a question about WordPress an acquaintance suggested I post this to a hubpage and share with others. So, here it is. I hope you find it helpful.

You chose to blog with WordPress-- my favorite. Good choice!

The current trend in blog layouts is one or two columns to the right of the main post content. This is also my very favorite layout and seems to work well for monetizing.

Here are some examples:

http://www.shoemoney.com/

http://www.problogger.net/blog

http://www.johnchow.com/

http://www.pjmommy.com

Free templates:

http://themes.wordpress.net/

Free template design tool:

http://www.cssez.com/

Custom blog design:

http://www.uniqueblogdesigns.com/

Here is a great link for WP plugins:

http://slickmania.com/best-of-wordpress-plugins/

These are my absolute must have plugins (links can be found on site above):

Akismet

All in one SEO

Do-Follow

Show Top Commentators

WP-database Backup

My must have features:

Feedburner

ShareThis

I hope you find this info helpful. Happy blogging!