HUB-FOLK: I humbly request your input on quality wordpress themes

1. 86

   Len Cannonposted 13 years ago

   Yeah, there all all types of themes available, both free and premium themes, but there's so many opinions and options I'd love to hear what people here have used personally.
   
   I have a few hosted sites that are running on WordPress and I've already made a few decisions for some of them, but others I'm struggling to find something I like.
   
   The two I'm not sure on are going to be primarily Amazon Stores with a number of different products. What do you guys prefer using for straight up sales?  I don't mind a premium theme but the cheaper (and freer) the better, naturally.
   
   I really enjoy the Arras theme for content based sites, though: it looks really great with only about an hour or two of tweaking per site.

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2. 60

   TNBposted 13 years ago

   If I remember correctly, sunforged once said that the best wp theme (in terms of customization) is thesis.

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   1. 87

      Marisa Wrightposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      Internet guru-types always like Thesis, because it has such an endless array of choices in how you can configure it.
      
      To my mind, too much complexity in a theme is just plain annoying, and I know there are others who feel the same way - like Lissie, for instance:
      
      http://lissowerbutts.com/frugal-v-thesi … -compared/
      
      She likes Frugal - I haven't tried it.

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      1. 70

         Bill Manningposted 13 years agoin reply to this

         Yeah, too many options make you unsure of what to make. I just get whatever looks good, then I do my own CSS tweaking.
         
         I also always stick with fixed width. Too many fluid width themes look like crap on different sized monitors. My 2 cents

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3. 70

   Bill Manningposted 13 years ago

   Yeah it's amazing how 90% of WP themes look soooo ugly!
   
   I myself love the 3 column types, with a sidebar on each side. Gives you lots of area to place ads and links.
   
   I can't say any one is great, you'll have to search around. There are dozens of places to get free WP themes.
   
   Just inspect the code, I got one that had adsense already coded into the comment post!

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4. 77

   sunforgedposted 13 years ago

   The plus with Thesis which should def accompany any recommendation about it - is that the ability to modify it does NOT require any css or php knowledge and there is  a very helpful support community that can assist you in tweaking it to become anything you like.
   
   Its true , the large amount of options available can be daunting. Thesis is not really just a theme - its a "framework" Genesis is another good framework.
   
   I do use other themes now as I am soon going to hit triple digits in published sites, I like the elegant themes suite , around 30 customizable themes for $19 a year , all with forums and broad customization options.
   
   Both also have direct seo functions like being able to control meta info on a page by page basis.
   
   You could just as easily add all in one seo plugin to get the same seo functionality though.
   
   I should add "internet-guru" types probably like Thesis because it offers a $30 commission on sales! :)Most of the sites that promote that they use thesis, look like they have used none of the customization options - most of my sites you would never guess are even wordpress, yet know they are thesis.
   
   There are also Thesis skins which are "CHILD THEMES" that can be used to radically change the design of your site without knowing any html/php/css
   
   but thesis costs between 70 and 160 so isnt really necessary for your first sites, most free themes will do

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5. 64

   Mishaposted 13 years ago

   My favorites are Semiologic paid and Atahualpa free. Both are extremely flexible.

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6. 58

   TerryGlposted 13 years ago

   I like themes you can change. I read somewhere once that wp themes can generate a duplicate content penalty on their own. Especially when everyone uses the same theme.
   
   No matter what theme you use, you must make the changes. Watch the code to make sure links don't come up before the content, like home about us policy tabs etc.
   
   So if you cannot crack that position 5 barrier on the serps, have a look at the theme.

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7. 80

   cindyvineposted 13 years ago

   Okay, I admit it, I am an ignoramus.  I think I need to change the theme on my site cindyvine.com but what I want to know, is if you change the theme does the content move with it?  Or do I have to save the content and then reload it.  How does it work when you change a them?  As you can see, I tried with my limited knowledge, to make this site myself and it needs some expertise and tweaking that I don't have a clue on how to do.  So, any advice would be gratefully accepted!

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   1. 0

      archbishop1posted 13 years agoin reply to this

      It should change, but you will want to look it over pretty good because sometimes it may not come together correctly with some themes. You can always change it back to the original theme though. I went from twentyten to arras and it did not do very good. I wonder if it does better when you stay within the Word Press provided themes versus using templates customized by others. Risk is part of the reward I suppose.

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8. 58

   TerryGlposted 13 years ago

   Yes Cindy your content will move with it. Might have to look at a few plugins but all should work ok. You should always download a copy of your site to your hard drive anyway as a precaution and a matter of course. Also take the database as well.

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9. 77

   skyfireposted 13 years ago

   Headway is my favorite WP theme. Other than that Genesis, Thesis and Thematic frameworks are in my top list.
   
   Other themes that i like - Elegant, Mimbo, Athemia, Vigilance.

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10. 0

    archbishop1posted 13 years ago

    I use the new titan pro and love it. It costs about $70, but you can install the free version and use that. I found the premium to be worth the money though. I am a web developer and find thesis to be almost too plain so I went with titan instead. Thesis has a killer following and support group, which is hard to pass up.

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