Choosing a WordPress Theme

There are thousands of WordPress themes available today. They range from extremely simple to extremely complex. They also range from free to extremely expensive. It seems like there’s a solution for everyone, but how in the world do you figure out what’s best for you?

A few years back, a new kind of WordPress theme started to emerge – the framework. Up until this point, your theme served as both the code and the design for your blog. With the introduction of WordPress frameworks, that was no longer the case.

The framework handles all the complicated code stuff. A skin (or child theme) creates the design for you.

Why is this important?

In the past, if you wanted to change how your blog looked, you had to change the underlying code. Either you got a new theme, or you hacked away at your current one. In either case, it’s a dangerous game to play. Search engines are notoriously temperamental – any major changes of underlying code can upset them, and send your rankings to the toilet. Sometimes this is temporary, but other times it can be permanent.

Frameworks let you change the design while leaving the underlying code alone.

This is a fundamental change, and it’s crucial. Instead of hacking away at your theme’s code, just install a new skin. Done. The important stuff stayed exactly the same, but your site looks totally new.

OK, which framework should I go with? I always use (and recommend) Thesis. It’s powerful, efficient, easy to use, and wildly configurable. It has great options for search engine optimization, and gives you a ton of control.

-By: Rob M

GL3 Media is a SanAntonio Web Design [http://www.gl3media.com/] company. I create websites with Thesis and WordPress. With this combination, your site has the best possible foundation. Whether you need a basic blog setup, PSD to Thesis customization, or a completely custom web design, GL3 Media has the skills to get the job done.