If you are a regular reader of this blog, you more than likely noticed I changed my WordPress theme a few weeks ago. Changing your theme is super simple!
From your WordPress dashboard, you simply click on Appearance, then Themes, and then Install Themes at the top.You can then browse themes or upload a theme’s file and WordPress will do all the installation work for you! (In the olden days of WordPress, you would have had to do the work by yourself – with the help of an FTP program…)
But anyway – back to the point! The new theme that I am using is the WP-Glide theme from Solostream. This theme is very versatile – and super easy to use. I would recommend this theme to both experienced users and those new to WordPress.
Here are some of the reasons why:
Lots of Layout Options: You can choose to have your posts arranged in a variety of ways from the box style that I am using to a more standard blog layout or even have the posts arranged by category instead of by date.
If you look at the demo site, you will see the option of having the home page feature a few boxes of basic information displayed, with a rotating gallery preview of posts, versus the way I have it set up on my site with no gallery and simply my latest posts.
There are also lots of built-in ad spots! You can choose to display them or hide them. If you display them, you can put your own ads in them or you can sell these ad spots to others and earn some extra income from your blog.
Like I said, there are lots of possibilities with this one!
No Coding Needed: You do not need to know how to change the theme’s code to change the theme’s appearance. Whether it’s the background color, the font, or layout, all of the options are found in the theme’s setting menu. To get to this menu, just click on Appearance and you’ll see it on the left hand side. Click on the link and you’ll be able to control everything about your theme’s appearance! (great for beginners!)
Lots Of Help Available: Solostream provides premium themes . This means you have to pay for them. This also means that you will have access to a support forum where you can ask questions and receive answers from other people using the same theme, as well as the theme’s developers. You will also have access to written tutorials and videos to help you with the set up and customization process.
Lots of Little Extras: There are lots of little extras – like suggested plugins to make using this theme super easy. For example, there is a plugin that automatically resizes the photo you use in your post to display a smaller thumbnail version on the home page. You can also choose to not display a thumbnail at all. The related post plugin helps keep your content in front of your readers, rather than having it lost in the archives. Sure – you can find all of these plugins yourself and use them on any blog, but isn’t it nice to have a list of recommend plugins that will help make your theme run better?
All in all, this is a great theme! Solostream has many themes to choose from – I’m sure there is one that will fit your needs and taste. And they will all be as easy to use!