by Susanna Perkins

Created on: February 26, 2010   Last Updated: February 28, 2010

Because of WordPress’ popularity, there are thousands of free themes available for your WordPress blog. Hundreds of premium themes – themes that you pay to use – are also available.

Choosing the best theme for your WordPress blog is not an easy task, but it’s not impossible either. Before you begin looking at themes, know the answers to these three questions:

Know why you’re blogging. Are you keeping on online journal that your family and friends will read? Your theme will be very different from that of a business which uses a blog to disseminate or update information. Will your blog be mostly text, mostly photos, or mostly videos? The best theme for a photo blog is definitely not the best for a written blog. Will your blog include advertising or offer a product or service for sale?

 If your blog will be primarily an online journal, your choice is simple. Go to http://wordpress.org/extend/themes and look at 1- and 2-column theme designs. Choose a color scheme that matches your personality or interests, and you’ll be all set.

If your blog will involve business, you’ll need to spend a bit more time choosing a theme. You’ll usually want at least 2 columns, and the theme should be widget ready.

If there is a blog you like, scroll down to the bottom of their home page and look to see if there’s a link to the theme they use. It might say something like, “powered by WordPress and the XYZ theme.” Click on it to go to the theme’s home page where you’ll be able to download it.

Search at wordpress.org, and also on Google and other search engines. If your business can be easily described, you can search for themes created especially for your type of business. A search for a real estate or travel theme, for example, will give you lots of choices.

If your blog isn’t so easy to categorize, search for “free WordPress theme,” and start looking at the articles which feature lists of good themes. Smashing Magazine posted an excellent piece last year featuring 100 free themes, divided into useful categories.

If you have already installed WordPress, use its built-in theme search feature. From your administration page, click on “Appearance,” then “Add new themes.” You can sort on color, number of columns, and special features.

You may need to experiment with several themes before making your final selection. Fortunately, WordPress makes this easy to do.

First, upload a few posts, photos or videos to your blog so you have something to look at. then install the themes you want to view. In your administration Dashboard, click on “Appearance,” then “Themes.” You’ll see all your installed themes, and one will be selected as your “Current Theme.” Click the “Preview” link under each of the other themes in turn. You’ll be able to see your content displayed in that theme.

Once you’ve decided which one you like the best, just click “Activate” and it will become your Current Theme, available for the world to see.

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