- Easily Change your WordPress Themes.
The most important thing to do to monetize your site is to have a simple theme that will not distract the surfer from the content, one that offers only one way out – I.E., the link you put there to monetize your site, whether it be Adsense or Affiliate Marketing, or the link to your own Sales Page.
- Simple (Ugly) WP Themes
My concept here is that by using the (ugly?) default Word Press theme and modifying only three things, you can create totally individual, functional and aesthetically pleasing blogs very fast. This idea (using ugly blogs) is heavily promoted by monetizing Guru “Grizzly” Brears in his authoritative Make Money for Beginners blog, and widely accepted by those in the know. I have been doing this for some time with my new blogs, and have developed a ‘noob’ proof system to do so.
- Fast Upgrades
A blog page consists of three basic elements, the Header, the Body, and the Footer, and in the default WP theme each of these elements are built on backgrounds; kubrickheader.jpg, kubrickfooter.jpg, and kubrickbgwide.jpg. By editing these 3 pics in your favourite photo program, then saving them to the proper folder [wp-content/themes/default/images] you can change the entire look of your blog without fussing with any tricky CSS or HTML code. A really magical bonus for this is that whenever you update your WP version, you need only re-upload these 3 pics to restore your personalised upgrade. How about that? – a 30 second upgrade!
- Plugin-Proof Modifications
By using the default WP theme you are guaranteeing that there will be no complications with plugins whenever WP brings out a new security upgrade, and this seems to need to be done more frequently to baffle those evil ‘exploiters’. Your plugins will always work perfectly with the default theme.
- ‘Check Out’ here!
The other really important thing to do with your WordPress theme is set up your widgets so that only content and your key [monetizing] link(s) are visible ‘above the fold’; that is when the page is first viewed and BEFORE any scrolling takes place – that way, the non-serious, social traffic surfers can exit the page with one click, and hopefully it will be your “pay-off” link! Viola, Payola! Visit Costa and get another slant on this idea of simple modifications for your Word Press Theme.
- Example
Adelaide Gift Company (Modded Default WP Theme!)
Here is one of my blogs that use the method I have been outlining here. It looks dramatically different from the WP default theme, but is really just that theme, with some basic ‘PhotoShopping” applied to the backgrounds.
- Update -
The maker of this theme I have used for a couple of years has disappeared and the theme would not update to the latest [2.8.4] version, so I have adapted the standard WP default theme to look just like my original Blog. This again illustrates what can easily be done to the basic WP Kubrick theme. If you have problem updating WP, check out WordPress Permalink 404 Error. I used the simple methods outlined above, but had to do quite a bit of tweaking to the style sheet to get the font colors to look like my original favourite ‘BinaryBonsai’ Business Theme.
Tags: Default Theme, Modify WordPress Themes, Monetize Your Site, Ugly WP Themes
Hi Rhys, Great tip here. Could be applied to other themes as well.
Reply to CostaCosta´s last blog ..How To Remove Dates In Your WordPress Blog
Sometime ‘ugly’ or default theme might get us to the top spot of major search engine. However this type of theme might not help you to sustain visitors for longer period time as visitor might find your blog unattractive.
Reply to IrelandIreland´s last blog ..Make money with paid online surveys
Quite right Ireland, but that is the choice, ugly and profitable or attactive and popular!
Reply to RhysThat is so true…
I use to change carefully all my sites, but i made them ugly.
In some of my adsense sites, i can get more than 20% ctr. Do you think that too much optimization can put my adsense account in danger? I´m a little afraid.
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@CP
Reply to RhysHey, but with a 20% ctr you can put up with a little danger, I think!
Thanks for the basic run through on theme modification.
I just starting looking a wordpress recently after speaking with a close friend who blogs often. It sounds as thought adjustable themes are one of the features that really set wordpress apart.
I look forward to opening up the hood and seeing what’s inside.
Reply to Russell at Advanced ScientificsIt is quit frustrating when we have to choose either to go with pretty look or to go with ugly look. Anyway if ugly look will bring in visitors, why not!….
For all SEO tips and advice, one thing need to be remember is to not let your work on your blog presentation make you forget about your blog content quality.
Reply to Online MoneyOnline Money´s last blog ..Get indexed within 48 hours or less on Google
Good Topic. There is an SEO theory that the plain and simple website (Ugly as you called it) are actually very effective. They tend to have higher conversion rates and lower bounce rates. So, like I said…Good Topic!
Reply to Ira@Small Chest FreezersNice information in this post. How much Photoshopping do you have to do? And how would you go about making a template for a review site? I have seen several for sale, but am real interested in making my own.
Reply to Marco PoloMarco Polo´s last blog ..Specs Appeal
@Marco Polo,
The Photoshop editing involved is to cover over the original default theme with your own colors and background pictures/design.
Word Press Default IS a template in itself, just post your review text and go!
Reply to RhysGenerally i use free wordpress theme. Thanks for information about modify wordpress theme.
Reply to Salon Clearwater@SalonC
There are heaps of free themes, the real point here is that by using the WP default theme you don’t get caught out by a “free” theme that will not upgrade to the next WP version.
This has just happened to me, and I have just finished adapting the default theme to what you see here now.
Basing your whole site on the default theme makes you ‘bullet-proof’!
Reply to RhysI have no idea how to modify wordpress themes. Thanks for information about it.
Reply to Management TrainingThanks for the tips. I think they can be applied to other themes as well.
Also like @Ira said above, plain and simple sites give better SEO results.
Reply to Make Quick moneyMake Quick money´s last blog ..5 Tips to Becoming a Better Leader
I am confused about one thing. what did you mean when you said, “The maker of this theme has disappeared and the theme would not update to the latest WP version…”. If it’s a default WP theme wouldn’t it still work? – Thanks, Dave
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@Dave no it was his own “Business” theme and his website (keralamonline.info) is now defunct.
This points up the danger of investing too much effort in any non- standard blog theme, you run the risk of having to totally re-invent it!
Reply to Rhys- Rhys
Thanks for the tutorial, i will try to modify my theme.
Denis
Reply to Logam muliaLogam mulia´s last blog ..Harga Emas Hari Ini, Jumat 9 Oktober 2009
As a visitor, I find well designed WP more interesting than the ugly one. Indeed, theme can actually help visitors like me to conclude whether it’s a worth reading site or not by just evaluating the theme.
Reply to Jon McDowell@Jon -
Depends on your prime focus – if it is MMO then ugly is good, because the visitors click anything to escape, hopefully one of your ads, but if you want repeat visitors as I do, then a well designed coherent site is best!
Reply to RhysLuckily for me I am able to code, so for me modifying wordpress themes comes relatively easy, but I know for others it can be difficult, but the biggest thing I would suggest is to just get out there and try it, and get experience, the more experience the easier it becomes to modify wordpress themes =D
Till then,
Jea
Reply to used tiresPretty has its place but function and usability should always be a priority. I like the default theme and if you know enough about using Photoshop or Gimp then you can customize some of the elements to make your site stand out from the crowd, like creating an eye-catching header.
Thanks for sharing Rhys,
Karl
Reply to Karl FoxleyKarl Foxley´s last blog ..Blogging For Business: Promote Your Brand While Building Relationships
@Karl
You are on the money when you say that; “function and usability should always be a priority”.
My really big point here is that by working with the DEFAULT theme you are virtually guaranteeing that future version updates and plugins will ALWAYS work with your modified theme. I hate it when the Blog crashes after a simple update.
Reply to Rhyshey rhys, i have one doubt. can we modify premium wordpress themes?? I have seen many people are providing free downloads..If i download any premium wordpress theme will be a copyright problem??
Please let me know.
Reply to Link buildingthanks
Link building´s last blog ..Link building services
@LB
I think every theme there is is some form of ‘modified theme’, right since word press was invented. The only problems are if you try and re-sell someone else’s work as your own. Modifying any theme from the public domain is quite OK
Reply to RhysIt is Really a great sharing.I read this article.It is really impressive.It is really a great info of Easily Modify Word Press Theme…..
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Hi,
Reply to field hockey rulesIn this post I have learn all the basics of WordPress Child Themes: WordPress Child Theme file structure, how to make any WordPress Theme a blank framework, how to import Parent Theme CSS styles, how to override Parent Theme styles, and how to override Parent Theme Template files>It is really a great thought….
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You definitely want to modify your blog’s theme from the standard default theme. To attract and retain readers, you need to stand out from the crowd. A nice looking theme not only keeps your visitors happy, but it also creates a great first impression.
Reply to Laptop Briefcase@LB
We could start a controversy here! I like to believe that readers come here for the sharpness of my wit, the pungency of my comments, and the sheer logicality of my posting, not just to admire my Photoshop and design skills.
Generally speaking, I never notice a blog theme unless it obtrudes, like it is hard to read [dark background]; font too small; too wide to read without excessive head movement; and so on. I am there for the content, and I want to ingest it without pain.
Therefore I believe that a simple theme serves it up better, and it certainly pays off when it comes to upgrade time. It is real pain when your fancy theme or its plugins break under upgrade and you site goes down!
A standard blog theme has readable graphics, to tell you about the author, sensible basic navigation and a search box, so you can actually find stuff, and not so many distracting widgets that you are confused. I hate fancy themes that are hard to navigate. I guess that there are surfers out there who are impressed with eye candy and novelty stuff – but I don’t post to entertain them, I post to offer pertinent content to valid searchers.
Reply to RhysRhys
I think that everybody who have a blog wants it to have unique design in the blogosphere, because unique style means superiority and it’s cool.
Reply to kirra apartmentsGenerally i use free wordpress theme. Thanks for information about modify wordpress theme.
Reply to Teknoloji haberlerihey you cam modify every style with this theme it is ataualpha this is perfect
Reply to VitaminsVitamins´s last blog ..Vitamins
@Vitamins. This proves my point – I just looked at that theme site, and I see a whole lot of posts about the theme broke when upgraded to 2.9. Who needs this sort of hassle? This is WHY you stay with the default theme – it won’t break on upgrades!
Reply to Rhysoh I see. maybe I need to install my WP theme for a an easier access in my site
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[...] site deals with SEO (search engine optimisation); web-site design; and with keyword coherence (a logical keyword strategy). We delve into things like Google [...]
I’m not sure if you know, but all the images on your site are showing: “The owner of this website has very good taste…….” What’s up with that? I think you need to edit your .htaccess file.
Reply to FlorenceFlorence´s last blog ..7 Simple Weight Loss Tips for Teenagers
@Hi Florence.
Thanks for the ‘Heads up’. I like to make nice graphics for my posts, and the penalty is a lot of cheeky types “Hot Linking” to my images. I’ve been experimenting with the HotLink control in CPanel to stop this.
– Rhys
Reply to RhysThat’s a cool tips. However, I don’t use Wordpress on my site because it eats a lot of CPU resources on my Hostgator hosting which makes my site useless when traffic spikes. This is the reason why I am a blogger blog user instead.
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@Pacquiao
Here is a ‘flat file” alternative that uses almost nil bandwidth
Reply to Rhys