bewildered by theme choice

  • I’m a WordPress newbie (although I have some web development experience) and I’m just bewildered by knowing how to choose a theme or craft the site that I’m aiming for. I created a mockup with jpgs that I made in Photoshop to try to give the sense I want, but I’m not going to post the link here in case it violates the terms. (If it’s okay, please let me know.)

    I’ll say that I have a math tutoring site, looking for a clean, simple look that allows me to position text and images in a sort of “storyboard flow” on the front page, allow with featuring a video. Otherwise the front page will have a menu with links to other pages and to a blog.

    When I look at themes, what annoys me is that they all seemed designed to look perfect with their demo images and words, but I don’t know how to make them look good with *my* images and words. None of them look exactly like I’m going for.

    If I’m allowed to post the link to my “mockup” site, I can do that. Otherwise I’d like some suggestions for how a newbie navigates the bewildering world of WordPress themes.

    Oh yeah — Gutenberg or not? Another question.

Viewing 5 replies - 1 through 5 (of 5 total)

  • I created a mockup with jpgs that I made in Photoshop to try to give the sense I want, but I’m not going to post the link here in case it violates the terms. (If it’s okay, please let me know.)

    Yes, please post a link.

    When I look at themes, what annoys me is that they all seemed designed to look perfect with their demo images and words, but I don’t know how to make them look good with *my* images and words. None of them look exactly like I’m going for.

    What do you mean by this? Most of the themes are not too hard to customize. I’ve seen a lot of people with very little design experience turn a WordPress theme into something really cool through customizations.

    Since Gutenberg is still new I wouldn’t recommend starting off with it. It’s better to get acquainted with the basics first. Although that’s just my opinion.

    Thread Starter michaelmossey

    (@michaelmossey)

    I guess I’m not very experienced customizing themes, but from what I can tell, I should probably start with a theme that’s not too far removed from what I’m aiming for, right?

    And should I combine it with any special editor widgets?

    Here’s what I’m thinking of:

    mockup of site

    Any free themes that look like this? That are responsive-ready?

    thanks,
    Mike

    I guess I’m not very experienced customizing themes, but from what I can tell, I should probably start with a theme that’s not too far removed from what I’m aiming for, right?

    Definitely, this will make creating your site much easier.

    And should I combine it with any special editor widgets?

    Do you mean like a site builder? There are some very good site builders for WordPress out there you can install.

    Any free themes that look like this? That are responsive-ready?

    Does it have to be a free theme? The reason I ask is because there are a lot more options when it comes to paid themes.

    Looking at your mockup it wouldn’t be hard at all to create it using drag and drop blocks. I would look into free WordPress site builder plugins.

    Thread Starter michaelmossey

    (@michaelmossey)

    Actually, it can be a paid theme, yes. I could use a paid site builder plugin if that’s better, as well. What do you recommend for a site builder plugin?

    I think for the design you’re trying to achieve a site builder plugin would be better (unless you can find a theme that will work with your design). Unfortunately, I can’t recommend a site builder plugin. Some names that come to mind are Elementor, Beaver Builder, and Divi although there are others out there. I believe Elementor and Beaver Builder have a free tier you can demo and see if you like it. Not sure about Divi though.

    • This reply was modified 6 years, 3 months ago by Wurpe Hosting.
Viewing 5 replies - 1 through 5 (of 5 total)
  • The topic ‘bewildered by theme choice’ is closed to new replies.