I like my current GlossyBlue WordPress theme, but it is surprising how often you come across another web site using the same theme. I guess that is the nature of WordPress themes, especially the more popular ones.
I’ve read posts before on improving your blog which discuss the pros and cons of custom versus premade themes. I can understand this point. A blog with a unique theme helps develop a personal and unique brand. This will help leave a lasting impression with your visitors and help them recognize your blog next time they visit.
I’d love to be able to design a WordPress theme from the ground up, or maybe take a basic theme like Sandbox and customize it, but of course it is finding the time. I’d also need to learn CSS too! I doubt very much I would have the time to pursue such a task. Maybe my best option would be to modify my existing theme to make it more personal. Of course I could also wait for my Google Ads to generate sufficient revenue to afford to buy a theme 
What do people think on this topic? Does a web site with a unique theme matter at all or are you more interested in web site content?
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5 responses so far ↓
1 Chris Rohde // May 15, 2007 at 7:59 pm
Dean,
I’ve never given much thought to the different designs I see out there, aside from the articles that occasionally pass my reader.
Maybe it is the fact that I get most of my news in a reader and have little interaction with the individual pages though.
I am a huge fan of the template I just found the other day and is now in use at my site, the AJAX-y goodness still astounds me.
on a side note, might you email me? I had a couple questions about your plugins.
2 Dean // May 15, 2007 at 8:53 pm
Good point Chris. I forgot that a lot of people view their news in a reader, only clicking through to the actual web site to perform actions like leave a comment, etc.
Nice theme on your web site BTW
3 Douglas Karr // May 16, 2007 at 2:28 am
I only think they matter if part of your brand is expressing your web expertise. I do think it brings some authority with it at that point.
4 Pallab De // May 18, 2007 at 6:41 am
I very much doubt it. In my opinion what matters is usability. The theme must be attractive, clean and easy on the eyes.
I use the fresh theme. Its also quite common.
But, yeah you shouldnt use the default Kubrick or K2 with the default stylesheet.
5 Dean // May 18, 2007 at 7:23 am
I agree. Usability is very important. Some sites have lots of useful information, but if it is not easy to find that information or navigate around the web site, then it can be difficult.
I’ve tried tweaking this site to make information easier to find, like introducing an archives page, but there is still more I need to do. I’m not entirely happy with the home page currently. That needs some more work.
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