Four WordPress Themes and Two WordPress Plugins Go Into A Bar…

When you first start blogging in WordPress it can be a daunting task just to pick a theme.  Themes are what makes your blog look somewhat unique or completely unique.  WordPress itself started its theme directory back up with some pretty nice free themes. However, there are also free themes scattered throughout the Internet as well, all you have to do is a Google search for “free wordpress themes”.

There’s also professional themes that you can buy.  Some of these themes include options that don’t come with the free themes like support from the theme developer, forums where you can discuss the options of a theme, specific optimizations that might help your blog and you so you don’t have to worry about certain details of your blog.

Thesis Theme

I recently bought the new Thesis Theme for WordPress by Chris Pearson.  This is a professional theme that’s been optimized.  That means they’ve spent time making it look professional as compared to a lot of the free themes you’ll find, as well as providing quite a bit of functionality so you can mold the theme into what you want it to be.  There’s also built-in features like SEO-optimization that you don’t have to worry about while blogging.  With this increased functionality comes a bit of complexity that can be daunting for non-techy-type folks.

But that’s okay, if you’re a new blogger and it all seems like you’re in a haze right now, just pick a theme from the WordPress Theme Directory and get blogging.  Don’t fall into the analysis paralysis trap that stops people cold from making a choice and moving forward.

I have not used the Thesis Theme yet because I’m looking through it on my PC.  I like to dig deep into theme code to see what makes it tick.

Fresh News Theme

Another WordPress theme I bought is the Fresh News Theme by WooThemes.  Again, I admire theme developers and I’ve heard of these guys before and follow what themes they’re creating.  Again, I like to dig.

Cool Free Themes

I also ran into the WordPress Fun Theme at Smashing Magazine.  There’s a bit of configuration involved but worth the extra time it takes to make it work correctly.  I think this is just a great theme right down to the unisex-looking cartoon character.   🙂

While at Smashing Magazine check out the Fervens Theme.

Two WordPress Plugins

While installing and playing around with the WordPress Fun Theme above I disovered two plugins that were in the instructions.  One is the WP-Most Commented Posts by Ja, RAFi and the other is the WordPress-Ready Contact Form v. 2.0WP by Mike Cherim.

Both plugins are not unique and there are other plugins that provide the same functionality.  The contact form plugin has a lengthy configuration page which makes it both nice for the more experienced WordPress users and at the same time it can be again, daunting for a beginning WordPress user.

photo credit: ground.zero