Some bloggers often take for granted the design of their websites. Since WordPress is perhaps one of the best web blogging platforms in the blogosphere, it is important that one takes some time in choosing the right theme or design. SEO-wise, WordPress still rules the blogging world because of its permalinks and it allows bloggers to easily add tags or link titles that all play an important factor in optimization.
Blogging on WordPress is favored by more people because themes are easily customizable and are free. There are hundreds to thousands of free themes available but there are also premium themes you can choose from.
Here are some tips on how to choose your WordPress theme for a more successful blogging career:
1. Identify the look and feel of your website. Simply put, decide on how you want your blog to appeal to your readers. If it’s a personal blog, choose a theme that you know you can customize or tweak. But if you’re gunning for a more corporate blog, it is best you hire professional blog designers.
2. Decide yourself if you wish to monetize through your blog. If you do, you may look for themes that allot spaces for more banners, buttons, and ads.
3. Identify how many people also use the same theme. While customizing the website if easy, not all bloggers are able to personalize their blog designs. If you choose a more popular theme, you may have a hard time standing out. However, a popular theme often is supported very well.
4. Choose a more search engine-friendly website theme. Such WordPress theme is best to use should you wish an optimized blog. Your well-optimized website could rank well on the likes of Google because SEO is the current name of the game.
5. Check if your theme is widget friendly. Widgets allow bloggers to easily change the code with just a click or a drag. But remember, changing the code directly is still better.
6. Determine if your blog entries are easily readable. Try posting 2 or more sample blogs so you can see how the entries and comments can be viewed.
If there’s one thing I’ve learned after more than 3 years of blogging from blogging — it’s the importance of changing the blog design. If you don’t change often, people can get bored with it. You should learn how to attract readers and give them a reason to always check your website. After all, isn’t that one of the many reasons why you blog? To let people know what’s on your mind.
Interesting ideas here, but I’m pretty sure that you’re not allowed to monetize your blog thru WordPress. Something worth checking to make sure though…
Yes, you can monetize your WordPress blog. WP has a plugin for AdSense. That’s monetizing, isn’t it?
There are plenty of WordPress blogs being monetized. They sell banner ads, links, use mail list opt-in boxes, sell e-books, use affiliate URLs, etc. Any monetization method used online can be used with WordPress.
Of course, we’re talking about WordPress.org, not dot com. I don’t think you can monetize through WordPress.com.