The theme of the blog is an important component of the blog itself. A theme is like the painting job in a car (denotes personal preferences and inclinations of its owner!) but, in blogging is more than that. It is part of the identity of its author(s) and an identifiable sign of its purpose. It is part of a branding!
Personally. in my blog, I use a tweaked version of the GetNoticed Theme for WordPress, an excellent theme designed by Michael Hyatt and Andrew Buckman.
What Is A Theme Anyway?
In blogging, and especially in WordPress-based blogging, the theme is one of the major components of a good design publishing mechanism (a good analogy, I like a lot, is given the description of the components of the Genesis Framework [not an affiliate link] at StudioPress page!).
Such publishing mechanism should have:
- A hardware and software infrastructure (servers, routers, operation system, etc) to host the operational software components (usually provided by the hosting provider, you have chosen to host your blog. Such providers may be GoDaddy, Bluehost, DreamHost, etc.),
- A content engine (as the WordPress, Google’s Blogger, Tumblr, medium, SETT, etc). This engine, in collaboration with a database (MySQL usually – but not always – for the WordPress), it is a content management system which is responsible for the organization, the editing, the publication and the modification of the content,
- A well-organized structure of essential components (a set of ready-made components, mechanisms, procedures, responsible for the major part of executing a bulk of common and frequent used tasks) – a framework like the Genesis Framework (not an affiliate link), the Headway, the Thesis, the Ultimatum, among others, and
- A consistent set of colors, UI (User Interface) elements and ways of interaction – i.e. a theme.
What Should A Good Theme Have?
A well-designed theme should have at least:
- Unique Identity,
- Purpose,
- Simplicity,
- SEO (Search Engine Optimization) intrinsic mechanisms,
- Compliance with the good design principles:
- Ease of installation and operation,
- Usability,
- Operation across multiple devices (Desktop PCs, Tablets, Mobile Phones, etc),
- Clear and consistent user interface,
- Advanced customization facilities,
- Accommodation of various content types,
- Clear metaphors, and
- Ease of access, editing, publication, and usage.
- Professional graphics,
- Consistent interaction with the user related to his/her actions,
- Multimedia Elements management mechanisms,
- A knowledge/content strategy,
- A professional set of matching colors and UI elements, and, finally,
- Compliance with the marketing strategy and branding of its author, company, organization, etc
Why Is A Theme So Important?
A well-designed theme expresses the personality, intentions and character of its designer and of those choose it for using it! Usually, it is part of the brand of a person, organization, or community.
But its value lays in its special features and components, that can facilitate the life of its user, and provide him/her with advantages in propagating and disseminating more easily and effortlessly his or her message!