How to choose a free wordpress theme

Hello all...
In reading throughout this forum, I'm still searching/hoping for info help with looking t* look like once you've selected it and begin customizing.
For instance, I notice that some sites show up as full page while other sites show a centered type page with a background. (for example this forum page is centered, Lynn's ClickNewz site is full page.

Also, I read that some themes offer the ability to change header. For instance looking up at Lynn's header here, she's inserted a photo, w/ some transparency
and has different type fonts for her wording. How do I learn that...find that process...where?

I've read so many *help* sites and I feel as I'm spinning my wheels for this is my first obstacle and I'm trying to *kick it out of my way*....to move forward.
Anyone w/ suggestions, help or ideas would be my blessing of the day!

Thank so much,
Gayle Fox

Gayle,
Lynn had her site and blog professionally designed by someone. I would probably recommend a graphic designer to at least do a header for you and they will give you code to put it in your header file in Wordpress. Or sometimes they will do all of that for you.

For now, you could just find a free Wordpress theme that would work so you can get your blog started and get content up.

Well, <looking shameful> I have now answered my own question on the page width issues. It was right in front of my eyes.
Still.... desperate (almost) to understand that when I find a theme that I like, mouse over and open it... they show us a small site...what the site *could look like* and then when *previewing*...it just comes up bare. There must be a trick to this.....Please help! :)
Gayle

Gayle,
Where are you looking at themes?

I just went to http://wordpress.org/extend/themes and clicked on the Atahualpa theme (see under most popular, 2nd one) and when I click on the image of the theme to preview it opens up full size for me. Not sure what is happening on your end though.

Angie, I'm at the same spot and your right, it does open up full page. The first example shows an example of a site with content...when you preview it opens to the usual blank...most of the time with a row boat in water.
I'm not exactly a newbie but this just has me stuck as to be able to visualize with actually downloading each and every one I like to try it out.
I'm trying to learn what to look for in the descriptions....they offers lots of stuff, but how do I tell if the one I *think* I like will look like I want it to.
Do you see where the page before preview is different?
Hate to be a pain.... sure thank you for taking the time to offer help.
Pressing on....
:)
Gayle

Gayle,
Now I see what is happening because if I click on the images of each theme on the main page, I also keep getting the row boat theme. Very weird. And now all the themes on the right that I click on have the row boat. You're not losing your mind LOL

I'm not sure what to say at this point other than to tell us what type of theme you might be looking for and we'll try to locate something to go with your niche. I do like the Atahualpa theme though and you could start with that one for now. In the theme itself you can choose 2 column, colors, etc.

And you're not being a pain *wink*

Angie,
Your a sweetie for validating my sanity, that's a slippery slope at times! LOL
I'll give the Atahualpa a try to see how to navigate the ADMIN. If I don't love it, can I just delete the whole thing and start over?
That is the best way, just jump in and do it! (only if the results can be undone if not liked)

If you don't like the theme, you'll need to add and change to another theme before you delete the current one so you don't lose all the blog stuff you have worked on. Every time you add a new theme all the info stays (sometimes plug in's from one theme don't play nice with others so you might have to work around that at times but it shouldn't be a big deal).

Gayle, I agree with Angie both that Atahualpa would be a good starting point and that the boat image shows up far too much and and normally wouldn't, but think this is a wordpress.org problem.

In any case after installing any theme you can preview it before activating it. Most times even if you delete a theme it just reverts to the default with no content loss. By default I mean the theme that is displayed when a new install is done. It used to be the Kubrick theme, but if memory serves it has changed in WP3.0. This applies only if you are deleting Themes, you would lose content if you are deleting everything via FTP(File Transfer Protocol().

Ahhh you're right Robert, thanks for the input. It would go to default theme. Glad we are not the only ones getting the boat image LOL

Robert and Angie,
I thank you both for the input in what would seem like such a silly, small issue.
The vision I have for my site would be more in *blocks* of information beneath the header and tabs. Offering a variety of services, not necessarily a blog/info format. That is why I was having difficulty when actually previewing the theme...it reverts back to *normal* blogging style.
Thinking perhaps a more magazine style. Ahhh...now to start over in the 84 page theme review!
Better brew more coffee! LOL
Thanks again you two!

It isn't "silly or small" , it's just that the software isn't really user friendly. Be that as it may you can still more than likely do what you want, Try some of the magazine style WordPress themes. The preview I was speaking is after you've installed a theme and instead of activating it, you preview it. Then if you like it, you activate it. Likewise if you don't like it you can delete the Theme and try again with a different theme. Not ideal, but then what is?. Hope this helps and wishing you much success

My favorite new WP theme right now is Twenty Ten, the new default theme that comes with the WP 3.0 (and later) upgrade. It comes very modifiable right out of the box and I'm gradually beginning to see interesting child themes designed to go with it such as Twenty Ten Weaver.

Besides being optimized for many of the new WP 3.0 features, it has 6 widget areas (including the footer) and easy header image upload, among other things. I've not had time to experiment with it a lot yet, but I think the Twenty Ten has a lot of potential for marketing bloggers. If you haven't upgraded to 3.0 I suggest doing so and checking out this theme.

I'll certainly give the Twenty Ten theme a consideration.
Guessing my first issue to overcome is: Do I have to download Wordpress 3.0 to choose the theme? Then move the theme (upload) to my hosting account?
In looking at all of the themes, besides trying to choose on which best fits my business site, each theme gives a short description advising what that theme offers...such as SEO optimized and so on. Of course being SEO optimized is an asset, but is that something to consider when choosing a theme? As in.... if the theme description does not address that, can it be done alone with plug-ins?
With many of the theme descriptions giving long lists of what that theme offers, wouldn't those be the best of choices?
And my questions run on.... lol
Gayle

If you already have a WordPress installation you just need to upgrade to 3.0. Most hosts now have an easy means of installing and upgrading WordPress from their control panels. Otherwise, you can just click the WordPress reminder in the dashboard and it should take you through the upgrade. It's no big deal.

If you have some old fashioned web host that isn't set up for instant WordPress install, you can simply download WP from Wordpress.org and then follow the instructions for setting it up on your host.

To try out new themes and plugins, I have a separate sub-domain setup with wordpress. That way I can try them out without changing my main site. (ex. test.mysite.com)

That's a good thought, Daniel. I've kept one like that for awhile and even write little reminder reviews for myself (and some others) on it. And if you create sites for clients you absolutely want to test themes and plugins elsewhere before using on a client's site.

Gayle --

The key is to just start. Don't spin your wheels trying to make a permanent decision at this point. Pick a theme that is "good enough" and get started. The beauty of wordpress is that it's easy to make a change later.