Ask-Me-About Forum

[Loz]

I was wondering, and hoping that if you blog, what would "you" like to see in a blog's template.

Reason I'm asking, It's taken me the last 3 days to fully understand how to create a wordpress theme from the ground up and learning php at the same time too, which is cool. And I wondered what would you like to see in a template?

Things like, a calendar? Tag Cloud? Or have tags shown at the bottom of the posts? Or Have Recent, but yet related posts at the bottom of the posts, or in the sidebar?

Do you prefer a 3 columned template, ie, body on the left, followed by two columns on the right. Or one column on the left, body in the middle, and one column to the right (of course, while making it possible for the SE's to read the content first by using absolute positioning).

Or would you prefer to have two columns plus the body on the index page, while having the article page, search page results, archive pages, category pages to be wider in the body; which would mean to only have one column on these pages on the right, or would you like to have them on the left using absolute positioning so the content is always read first.

Where would you like to see the search box? one in the header? Or, on every page in one of the columns, and if so in the columns, where would you like it, at the top? or somewhere else?

What other things would you like to see? Socialize bookmarking plugin?

Anything else that I haven't mentioned that you would like? ie, colors, what are your favorite colors that you would like to have on a blog? And how about the design, victorian? metro? modern? Do you have any examples of the designs of the websites you like, in graphic terms, and layout?

I just bought http://www.seodomination.net which will house loads of SE Friendly Blog Templates, some will be free, some will be around $9.97 - $19.97 (not decided yet) And if anyone wanted to they can become an affiliate on clickbank and get 50%, or become a reseller of the themes that are available, or promote the reseller accounts and earn 50% on any of those sales made.

And it's gonna come with a ton load of plugins already pre-installed / or plugins that you can use which will need to be activated. As you can tell from the domain name I just bought, they're gonna be wordpress blogs revolving around SEO.

VGTP members will get to choose one of the themes they like the most and can have it for free.

I can't say when they will all be done, I've already crammed in loads of info in my brain already - ready to explode me thinks But once I've got the template I'm working on now looking the way I want, it shouldn't take me long to knock out duplicate copies with different designs and color schemes.

Any ways up, if you could give me your feedback I'd appreciate it.

Thanks.

[duanejordaan]

Great idea Loz. I feel there is a definite need for SEO friendly wordpress themes.
Anyway, my favorite layout is a 3 columned template.Column,Body and column on the right.
I think the color doesn't really matter. Modern designs would be more important. I like the Revolution theme.
My favorite plugins are stuff like: Headspace,Adsense Deluxe,What Would Seth Godin Do,Google XML Sitemaps and the one you recommended the other day Donations Cloud.
Socialize Bookmarking plugins would be great.I am also on the lookout for a Disclosure plugin and a Contact Us type of plugin.

Hope all makes sense.
Can't wait for your templates mate.

Cheers

[Loz]

Disclosure / privacy policy plugin? That can be done by creating a new page as far as I'm aware mate. But the contact us page I can do, I got a plugin here somewhere for that, of course I can't take credit for it, only the design and the plugins I make myself.. I just made a tag cloud a moment ago... looks pretty neat...

I'll upload the changes I've done so far (currently working locally on PC), design is a work in progress, I'm working on the little things right now.
http://www.assets.ask-me-about.com/ As I say, it's still a work in progress, I'll be up for criticism when it's done.

[Loz]

I got a Q for ya all,

See if ya can solve this one, this is giving me a right head ache.



See where it says "Protected: Consolidation Loans Password", then under that it says "Protected"

Notice how the top line is shifted to the right by so many pixels, the title is in a h2 tag, then tapers off onto another line, but it's butt close to the left. Any clues why that does that?

I've tried adding a div tag and a class to it to assign the div properties, I've even tried removing the h2 tags margin and padding properties and still get this annoying prob, any clues to remove it? I'm stumped for any ideas.

Cheers.

[Loz]

D'oh, never mind, figured it out... i was saving the wrong style sheet...lol would help if I was working on the right one...

My cue for a rest I think..lol

[nickt]

Hey Loz ... I think if anyone can capture this market - "it's you!"

This market is begging for someone to grab a hold of ... "and run with it!"

After watching your video on installing a blog I notice - I'm just like you in the fact that your picky when choosing a theme.

After spending more time than I should trying to find the theme that's "just right" ... I ended up purchasing some that were
a little more than most people would want to spend - but they are nice - and at the same time, it got me to quit looking for
a new theme...

Anyhow ... I do have an expensive theme that I stopped using before purchasing these and the "NUMBER ONE" thing they are all missing
is the instructions on how to customize the themes design - in layman's terms, and in video.

If you can create themes that are built for performance "and" teach people how to customize the presentation as well - I think you could
become your own icon in this market...

Sherman Hu brought WordPress to the forefront in the marketing area (and who is a downright nice guy)is now a part Stompernet.

... and the one thing that seems to be missing in the performance themes is the how-to "really " customize the look of the theme.

Your videos are so well done - and your attention to the details - would be "just what the doctor ordered" for this desperately starving market.

If you would like to see the themes that I purchased I would be happy to share the demo pages - and here I'm a perfect example because there
"is" support - but not videos on how to accomplish what I'm looking for - so I still have a nice size learning curve just to get started.

I hope this helps,

Nick Teetzel ... "this market has your name all over it!"

[Loz]

Videos on how to create your own theme from the ground up? Blimey, I just barely got my head around it mate..lol

I'll have to do a few more before I can do a video on how to do it, otherwise it will take me months to create the vids as apposed to a few days or so.

Any ways up, after playing around with it constantly for the past 3 days, things are starting to make sense where what goes, what features can be added, etc,how to make plugins and what not. Kinda enjoying it as it goes.
Worse part is all this bloomin' research to find the functions, currently stuck on one to make RSS Feeds for Tags only, but can't seem to find any referance to it, I can make 'em for categories, but Tags (keywords), no go just yet. Doin' me head in innit.

Oh hum...

[mforan]

Anyhow ... I do have an expensive theme that I stopped using before purchasing these and the "NUMBER ONE" thing they are all missing
is the instructions on how to customize the themes design - in layman's terms, and in video.

this would be a good idea as there are many novices that would benefit greatly.
Also random header images would be nice
Mark

[cedarberry]

Loz I have running a political blog on google blogger for several years. I chose a black background so all of the pics would show up better...even the you-tube videos show up better. But since you pointed out that by adding adsense google only pays 50% I guess I'll have to start another blog with WordPress? How many templates would be available? Yes, contrary to all of the experts I have a high readership using white type on a black background. Short sentences, lots of pics and videos. When are you going to do a video and how to produce your own videos for website/blogs..etc.? StomperVision has a course out on how to produce your own videos...too expensive with monthly fees, etc. Most good blogs use videos today and some use antimations, too? Here's just one of many blogs....www.whatisreallygoingoninnolensvilletn.blogspot.com Bring on more good stuff...still need WebsiteBuilderPro ASAP. Thanks ed.

[jewelrygal]

Do you prefer a 3 columned template, ie, body on the left, followed by two columns on the right. Or one column on the left, body in the middle, and one column to the right (of course, while making it possible for the SE's to read the content first by using absolute positioning).

Or would you prefer to have two columns plus the body on the index page, while having the article page, search page results, archive pages, category pages to be wider in the body; which would mean to only have one column on these pages on the right, or would you like to have them on the left using absolute positioning so the content is always read first.

Where would you like to see the search box? one in the header? Or, on every page in one of the columns, and if so in the columns, where would you like it, at the top? or somewhere else?

What other things would you like to see? Socialize bookmarking plugin?

Yes to body on the left, with two columns on the right. At some point I did some research on this layout topic and it seems that this one is the preferred one these days.

Search on every page at top of one of the columns...and probably google search so you can make some $$ with it
Yes to socialize bookmarking plugin

And a list or a video giving us a list of the vital plugins.