This is a "mini" presentation on how to choose the right theme for your WordPress website or blog. I first gave this presentation at the Ottawa WordPress Group's Workshop on Customizing Themes in October 2013.

1. Tactics for Choosing a
Theme
Presented by Jasmine Vesque
@Jasmine Vesque 2013
#wpottawa
@jasmineVesque

2. A little about me
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Communications/Marketing/Webmaster
Nedlaw Group
Forget for a Moment Foundation
Co-organizer of WordCamp Ottawa 2013
Social Media Junkie: @jasmineVesque
@Jasmine Vesque 2013
#wcottawa
@jasmineVesque

3. What are you Building?
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Blog
Business
Portfolio
eCommerce
@Jasmine Vesque 2013
#wpottawa
@jasmineVesque

4. What do you Need?
 Consider layout, templates, and
functionality over colour scheme
 Build a list of required and “nice to have”
functionality
 Don’t be afraid to sketch out your layout
 How much customization do you require?
– It may be better to choose a simple theme
and augment it with plugins
@Jasmine Vesque 2013
#wpottawa
@jasmineVesque

5. Website Structure
 Layout
– How many columns?
– Slider
– Responsive
 Templates
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Home page
Inner page
Blog
Portfolio
Landing page
Contact
@Jasmine Vesque 2013
#wpottawa
@jasmineVesque

6. Where to get your Theme?
 General Google Search is not recommended
 WordPress Theme Directory:
http://wordpress.org/themes/
 WooThemes: http://www.woothemes.com/
 iThemes: http://ithemes.com/find/themes/
 Elegant Themes:
https://www.elegantthemes.com/
 ThemeForest: http://themeforest.net/
 StudioPress: http://www.studiopress.com/
 Frameworks: Genesis, Thesis, etc.
@Jasmine Vesque 2013
#wpottawa
@jasmineVesque

7. Other Things to Consider
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Ease of Configuration/Customization
Documentation
Support
Read reviews, not just the star rating
@Jasmine Vesque 2013
#wpottawa
@jasmineVesque

8. A Word of Caution
 Premium themes often use Custom Post
Types which you will lose when you
change themes.
@Jasmine Vesque 2013
#wpottawa
@jasmineVesque

9. Thank you!
Jasmine Vesque
@jasmineVesque
@Jasmine Vesque 2013
#wpottawa
@jasmineVesque

10. Questions?
@Jasmine Vesque 2013
#wpottawa
@jasmineVesque