Hi forum I've never done this before, and after searching the web, I can see various tutorials on how to create a WP template from scratch, but as a novice, I would really need a proper step by step tutorial rather than just a blog post, many of which are aimed at those who already have a working knowledge of this kind of thing. I've actually designed an entire image (well almost), of what I want the new template to look like. Therefore, it might be easier and quicker to just give the job to someone who can convert my image into a real template exactly as I've drawn it. I'd prefer to build my own in order to get a good working knowledge of how to do this, but if it's not too costly, and obviously quicker, for someone already adept at this kind of thing, then maybe it’s better to just hand the job over. So, my questions are: Q1. Can anyone recommend a good tutorial online, or a good simple to follow e-book to purchase on the subject? Q2. Can anyone recommend someone who could convert my image into a working WP template with perhaps add one or two of their own suggestions during the build? Thanks in advance Andii
Do you have any knowledge in basic html and css? If yes, it will be easy for you to learn. otherwise its better for you to get someone to do it.
Have you tried tutsplus.com? they've just released http://wp.tutsplus.com/ which is a tutorial website dedicated to wordpress... I hope this helps. Also there will be some step by step guides released for TopTuts.com soon.
Thanks for the response getadviced. I don't understand html or css to write any of it blindfolded, but i do understand the concept and can happily copy and paste bits of it, and tweak it once in place. But if there's a lot involved in creating a WordPress template, and it seems that there might be, then perhaps it might be better to pay someone to do this to avoid headaches and frustration. Thanks once again Andii
Thanks for information Chris. I've bookmarked both sites and shall look over them tomorrow (it's almost bedtime now here in my neck of the woods). Nice one Andii
Try this tutorial, this is the best tutorial I have seen on the web, alternately you can outsource chunks of it to different people and have a pro looking WP theme in just 200$ How to make a wordpress theme
Thanks techlunatic, that's probably the most comprehensive tutorial I've seen thus far. I'll know once i start reading it in more detail whether or not it'll take too much time for this novice to learn from scratch, but if it does, i will just pass my image over for a professional to create for me,...... now that;s easier said than done, ha, ha, lol Thanks once again, i appreciate the link Andii
Depends on what your intention is to make the theme. If you are making it for yourself then you can do it at ease, but if you are looking to make quick and big buck then outsourcing will do the trick. It's cheap too! 40$ for PSD design 50$ for PSD to xhtml and 50$ for xhtml to WP and there you have your own theme for around 200$! Sell it on any theme market like themeforest.com for 20$ a copy and you are making 1000$ even if you sell just 50 copies! easy calculation right and it is also easier done than said Sit with a Credit Card and 5 mins of your time to outsource it to different people and you are done!
Another thing to think about, is that domain search engine optimization is incorporated into web site design as well. A flashy looking site does not mean it can be found easy with a search engine. Coding needs to be correct for best results.
Thanks for that globegenius. I'm pretty familiar with on and off page SEO with sites i have built in the past, although I'm sure there are perhaps some other things to look out for in the Word Press platform that might be different. Aitch
I highly recommend starting with the Starkers Naked Theme. It provides all of the framework you need and you can build on top of it.