I’ve been blogging for a couple of years now and have updated my blog’s theme quite a few times in the process. Sometimes it was to create a better layout for my content, other times it was simply to change things up with a different design.
If you too are in the process of picking out a theme for your WordPress blog, you know how important is it to find just the right design to match your style and personality, along with a layout that fits your content. For example, maybe you have a lifestyle blog and want it to read like a diary – one that allows your readers to scroll through and read one post after another. Or maybe you have a variety of articles that you want to categorize and present in a magazine-like style that puts lots of content in front of your readers to choose from.
And let’s not forget that, in addition to a great design and layout, it’s also important to have a theme that’s built well from a technical stand-point. This ensures that it’s optimized to load your pages quickly, function flawlessly, work on all devices/screen sizes, and make full use of the built-in SEO features WordPress.org sites have to offer.
Here are three theme stores that, together, offer a wide range of contemporary, feminine designs, plus versatile layouts and well-coded templates for self-hosted WordPress.org blogs.
1) Pipdig
Pipdig is an extremely popular source for finding chic, modern blog designs for lifestyle, beauty, and fashion blogs in particular. (You’ve probably come across their themes on other blogger sites already – their Aruba theme is especially popular!) Their theme designs are feminine, clean, and minimal, with extra widgets for easily integrating your social feeds. They offer themes for both WordPress and Blogger/Blogspot. Prices range from $49-59.
2) Bites to Brand
Bites to Brands is a slightly smaller shop that features feminine, minimal WordPress themes. Their designs are very clean and simple, making them great for those who want that diary-like feel to their blog, with minimal widgets to distract from their content. They also offer custom logos for your blog’s header. Prices are on the lower end too, with most themes at around $29.99.
3) Theme Forest
Finally, if you’re looking for something that’s a little more versatile, Theme Forest offers WordPress themes to fit any blog type, style, layout and function. They probably have the widest selection when it comes to theme layouts, especially magazine and portfolio layouts. Their themes also tend to offer more flexibly when it comes to customizing your layout and theme (check out TheBlogger and Sophia themes for some good examples). Theme Forest is actually where I picked up the theme I’m using now. Blog themes average at around $49.
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