After moving my blog from Blogger to WordPress, the next step was to set up a new theme on my site. After looking into DIYthemes website, I realized the Thesis Theme was a pretty awesome theme. It is more of a community than just a theme, with tons of resources on how to get started and maintain your blog.
Although the road to setting up my theme was paved and marked pretty well, it was not easy, flat, or straight. The process was challenging for someone (like myself) who is not a web design guru, or even a novice for that matter. BUT, it can be done!
To help others, I want to point out some important lessons I learned along this journey.
Always Backup Your Site!!
This is so critical. I learned this lesson about day three into the change. Back it up DAILY! I messed up badly and could not figure out how to fix it. I asked around the forums, did web searches, and everything. So, I figured I would just go back to my last update. Except my last update was the first day I changed over to WordPress - BEFORE I downloaded Thesis! Yuck! So, essentially I had to start over. Luckily, I still had the files on my computer, so it was just a matter of transferring them back to the host via FTP. But, still!
You can do this with the WP-DBManager plugin and customize your settings. This can be a life saver. Your hosting site may only do a backup once a week. In the initial stages of the design changes, you may want to backup every hour with all the changes you will be making.
Use the Forums
The forums in WordPress are a great resource filled with web developer expert advice. In addition to the forums in WordPress, DIYThemes forums are also helpful. These forums offers topics on installation, WordPress or Thesis tips, troubleshooting, design, or a variety of topics you may have questions about. I forgot about this resource until I realized it was a viable information for help and information. You will have to sign in using your WordPress.org login or your DIY Themes login.
Download a Local Copy of WordPress
I mentioned this in my post about moving from Blogger to WordPress. The video tutorials mentioned there are helpful. This is a mistake I learned early on. It is better to mess with your local copy than the site live online. When you are aware that no one can see your website due to the screw-ups you made, you stress just a little. For minor changes, it is probably okay. But, once you start messing with the code or getting deep into the weeds, use the local version of WordPress!
Consider Hiring a Web Design Expert
I got to a point where I was spending WAY too much time customizing my theme, so I decided to look for web designers (cheap!) that could possibly just fix it for me. You know - hire a professional when you can't do the job yourself. I could not afford thousands of dollars either, so I was not sure if this was even an option. But, if you want just some basic coding done to set up a nice foundation, it is worth spending a couple hundred bucks.
I went back to the DIYThemes forums and perused the Classified section. There is a great deal of information there. Consider soliciting your need for help there. If you are an "expert" yourself, this is another way to drum up business. Another great resource is the Top 100 Graphic Designers listed on Sociable Blog.
Bookmark Great Tutorials or Websites
There is nothing worse than finding a great resource and then have no idea where to look for it later when you need it. Bookmark tutorials and useful websites or blogs when you need to go back. I found this helpful when I knew I could jump on YouTube and look under my 'Favorites' to find the information I was looking for.
There is so much information out there on the Thesis Theme. These lessons learned were from my initial design experience. I am sure I will have more lessons learned as I continue on this road. I know web design and switching to Thesis can be intimidating for some, but in the long run, it is worth it. Trust me, if my non-programming self can do it, anyone can.
Please share your tips and lesson learned in the comment section!
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I’m glad Thesis worked out for you in the end
I also have Thesis and I really enjoy it.
May I suggest you adding your Thesis affiliate link in your post? I see that you have the banner for in the right, but if people click on it in your post, they might as well be tracked to you so you can earn a few bucks on their purchase
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Thanks! There is a link in my post, but maybe I should place in a few places. I really think those on the fence should consider it. It was the best $87 I spent to improve my blog!
Thesis is really a good theme but there is need to spend some time learning in order to use it in a good way
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This is very true. But, no other theme that I have seen gives you so much support and tutorials! I look forward to learning more!
Your site looks great! Thanks for some of the resources. I’ve got to spend a little time revamping a few of my Thesis sites.
You’re right, though. It is possible to spend way too much time playing around with Thesis. I guess that’s why my sites look a bit under developed right now. Hopefully over time I’ll spruce them up.
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Thanks Felicia! Yes, it can suck you in, especially when you start seeing all the other cool designs out there for people using Thesis! And you think, Oooh I want that look!
The best things that we should remember is before we move to Thesis we should familiarize first ourselves about some coding so we can avoid such problems.
I agree!! while you can do a lot with Thesis without knowing code, it is very helpful to understand CSS and HTML. I have gotten a “learn-by-doing-and-making-mistakes” crash course since I have gotten Thesis. One thing I have learned is to save your custom files to a local computer FIRST, then if you mess up you can FTP those back to your host.
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