Introduction to WordPress Theme Development

By Nile Flores@blondishnet

http://blondish.net

Theming from Scratch

You have to have a grasp of:WordPress Loops, functions, actions, and morePHPCSSWeb Standard codingKeen eye for clean yet colorful designWhat your client wantsWhat works marketing wise

Theming While Using A Framework

The same for using a Framework, but you are customizing it for use. A lot of design and code elements already exist, but you may have to add more custom elements outside of the original framework.

Great WordPress Design Examples

Blisstree.com

Yoast.com

Studionashvegas.com

ChrisBrogan.com

LisaSabin-Wilson.com

Tips to consider what to do when designing for yourself or clients

• Will it draw in the visitor to do what you want them to do?

• Is it necessary?• Will the site be accessible in most browsers?• How fast will it load?• Is it optimized enough for the search engines?• How easy is it to use as a visitor and as a user?

Research their nicheAnswer how you can help them get aheadHow easy it will be to maintain the sitePrevious case studies of other projects you

have done

How to make sure you are explaining to clients how WordPress can work wonders for them

versus other methods?

Client Questionnaire Cheat Sheet

• Colors• Are there sites out there that have design elements

they like• What they want to ultimately do with their site (e-

commerce? blog? services? Etc…)• Timeframe• Ideal Budget (especially in lower populated areas)• SEO work? Virtual Assistant work? Etc… you can do

these yourself or refer to a colleague & work out an affiliate rate

Book Resources

WordPress All-In-One Desk Reference by Lisa Sabin-Wilson

Digging Into WordPress by Jeff Starr and Chris Coyier

(refer to http://wordpress.org/about/books/ for more great WordPress related books)

Website Resources

Codex.WordPress.orgWPRecipes.comWPEngineer.comWPHacks.comWPCandy.comWPBeginner.comWPAddict.netJustinTadlock.com