During a session with a client where we were setting up her hosting, domain name and WordPress site we began discussing what kind of theme she felt would reflect her own brand. She is not in business but comes from an academic background and is well published. She wanted a simple, elegant style but without the busy widgets or plugins. After going through a few theme options and discussing her ultimate goal further, I did realise that this type of format was her style. She had a clear cut plan in mind, which I thought was fantastic. She was comfortable with what she wanted and what direction she wanted to take.
I have said in my workshops and throughout this website, that whatever you want your brand to be is a reflection of you. She remembered this statement. But what if your peers have the most flashy, up-to-date website with all the bells and whistles? Does this mean that you should conform to having a similar website? The answer I would tend to give is no.
I know a lot of people who are well able to work around a website with HTML, XML etc and can really make it work FOR THEM. But I do wonder sometimes, who are they trying to please? I would also mention here that it would depend on your own background and what your goal is at the end of day. If the purpose of your flashy website is to show off your skills, by all means go for it. If the purpose is mainly to show your work, publications, images etc, then it is important that the bells and whistles of your website won’t take away from the work you are actually trying to showcase.
When looking at the WordPress themes, what you see first is the snapshot of what the theme can fully do. You can take widgets out, add plugins etc. Don’t be disheartened by the complexity that the snapshot may show. When I’m with a client, instead of searching WordPress themes and hundreds of themes show up, I tend to Google particular types of themes with key words. For example I searched ‘simple WordPress themes’ and I was given a wonderful selection of clean, fresh, easy to use options.
So the lesson for today, is to stay within your own style. You are the only one who knows this fully. Don’t deny your hard work to shine with too many distractions on your website. On this website as an example, I wished to hi-light that the entire website is divided into pages that covers various topics on personal branding, so I used the slider to accomplish this.
I will finish by saying take time when developing your website or blog. You will change and move things around before you come to realise what will or will not work. Don’t get too bogged down with the mechanics of it all and if you need help you can always email me.
