Custom WP Themes

quite a few months back I had someone from RentaCoder.com (thanks again Andre!) make a couple of bespoke wordpress blog themes for me.

the plan was to get a theme that was clean and simple in appearance, with SEO stuff built in, along with some nice touches for visitors, as well as some banner management and a way of adding header graphics easily.

then I was going to let you have a copy to use for your own blogs…

but I never got around to finishing off all the videos to show how to use them and make the most of the built in features.

before I give you some example sites to see what you think of them, here’s a few of the “features” built in: –

  1. different style bullet graphics
  2. feature for adding header graphic straight from your computer and cropping it to the correct size
  3. automatic banner adding feature for top and bottom of each page
  4. option to hide static “pages” from the top menu bar
  5. search box
  6. font resizing
  7. moveable sidebar menu items (try dragging and dropping one of the sidebar menus to somewhere else in the sidebar)
  8. expandable/hideable sidebar menus (e.g. click on the small triangle next to the title of the “Recent Posts” sidebar menu and the items dissappear)
  9. show post counts in the categories sidebar

those are the main ones that I can remember off hand.

so here’s a few example sites where you can check out the themes and let me know what you think…

The BlogTactics Vintage Theme: –

[This Blog]

Note: the header graphics on these sites is one that I banged out with the free graphics package from Gimp.org

you can also search on youtube for “gimp web 2 style” to see tutorial videos on how to do the same.

and: –

the header graphics on these sites are just from PLR graphics I picked up somewhere.

The BlogTactics BlueSimple Theme: –

http://mattgarrett.com

note: the header graphic on Pop5.net is from a photo of mine from a holiday I had in Turkey a couple of years ago, the built in feature of the theme allowed me to simply browse to it on my computer and then choose the section that I wanted as the header and then automatically crop it to the right size.

There was also one other theme I had made, although it doesn’t have quite so many features built in, it does include the header graphic editor and the banner management, and comes in three colors: –

So here’s the thing, I need to know if you’re interested in having a copy of these themes to use on your own blogs…

If you are then please post a comment below with some feedback to let me know and I’ll make sure I put aside some time in the next few weeks to get the videos finished and let you get a copy of the themes.

[Oct 9th – Update – the themes are now available for downloading on the themes page]

Blog Tutorial Videos

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This Post Has 57 Comments

  1. Viv Deighton

    😉 Hey Matt
    You have some great template there in the making. My personal favorite is the http://mattgarrett.com – would love to get my hands on a template like that.

    Perhaps it’s the marketer in me but I would like to have seen the Categories and Deal Of The Day higher up (above the fold).

    I follow you closely and am always interested in what you are offering. Thanks for the help and advice you give so freely.

    Cheers
    Viv Deighton

    1. admin

      Hi Viv,
      thanks!
      The theme on MattGarrett.com is the BlueSimple theme and the idea was to try and make it look and feel similar to a certain very well known social networking site.
      The sidebar menu’s are all widget based so can be set up in whatever order you prefer.
      In fact the theme should allow you to drag and drop those elements of the sidebar to where you prefer to see them if you want to give it a try…
      🙂
      Cheers,
      MattG

  2. Kevin

    Hi Matt

    The themes are clean and simple which I like. It seems that the links are all nofollow which discourages comments. Subscribe box fits in real well and font is clear – a little small for me but readable.Last three are least favorite with the header extending past the blog body. The peelaway ad in the header is cool.

    Cheers
    Kevin

  3. Luke Hawthorne

    Hi Matt,
    Here are my opinions:
    IM Testing: FAR too white!
    IM Uncovered: same as above
    1AB: Nice header graphic, but the search-box is over the small car image
    Health Secrets: very nice
    Matt Garret.com: Is that YOU in that monster mask??? (Scary) 😯
    Pop5 Travel: GREAT header graphic and excellent layout. Easily the best of the bunch.
    Hope this is of some help.
    Luke

    1. admin

      Hi Luke,
      do you meant the BlogTactics Vintage theme (this one) itself is too wide, or the sidebar part?
      the theme itself is quite a bit narrower than is becoming the standard for many newer themes.
      yup, that’s me on the header, it’s actually a ski hat, goggles and scarf, it was cold and snowing that day.
      🙂
      Cheers,
      MattG

      1. Luke Hawthorne

        Hey Matt,

        No, I mean it’s too WHITE, not enough color to be appealing in my opinion.
        I prefer to read blogs that have great content (yours always does) that are also easy on the eyes. I don’t mean you have to have images of good-looking girls (not that I would object) just a little more color. White backgrounds may be appealing to some people of course.

        Regarding the width, I think you’ve got it about right. However, if you had wider themes, you could use that extra space for some ads or maybe some more frightening photo’s of you in a ski-mask! 😆

        Luke

  4. Alex Newell

    WOW Matt – I don’t know which one of the features of these themes I like best! Probably the ability to use a picture straight from my computer although the font resizing is great and the movable items in the sidebar are really cool.
    I love tweaking blogs. 😛

    Something good to look forward to!

    Thanks mate
    Alex

    1. admin

      Hi Alex,
      yup, the ability to add a header stright from a pic on your PC speeds things up quite a bit.
      Cheers,
      MattG

  5. Ron

    Hello Matt
    I really like the internet-marketing-business-at-home.com – blue/white theme but I would prefer if the 3 column goes all the way up. 🙂
    I also really like The BlogTactics BlueSimple Theme and would love to get my hands on that one.
    The others are nice but I am partial to 3 column
    Keep up the great work…your e-mails always get opened

    1. admin

      Hi Ron,
      I hope to be able to release the themes in the next couple of weeks, so it shouldn’t be too long before you can get your hands on all of them.
      Cheers,
      MattG

  6. Larry

    Hey Matt,

    Those themes are really great (especially the “Vintage” and “BlueSimple” themes. The ability to add header graphics of your own is a big plus for me. I would be very much interested in having a copy of these themes.

    Thanks much.

    Larry

  7. Tony

    Matt,
    These themes are really cool. They are simple and easy to read and navigate. The added features are definitely a plus. I would love to use the BlueSimple Theme on some of my blogs! Nicely done.

  8. Larry

    Hey Matt,

    Those are some awesome themes, especially the “Vintage” and the “BlueSimple” themes. The ability to add your own header is great. I’m very much interested in having a copy of these themes.

    Thanks much,

    Larry

  9. stuart

    HI Matt
    Yes I’d like a copy of the themes please. some of the text on the widget heading could do with a better font as they dont look that cool. A bit jaggy in places.
    Accompanying videos would be super as Im starting a blog and want to edit my own header graphics and have the blog SEO friendly and be able to add sponsors etc.

    stuart

  10. Louise

    Interested? Does the Pope wear a silly hat? :mrgreen: Always looking for good WP themes and these ones are nice and clean looking … just show us where to bite your hand off!! 😈

    Louise

  11. Dave

    Matt,
    Your themes look great and easy to customize to anybodys personal taste. Is it possible to make the themes into a 3 column with the 2 small columns on the right?

    Great stuff keep up the good work!
    Dave

    1. admin

      Hi Dave,
      I might look at getting some more variations and options added to them at some point, but probably not for a while as I’ve got too many unfinished projects already..
      🙂
      Cheers,
      MattG

  12. Frank

    I like the look of your theme. There are so many to chose from I can not decide what to chose. Your theme looks like one I would try. Nice job.

  13. Paul

    Hi Matt,
    Some great work you’ve accomplished with those themes. I’ve visited a couple of the blogs previously, and chuckled silently about your foot in the one photo…

    Sure, I’d like to have these themes to use on my blogs, if I may (when you have them ready…)

    Cheers!
    Paul

    1. admin

      Hi Paul,
      lol!
      yup, that would be the header on http://mat7.com
      it’s a photo I tool while paragliding in Turkey a couple of years ago.
      Cheers,
      MattG

  14. Dr. John

    Looks interesting. The templates with more color to them look a little less “busy” than the standard white: The thing I notice first-hand with this variation on the template is that on first glance, my eye isn’t really sure where to “rest” so I’m spending precious seconds figuring out what to look at.

    The variants with more color to them (particularly the example with the link clouds, lists of recent readers w/avatars, etc) was much easier to read, naturally.

    +Dr. J.

    1. admin

      Hi Dr John,
      I kinda like the simple white style, but I can understand what you mean, although it does make it ideal for using a small pic/image at the start of each post as that should then draw a visitors eye straight to the post.
      Cheers,
      MattG

  15. John Gotidoc

    Hi Matt,
    Excellent themes! I like the Vintage themes and the orange/black theme. Now, ain’t this a coincidence! I am actually looking for a few WordPress themes that I could use for my new blogs that I’m planning to set up. I sure could use these themes 😀
    I’d say I like the IMTesting.com theme best of all.

    -John Gotidoc-

    1. admin

      Hi John,
      hopefully you won’t have to wait long!
      🙂
      Cheers,
      MattG

  16. Paul

    Hi Matt,

    Nice work you’ve done in putting these themes together. I’ve visited a couple of your blogs previously, and even chuckled silently at the one with your toes showing…

    Sure, I’d like these themes to use on my blogs (when you have them ready).

    Cheers,
    Paul

  17. Reach Success Online

    Hey Matt,
    I’m fairly new to WordPress and have been learning a lot in the past few months. I’ve always been afraid to play with the code to change banners, font size and banners so the templates you’re showing us are great. The features would sure help me.
    Thanks for your posts and emails.

    Luca Di Nicola

  18. Lord

    Like them. Be sure to let me know how to get a copy.

  19. Tracey

    Hi Matt,
    Some great themes … and header graphics!
    On http://adz.org/ … were you skydiving?! There is a foot in the photo … very high up!

    I would be very interested in you giving us access to these themes. My business is helping people set up blogs – I don’t sell themes or anything, just the service of setting things up; would the themes be able to be used by my clients if you were to give them to us?
    thanks for all your great hints & tips!
    Tracey

    1. admin

      Hi Tracey,
      I was actually paragliding in Turkey, near Olu Deniz.
      there’s a slightly larger version of the pic on http://mat7.com
      the other paraglider that is just to the right and above my toes is my ex wife.
      The themes will all be free, so you are welcome to use them for your clients.
      Cheers,
      MattG

  20. Daniel

    Very nice templates, I will have to get some time and add a blog. I use blooger right now.

  21. betty

    Some good graphics. Let us know if you make the videos!

  22. John

    Hi Matt
    These themes look clean, fresh and filled with many useful time saving features. I am looking forward to adding these to my blog tool chest.
    Stay well… John

  23. Roy Bartell

    Hi Matt.

    Just wanted to say the themes are awsome and i think you did
    a fantastic job on putting them together. I’m still learning about
    Blogging and have been reviewing other blogs to get ideas and make
    sure i’m doing it right. If i can get anyone of those themes you sent
    in the email with how to set them up i think i can do a great job keeping
    it up to date.

    PS. Keep on Keeping on

  24. lyn

    Yes please! (of course). I particularly like the bullets for resources (blogroll I presume?), and the header going all the way across in the blue/white theme.

    Technically, it would just be nice to know how to add some things, like a modern RSS button (not as easy as it might seem…), the plugins to make only a portion of posts show, stuff like that.

    1. admin

      Hi Lyn,
      I’ll be including a choice of different size and style RSS buttons as well, along with a video to show how to change them.
      the plugin to display just part of the post is listed on the Plugins page above (http://blogtactics.com/plugins/), it’s called “Post Teaser”
      Cheers,
      MattG

  25. Jane

    I’m partial to the mattgarrett.com and the simple blue theme. I’ve wanted to change my own theme for quite a while now but want to make sure that whichever theme I chose is going to work. I agree with whoever said your “categories” on the mattgarrett theme need to be above the fold, but I’m assuming you can rearrange the widgets to move it up?

    Get the videos ready…I like them and want them.

    1. admin

      Hi Jane,
      yup, it’s a widget enabled theme, so you can decide where each bit goes.
      Cheers,
      MattG

  26. Bob Marconi

    I like things as ‘clean’ as possible, not ‘busied up’ so you can’t tell where to read/click first or what the purpose of the site is.

    I guess that’s why I liked your themes, especially these: http://imtesting.com
    http://iamuncovered.com

  27. Chuck Pousson

    Hi Matt,
    I am very interested in using your one or two of your themes below as soon as possible, great job!
    Will you send me an email letting me know appoximately when “date” you will have the themes ready for use?
    I like that the themes are clean and well laid out. I have been searching high and low for a clean Word Press theme like your themes.
    The BlogTactics BlueSimple Theme: –
    http://mattgarrett.com
    I s one of my favorites.
    But I would have to say a tie would be considered with the theme
    http://internet-marketing-business-at-home.com – blue/white theme
    I like the use of the graphics in the areas of recent posts, categories etc. as well as the calendar day graphic. I have a suggestion that the search button in the header be positioned below the header possibly in the tab area right below the header, this would make for a cleaner look in the header for customization..
    Your two theme designs below are the same as the internet-business theme. The lines on either side of the header, seems distracting. The peel-away add does not bother me.
    Once again my opinion, but the themes below are awesome.
    http://okaf.com – orange/black theme
    http://adz.org – blue/yellow theme
    A modern Web 2.0 RSS Button would be a great addition so it would stand out.
    Chuck Pousson

    1. admin

      Hi Chuck,
      I replied to your support desk ticket about the themes earlier.
      You can use a text widget to add any style of RSS button you like to a widget enabled theme, as these are, but I will be including a few different RSS buttons to chose from with the themes.
      Cheers,
      MattG

  28. Rene

    Hi Matt
    Definitely interested. I have been trying to find a theme that was easy to change without being a PHP scholar.
    thanks
    Rene

  29. Chuck Pousson

    Hello Matt,
    Great job on the themes. I have been searching for themes just like these. I am very interested in using your themes as soon as you launch them. Do you have a time set for when the themes will be ready for use?
    I really like the internet-marketing-business-at-home.com – blue/white theme. If the 3 column could go all the way up that would be useful. You may want to consider a differen RSS feed button more modern Web 2.0 look. Your use of graphics in th sidebars are excellent.
    I also really like The http://mattgarrett.com theme as well.
    The others are nice but I am partial to 3 column

    Matt Keep up the great work, very appreciated teaching others your skills… Email me when you can and let me know the approximate date of your theme launch.

    All the best,
    Chuck Pousson

  30. Pierce

    Nice looking themes. I have been struggling to find decent themes for my own site. Your offer sounds good. I like the ad placements and also that you do not have to many of them. a little classier.
    Good luck

    1. admin

      Hi Pierce,
      yup, I like to keep the banner ads to just one at the top of the page and one at the bottom, altough I am testing out a 125X125 add plugin for the sidebar on some of my niche market blogs at the moment and I’ll post the results on http://imtesting.com when I have them.
      Cheers,
      MattG

  31. John

    Hi Matt,
    I specially like the internet-marketing-business-at-home theme, but all of them are good.

  32. David

    I am always in the market for a few good themes! I would rate the mattgarrett & pop5 as the best looking (they are really the same after all). Let me know when you make them available.

  33. Michelle Jayes

    Hi Matt
    Your themes look great. My favourite is the internet marketing business at home (blue and white). But that was a difficult decision.

    Michelle Jayes

  34. Scott

    Hi Matt,

    Man…They are ALL GOOD, I have killing myself trying to get my Aweber optin form to fit in the sidebar, looks like you have the problem solved. 😎

    I am building a blog for my relationship niche, I just want something that is simple and friendly looking, because the people coming to my blog are going to be in all likely hood, upset. 😥

    I am still out there searching, but I wouldn’t mind using one of your great templates. 😉

    As always, thanks for all the free content! 😀

    Take Care,

    Scott

    1. admin

      HI Scott,
      I believe there’s a video on how to get the aweber optin form in to the sidebar on the videos page, let me know if you can’t find it, or if it doesn’t answer all your questions on how to.
      Cheers,
      MattG

  35. wariya

    Hi Matt,

    Great templates, clean and simple. I love them.

    Thanks,

  36. Dennis

    Matt hook me up the blog themes are great….!

  37. Anne

    Hey Matt, these themes are great. I’m a seasoned WP user. Any chance of grabbing them before you get the vids finished. Kind of know how to theme a site and use most of the features you’ve got included.
    Noticed you said “Thanks Andre” somewhere in one of your posts. Is that the esteemed Andre Viklund by chance? He’s another great WP themer.
    Look forward to getting my hot little hands on these so I can dress my blogs up.
    Keep up the great work Matt!!!

  38. admin

    Hi Anne,
    I’ve actually just discovered that I did make a few of the videos several months ago, I just hadn’t put them online in my Revver account yet. I’ll see if I can get them online over the weekend and get the themes up on sunday or monday.
    The Andre I mentioned isn’t Andre Viklund, I probably couldn’t afford him for designing the themes, his work is wicked…
    cheers,
    MattG

    1. Anne

      Wicked, Matt. I can’t wait !!!

  39. Getzlionel

    Hey Matt!

    Wowsers – great themes! You must complete yr videos – i’ll wait for em!
    :mrgreen:
    LIke e rest – any chance to grab some of em?
    Been following you closely as well!
    Thks for all e invaluable content!
    😛

  40. Fraser Neilson

    Hi Matt

    Yes these themes are really good – clean, readable, well laid out and with the important bits – such as space for your products and that vital opt in – right up the top.

    Cheers

    Fraser

  41. admin

    The themes are now ready for downloading on the BlogTactics themes page: –
    http://blogtactics.com/themes/
    videos coming shortly.
    cheers,
    Matt

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