James Morgan
Contents
The Project
Description
Create a website where people can browse and download both Wordpress and Google Blogger powered templates. I will create some of my own templates as well as upload templates created by other individuals. I will make to sure give the author(s) full credit for their creations before uploading their template source code.
Features
- The website will be powered by the Wordpress blog platform.
- Wordpress is the best choice because it has more advanced features (plugins) than Blogger.
- Each template uploaded will be an individual blog post.
- Each template will have a screenshot/thumbnail preview.
- If possible, each template will have a demo, where users can test the template before downloading.
- Users will be able to leave comments beneath each post and discuss each individual template.
Goals
Host/Register a Domain Name
I will do some research and find a reliable and cost efficient hosting company.
UPDATE: I am using HostGator for hosting and registration of this domain.
Install WordPress 2.8.4
I will read online instructions which explain how to manually install wordpress. I will use FileZilla 0.9.33 to upload the latest version of WordPress.
UPDATE: I have successfully installed WordPress 2.8.4
Learn PHP
WordPress themes are structured around the scripting language of Hypertext Preprocessor (PHP). PHP is essential to wordpress themes and will need to be embedded into the HTML. I will read up on different tutorials online.
UPDATE
I have gone through a few simple tutorials at PHP.net, which have helped me understand the language better.
- Your First PHP Enabled Page can be found HERE.
- Something Useful can be found HERE.
- Dealing with Forms can be found HERE.
- Escaping From HTML can be found HERE.
- Instruction Separation can be found HERE.
- Comments can be found HERE.
- Integers can be found HERE.
I am also reading a tutorial on how to create a wordpress theme from scratch.
Design a WordPress Template for my New Site
I will do some research and look for tutorials on how to create my own wordpress theme. The Layout needs to be simple and easy to navigate.
UPDATE:
I am still working on creating a productive template for TheBlogTemplates™. Currenlty I am working on creating a sidebar on the right hand side. In order to do this I will need to take some time and learn more about PHP. In the sidebar I will place links to "popular templates", "Browse by Category", "Browse by Color", etc.
Create Blogger Templates for Download
I will start creating my own collection of blogger templates for others to download.
Resources/Tools for creating templates:
- Gimp 2.6 - GNU Image Manipulation Program
- Adobe PhotoShop CS3
- Adobe DreamWeaver CS3
- PSPad - a freeware code editor
- Mozilla FireFox - web browser
- Internet Explorer - web browser
- Google Chrome - web browser
UPDATE:
- I have created my first Blogger Template named ProPress.
- I have created SkyLine Blogger Template
- I have created Simplo Blogger Temmplate
Create WordPress Themes for Download
My goal is to create at least one amazing wordpress theme.
Upload Other Templates
I will find other free templates by various artists and upload their source code to my site. I will make sure to give the author(s) full credit by creating a link to their site.
UPDATE:
I have uploaded a few templates created by other artists. This includes a thumbnail, screenshot, downloadable zip file,features, and description of the template.
Create Tutorials
Create comprehensive tutorials for the users. I would like to create tutorials which explains to the users how to implement the templates. I will need to create a tutorial for installing a template on Blogger and another for WordPress. The tutorials will go through the process step by step and will include helpful screenshots.
Build an Audience
SEO:
In order for this site to be of any use I need to get loads of traffic. I will do some research about SEO (Search Engine Optimization) in order to receive a surplus of traffic from the search engines, such as Google, Yahoo, Bing, Ask, etc. I will optimize my site for the search engines in order to rank high(hopefully) for keywords such as "blog templates" and "blogger templates".
Social Media:
I will also try to receive traffic from social media sites such as StumbleUpon, Delicious, Twitter, etc. Users will be able to easily bookmark and share these sites at the socials media sites listed above.
UPDATE: SEO
I consulted with a few prominent blog niche sites and managed to attain a link from their sites, which is one step towards Search Engine Optimization. The examples listed below are not the only sites that are linking to my site, but some of the more worthy sites. Some Examples:
- DanteAraujo.net
- PageRank: 5/10
- Keyword: Blog Templates
- Link Location: Every Page (70+): site:DanteAraujo.net
- AllBlogTools.com
- PageRank: 5/10;
- Keyword: Blog Templates
- Link Location: Every Page (1340+): site:AllBlogTools.com
UPDATE: Social Media
- You can now follow us on Twitter at @TheBlogTemplate to connect with us. The Twitter page has a brief description of my site and also links back to TheBlogTemplates. I have integrated TwitterFeed with my twitter account so that everytime a new template is submitted to TheBlogTemplates, TwitterFeed automatically tweets about it with a link back to my site. Here is an example
- I have implemented a Google Friend Connect members gadget in the footer of the website. Users can join the site through a Google account, AIM, Yahoo, Netlog, or OpenID account. Once users become a member, a link to my site is displayed on their profile. Here is an example of a user who joined my site through Google Friend Connect.
Advertising
I aim to create appealing banners for my site in PhotoShop. I will use these banners to promote my site and possibly use them for advertising.
Possible Advertising Solutions:
