Two Really Useful Thesis Documents

June 28, 2009 · Comments

I was just looking online to see if I could find a tutorial document for a WordPress theme install, specifically for Thesis for WordPress (note: I’m an affiliate seller of this theme). I ended up finding not one, but two decent docs to help you get Thesis up and running.

The first, How to Build Small Business Websites Using the Thesis WordPress Theme [pdf file], comes from Expand2Web.com, by Don Campbell. His site was packed with similar information, so if you like this doc, swing by and check out his other information.

The other document was called Thesis Tutorial – SEO for Everyone [pdf file] , and I found that at DoubleMule, which had lots of posts about Thesis themes and designs.

Most folks appreciate the theme and get it installed just fine, but I do get the occasional email from someone who isn’t as comfortable with the installation process, or they might have it configured in bare bones mode, but want to do more. I think having an affordable premium WordPress theme is a great way to make your blog look even more attractive and professional, but you have to remember that I’m biased.

Need suggestions for good designers? I recommend both Nico Pin and WeFixWP.com. If you want to go a bit more premium than even that, my friends Justin and Eric at Coffee House Ideas kick serious butt, too.

Good luck with tuning up your blog with Thesis. I think it’s a really useful theme and I love promoting it.

If you’re more of a visual thinker, you might try checking out Great Thesis Resources, where I found you some videos to browse.

Let me know how the docs work out for you, okay?

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ChrisBrogan.com runs on the Thesis Theme for WordPress

Thesis WordPress theme

Thesis is the search engine optimized WordPress theme of choice for serious online publishers. If you’re a blogger who doesn’t understand a lot of PHP, Thesis will give a ton of functionality without having to alter any code. For the advanced, Thesis has incredible customization possibilities via Thesis hooks.

With so many design options, you can use the template over and over and never have it look like the same site. The theme is robust and flexible enough not only to accommodate a site like ChrisBrogan.com, but also to enable the site to run far more efficiently than it ever has before.

  • John Carey
    thanks, Chris. Very useful info
  • Douglas Schultz
    Chris - thanks for the info. Good stuff. BTW the link for expand2web.com had a extraneous letter in it.
  • I *think* I fixed that. Try now?
  • Chris do you use the Thesis openhook WP-plugin (http://rickbeckman.org/thesis-openhook/). I find it really helpful.
  • ana
    nice theme, congrats! but my wordpress spot& it s contents are too smooth for this design. otherwise I would use it. definitely.
  • Also recommend Jamie at Shatterboxx Media (so does Double Mule) http://www.shatterboxx.com

    She has done two great customizations for me that are business oriented and one for a friend that is simply incredible at http://www.livethecharmedlife.com
  • Comments removed by mattcheney, not Chris Brogan.
  • So incredibly useful, thank you. I just tweeted today asking how to get the two up and running as I was having some problems. Talk about good timing!
  • hey Chris,

    I always enjoy your posts and information. But I think Thesis is over my head. I've heard its got a steep learning curve and I'm not so techy. Crap, I had trouble just getting Wordpress installed :-(

    Anyway, I appreciate your stuff.

    Best regards to ya!
    David Tinney
  • It's only as techy as you want it to be. It installs like any other theme, and then you can tweek it a little at a time. You don't have to touch the geeky hooks at all if you don't want to.
  • I'd just like to add that Thesis has an excellent user forum where you can get quick answers to all kinds of Thesis (and Wordpress) related questions. The active users of that community have bailed me out of all kinds of trouble. Check out: http://diythemes.com/forums
  • The expand2web article contains advice to disable the RSS feed on the page unless your visitors understand what RSS is.
    I would probably NOT follow that advice, because search engines look for the presence of the RSS feed in order to rank and weigh your site.
    Overall it looks like a good Thesis primer, but I had to make that bit of a correction for anyone who is going to use the Thesis directions step by step.
  • Very useful indeed. I'm thinking of switching over to WordPress so I really appreciate the insights.
  • Hey Chris,
    I am trying to talk my client into using the Thesis Theme (We are currently using Presstopia--not my favorite) for their Blog. The CTO said he had a few questions and I was hoping you could help answer them.

    1. Does the Thesis theme support Java Script
    2. Does it have a Sequel Back End--I dont know what that means...hopefully you do : )
    3. Is it .net

    Thanks so much for the help, hope you are enjoying your vacation

    -Sean
  • 1. Yes.
    2. Yes, it runs on WordPress, and WP runs and interacts with a mySQL database.
    3. No, it is not .net—.net is a MSFT technology that is considered something of a joke in the "modern" web development world. Both Thesis and WordPress are written in simple, efficient, and (basically) universally accessible PHP.
  • Sharon Hearty
    Brill and thanks for the pointers - very relevant to me at the moment and I have been searching for something like this in the past week with no luck. You are a god send...
  • If it's not uncool to toot my own horn, I also build WordPress/Thesis sites, including my own. Very reasonable rates, references. Will reply w/ client site list, URLs, etc. to anyone who's interested. Normally I wouldn't be this crass, but we all have to make a living, right?

    If it IS uncool, just delete this. :-) You have a great site and I don't want to walk all over the comments with my muddy boots.
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