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Why Design Themes for Free?

It’s been very interesting for me to watch others use the themes I’ve created for their sites. There’s an element of excitement that I’m not sure I could describe. It has something to do with having the initial idea for the theme, spending the hours it takes to form it, and then watching as the world accepts it.

small screenshotI’ve been interested in Web Design for about the past year and a half……or maybe two years. That was actually the whole reason I built a website in the beginning – way before I got a blog. The day I discovered Blogger, was the day I modified my first blog theme. Ever since then, I’ve tried modifying every design that I’ve had…….and a bunch of them I never even used. In the process I started realizing how a WordPress theme works. So, naturally, I had to make one.

So, why make themes and offer them for free? There are several reasons that come to mind, some more important than others. The main reasons would include:

  • Incoming Links
  • Practice to Improve
  • Creative Outlet
  • Fun……….?
  • Hopefully to bring me attention :-)

That first one is important to anyone who offers free themes. You get to use the theme in exchange for letting me have my link in the footer. It’s been amazing to me how many people have activated one of my themes – and immediately took my link out of the footer. I’ve probably been guilty of doing the same thing (before I knew better). But, that can be a little discouraging.

As far as bringing attention my way, let me explain what I mean by that. The thought of doing freelance design appeals to me very much. I can only assume if I happen to build a theme that’s a hit(meaning that it becomes popular), then it can only bring opportunity my way. So in essence, attention = opportunity. Opportunity is a good thing any way you slice it!

I hope that sheds some light, if my recent design projects have thrown anyone for a loop. The ideas have been in the works for a long time. I already have two more themes that are almost ready. I may wait a while and spread the release of these out a little further apart. I’m excited about both of them. They’re very different from each other, yet are both very visually stimulating. I’m also *considering* redesigning this site, and offering this design. I’m undecided though, because I get a lot of compliments for it. We shall have to wait and see what the future holds…………

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