Need to know the level of difficulty

  • Hi, I’d just like to get your oppinion on the difficulty level of this theme I’d like to build:

    https://www.jokke-svin.dk/andet/layout_blog_A02b.png

    The red field is an image with menu links as “hotspots”.

    Judging from other blogs I’ve seen, the one I’m planning on designing doesn’t seem to be that difficult. I know the basic html and also a little CSS, but VERY little PHP… So, is it an impossible task for me to get the standard WP theme to look like the image from the link?

Viewing 8 replies - 1 through 8 (of 8 total)

  • I wouldn’t use the standard theme, it’s fairly complicated to try for a “first hack”, there’s lots in there.

    I would go to one of the theme sites and download a basic theme that “kinda” looks like what you want to use and modify that.

    What you are looking to achieve doesn’t seem to hard.

    Are you looking to left align it or centre it? I ask because of the overhang for the header image. It’s not difficult to get round, but would be easier if it was inline with the main text.

    Are you going to have a sidebar at all?

    You don’t need to know loads of PHP, but understanding the_loop, tags and the basic infrastructure will help a great deal. There’s a wealth of information in the codex and I suggest that you have a look in there before you go too far.

    https://codex.www.ads-software.com/Main_Page

    Collin

    Good reading if you are “scared” of php: https://mattread.com/blog/2005/04/wordpress-is-not-php/

    Also, I wouldn’t use an image map for navigation:
    – it is difficult to make it work with the WP generated menus (lists)
    – search engines don’t “see” it!

    That’s a great read, thanks Moshu!

    Thread Starter jokkesvin

    (@jokkesvin)

    Cornell_Finch – Good suggestion about finding a smiliar theme to customize. Thanks.

    As for the alignment, I’ll left align it to the page. like the rest of my site at www*jokke-svin*dk.

    I think I’ll end up having a sidebar – maybe I’ll move the search form there to make it easier (if it’s too difficult to place it up there).

    Thread Starter jokkesvin

    (@jokkesvin)

    moshu – To get a consistent layout throughout my site, I’d REALLY like to have this navigation style.

    Hmm, is it really that difficult to do? I mean, the “ARCHIVES” button just has to load the archives page into the content area. Same goes for the rest.
    The “previous page” and “next page” buttons will not be up there.

    “search engines don’t see it” – What consequences will this have? I’m not sure I understand. As long as the regular content (posts) remains visible to search engines, there shouldn’t be any problem?

    GREAT link by the way! I’ll be sure to read everything!

    Thanks ??

    Thread Starter jokkesvin

    (@jokkesvin)

    Still stuck in this matter :s Any answers to my final questions would be great ??

    Thanks

    You can have that navigation style. All I was saying: it doesn’t need to be an image with hotspots. You can keep the upper part of the image as the logo/header bg-image of your design and can include the nav link as code.

    But feel free to use buttons or images (just don’t forget the alt, title tags). On a standard setup (e.g. using a default or classic theme) check what is the link to your archives and any other stuff you want to put up there. Then use those URLs to make you “buttons” a link.

    As for the search engines: they don’t read images. Search and learn about SEO (search engine optimization) – how to make a site
    a) SE friendly
    b) accessible for browsers that don’t show images etc.

    Thread Starter jokkesvin

    (@jokkesvin)

    Great! I think I’ll try the solution with having the image as bg, and figure out how to code the navigation.

Viewing 8 replies - 1 through 8 (of 8 total)
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