Despite my love for the two-column photographer blog theme, fans still requested for a single column.
I initially avoided single column because
- it’s bandwidth intensive
- difficult to navigate with large images
- no call to action at the end
As a result, I inserted a number of new wicked features to help you market yourself better. Remember, it is full iPad, smart phone, mobile browser compatible as well. No flash needed, yet it’s still cool. Max image size: 930px. There are no parent-child nodes to maintain simplicity.
Menu
I chose to go with a large typography for clear navigation. I also minimized many functions to narrow choices. Ever heard of “paralysis by analysis?” It means that by having too many choices, users cannot decide, therefore won’t decide.
So rather than inhibiting viewers, let’s help them pick the right choices (the few that are available). Plus, it follows the viewers wherever they are for quick navigation.
Banner
No flash used so fully compatible with iPad and mobile phone browsers. The banners rotate out using javascript. And you can specify links to each image.
For example, if you have this unbelievably beautiful wedding you want to promote, you can link it directly from that image!
(limit 10)
Customizable Profile Section
In our creative industry, we differentiate ourselves through transparency and unique propositions. So let’s make that section available from the get-go. You can also customize it so that it will only appear in certain places.
Post Excerpts
Ever feel like a single column blog theme’s length is…forever? Well, worry no more.
- You can turn the excerpts on / off in dashboard
- Text is still there, so it does not jeopardize SEO efforts
- Users may also click “See Full Post” rather than expanding to avoid new learning curve
- Customizable excerpt images
- Improves ease of navigation
Call To Action
When brides land on your post and looks through all of the beautiful imagery, what is there to do at the end?
- Comment on your post (unlikely)
- Scroll all the way past your big images in hopes to find a contact button (maybe)
- Leave the website (most likely)
So control their navigation by giving the next call to action. Each button is customizable with link and image.
Roll Out Tags
Some of you love your tags, but it doesn’t look too pretty when there is a whole slew of them. I added a roll out feature (also iPad and mobile browser compatible).
Post Separators
You can add your own image to separate posts. I suggest using png files so that it’s transparent.
Widgetized Sidebar Footer
There are four columns of where you may add widgets in the sidebar!
Customizable Backend Dashboard
For those who love coding it on your own, there is a free version you may download. For the rest of us who prefer not to get our hands dirty, there is an easy to use backend that you can drag, drop, click, upload…everything!
There’s much more than what I’m showing you here, but you get the idea.
Free Download
Enjoy a free download of the two column and all other themes I have developed in the past.
Don’t forget to optimize your website properly with these SEO (search engine optimization) tips, so that you can be found on Google! More traffic is more business.
Whew long post done,
Lawrence Chan
Looks lovely… and smart choice on the excerpt form. Hope your brother upgrades his theme too!
luv!! thanks!!!!! this is sooooo sweet—-totally re-tweeted it!
I think this one is the BEST YET! I wanna play….. I do, I do, I really, really DO!
Thanks for making it all iPad pretty and functional too!
Love it!
Just tweeted !!!
Can’t wait to use the new blog layout…
looks great!
Fantabulous!! I neeeeeeed that discount code! :-)
Hi,
I retweeted it!! And I hope it works because I’m in love with all your themes!
Greetings,
Jessica
I prefer this one also.
I have installed about 60 and customized them.
The 2.1 is my go to theme but I can switch up and date this one.
Thank you once more for the themes.
Great news Lawrence, well worth the wait!!
I just retweeted, can’t wait to get my hands on this theme it’s GORGEOUS!!!!
It made my Monday when I read this yesterday! I re-tweeted, and was going to again today but I guess twitter was hacked?
I can’t wait to try it!
Love it! Are there any social media thingies like in the 2-column template??
Well there are links to FB and Twitter! You can always add your own widgets if you’d like. Since the theme is capable of excerpts, reading a whole blog is pretty quick!
retweeted yesterday…can’t wait to get the discount! Did you say we would get a direct message about it?
Sorry don’t see the tweet. My assistant won’t know. I can grab a random one and email it to you later if you’d like!
That looks great! Thanks Lawrence!
Lovely . That’s what I need. On my FB
And….Done!
Love it, and my poor blog will finally get updated and be nice and spiffy with this!
Looks like a great theme
Many thanks to you, kind sir!
Dang, I promise I’ve been trying to be patient but I tweeted + fb yesterday and haven’t received any codes :( Lawrence, help!! I bought a stupid wordpress theme online but apparently its some company in Russia so I can’t get in touch with them and I really want to use yours…I’m just poor! *ha*
Just retweeted it. Will we be getting the code via DM? Thanks, Lawrence!
Yes, this is what he said above
Thank you sir so much for this. I love what you do and how you give back!
Perfect timing, Lawrence!! I was just about to spend ridiculous amounts of money to get a fancy blog but I’m really in no position to do so. You saved me! Nice and classy with all the features I need :) I tweeted to spread the news for you! @sgrantphoto
Can’t wait to give my blog the facelift it desperately needs!
xoxo
~Shannon~
Quick question: Can you use this template for multiple blogs? I have 2 and would love to use it for both, if possible. Thanks!
Sure! As long as it’s for you. Can’t resell, install for others, distribute, etc.
Perfect! Thank you very much :)
love it!!! i have 2 q’s — what is the font in the ‘call to action’ boxes? i need to create a new one and can’t get it to match. :)
how do i get the footer to look all spiffy like it does in your demo??
thanks again lawrence you’re the best!
Glad you love it!
1. Century Gothic
2. Widgets –
http://tofurious.com/professional-photography-blog-theme/install-and-edit-wordpress-themes/#widget
it’s been such a long time since i updated my blog.
Thanks Lawrence = )
theme is great!
Where did u get the background for the theme demo? (or where is a good place to look for those that’ll fit the template?)
Thanks!!!
Not sure. Just check the profile area and ask the girl I got the concept from :)
Looks like a great theme! :)
Also, is there a way to make the picture-scrolling more soft like in past blog templates?
Thanks for any help!
Sure – http://tofurious.com/professional-photography-blog-theme/install-and-edit-wordpress-themes/#speed
Pingback: Tofurious Blog Theme 3 (2 Columns) | Tofurious | Professional Photographer Blog Themes | Wedding Photography Tips | Free Downloads
You are so creative and generous! Hoping for a discount code so I can do a much needed blog facelift! I shared on facebook.
wow another great WordPress theme from you
I love this theme – can’t wait to get it!
Pingback: Every Company Should Have Not One, But Two Goals. What Are Yours? | Tofurious | Professional Photographer Blog Themes | Wedding Photography Tips | Free Downloads
Many thanks! Really love it and just how personal it can get.
Question about this; its something I wonder about pretty blogs. The banners: what if the image you want to put in it does not fulfill the size requirements. Will it crop it, stretch it, or leave the “not big enough” space blank?
Then crop it so that it fits!
It’s a little funny with how it’ll resize the images. If the image is too small, it won’t uprez it since that never looks good. Otherwise, if the image is too large, it’ll resize the image to fit either the width or height, then crop the rest. Or if one dimension is too large and then another is too small, it’ll just crop.
This is a great theme! Quick question, is there something special you have to do to make the excerpts work? Right now mine is just showing the text and image like it is supposed to but instead of having something like this after the text [...] it just says click to continue reading. I don’t want it to say that because I just want the reader to click on view full post. Any suggestions!?? And thanks for the awesome themes, you rock :)
Just got to write more. You didn’t write enough for it to go …
Awesome Blog Template! I am very pleased!
I know I’m late to the party, but I just retweeted this. I’d love a discount code! Can’t wait to try this theme.
I would so love to get this!! Any promotional codes for newbies? I tweeted! @janamelinda
;-)
I know it’s past the end date of your promotion, but i’d be sooooooo grateful for a promotion code!!
Awesome theme!!
How would I add more posts to the 1st page? The default is 3, I would like at least 4 or 5. Thank you.
In your dashboard, it’s under “Settings – Reading.” You can set how many posts you want on your index.
Thank You Lawrence, of course that was the only spot I didn’t look. : )
This may be super easy, but I am completely new to this. What is the best way for populating a contact page? Is it a plugin I should use or is there something in the theme that I’m missing?
I use Contact Form 7 plugin, which is not the easiest to use, but pretty darn awesome!
Great theme! I’ve been using your two column (3.1) but was really wanting to switch to one column, so glad I found this. One problem, and I couldn’t find any help in the comments, where in dashboard do I turn the excerpts off? I’d rather the entire post show.
Thanks!
It’s in the Theme Options dashboard for the premium theme. You could also use the contact form and someone will help you.
Instructions:
http://tofurious.com/professional-photography-blog-theme/install-and-edit-wordpress-themes/
Well sad day… i just missed the coupon deadline.
Thanks for the great template! One quick question, I’d like to change the wording on some of the footer buttons. Or the Call To Action’s as you called them. Can you tell me what font it is that you used on those so my buttons will all look consistent? Thanks!
I used Century Gothic, which is my favorite font!
I’m having trouble saving my background. It appears when I upload it but disappears right after I click save. Any suggestions?
Hi Meredith,
Use the contact form and someone will be able to assist you with that issue.
Thanks!
I’m having trouble adding a right sidebar onto this theme. I’d like to add some images with links on the side, but when I try adding a sidebar it appears below the footer. Any suggestions?
Hi Alicia,
This theme is designed with one column in mind. The activated sidebar is at the footer.
Hi Lawrence,
I just recently purchased your 1 column template. But I could not let the Separator and the Action buttons to appear. Care to check and see what do I need to do for it to be improved? :)
Thanks for your awesome creation!
Jeruel
Hi Jeruel,
Use the contact form and someone will help you right away.
Cheers,
Lawrence