How many columns do I need?

sanhal · #1 (**permalink**) 05-30-2008, 09:24 AM

This might sound like a stupid question but after looking at a lot of Wordpress Themes I cannot decide on a theme.

I know a lot depends on what look I want but I don't know what I will need on it yet. I am not clear on how many columns I will need.

Can anyone give me some advice please?

I want to have a clean, uncluttered look.

I have to say that out of the few forums I ask questions on I do get the best and quickest answers on this one. So thanks to Lisa and everyone who answers.

Sandy

TechieGuy · #2 (**permalink**) 05-30-2008, 09:41 AM

It depends on what content you want to include in the sidebars (columns).

For many people, they just want navigational links (categories, archives, blogrolls, etc.) so two column (1 content, 1 sidebar) is right for them.

If you would also like to include advertising, such as Google's Adsense, then you may want an additional column for the extra space.

In my blog I have 1 content column on the left, and two sidebar columns on the right. In my left sidebar I include my links and in my far right sidebar I have the advertising.

Just remember that the more columns you have, the wider the page you will need.

sanhal · #3 (**permalink**) 05-30-2008, 10:50 AM

Thanks for your reply TechieGuy

I am not sure about putting Adsense on my blog.

Some say that if you are trying to sell your own products or affiliate products on your blog then you should not use ads that encourage people to click away.

Any insights?

Sandy

Quote:

Originally Posted by TechieGuy

It depends on what content you want to include in the sidebars (columns).

For many people, they just want navigational links (categories, archives, blogrolls, etc.) so two column (1 content, 1 sidebar) is right for them.

If you would also like to include advertising, such as Google's Adsense, then you may want an additional column for the extra space.

In my blog I have 1 content column on the left, and two sidebar columns on the right. In my left sidebar I include my links and in my far right sidebar I have the advertising.

Just remember that the more columns you have, the wider the page you will need.

lisa · #4 (**permalink**) 05-30-2008, 12:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sanhal

Thanks for your reply TechieGuy

I am not sure about putting Adsense on my blog.

Some say that if you are trying to sell your own products or affiliate products on your blog then you should not use ads that encourage people to click away.

Any insights?

Sandy

When I first launched 2create I didn't put AdSense ads on my domain and hosting tutorial pages because I didn't want people to get distracted before going over to my reseller store.

But later I added them to test the difference. It didn't seem to affect sales at all. Also keep in mind you can filter out competitive ads. So if you're selling red T-shirts and you see a Google ad for a company selling red T-shirts then you can login to your AdSense account and tell Google not to show ads from that domain.

WB Sponsors