Zero and Up is going to officially have it’s own unique theme! I’m not going to give out too many details just yet - but trust me: I’m going to bring in the new theme with a bang.

So, you may be asking this question in your head: “Your site looks decent; yeah it’s not amazing but it’s good for a site with a free-to-download theme. Why are you shelling out the cash to get a custom one?”

Well, the answer isn’t quite so simple. Over the past couple of days, I kept changing my mind. However, I’ll do my best to explain to you why I believe it’s so important to have a custom theme, a theme that will be unique to this blog alone.

First Time Visitors Are Impressed By Professional-Looking Themes
In many cases, you can tell if a theme is a free one or not just by looking at it. From time to time you’ll come across an amazing free theme, but the bad thing is that if there’s an amazing theme that anyone can use, then tons of people will be using it. Having a commonly used theme is not something that will help your blog stick out in the cluttered memory of an average internet user.

An Optimized Theme Can Earn You More - Literally
Right now there is no ad space in my header, and I can only feasibly place two 125×125 ad blocks above the fold. Ad blocks above the fold should and do bring in more money than ad spots below the fold. Up to a certain point, the more ads above the fold you have, the more you will make. (You don’t want to have too many ads, but that alone deserves it’s own post) Having spaces that professionally and stylistically implement ads into your theme will make advertisers feel more comfortable about buying an ad at your site as well.

The Themeshock Effect
There is a common occurrence that I’ve noted multiple times after blogs buy their own custom themes. I’ve dubbed this the “Themeshock Effect”. If people really like your new theme, the least that is going to happen is that they will be more likely to remember your site. In many cases, implementing a new theme will get people talking about your site, which results in new visitors. Although it doesn’t always happen, I’ve noticed many blogs have their RSS feed nearly double in readership within the first few weeks after the new theme is set in place.

I have my hopes up. Whether or not I get the initial boost of traffic that so many other blogs seem to receive with a new theme, I do think that this purchase will pay off in the long run.

Be sure to check back often. I’m not giving out any specifics, but the new theme will most likely be ready well within two weeks from now, if not much less depending on how smoothly the design process goes.
I’m looking forward to it, and I hope you all are as well!