How long until you have a custom theme made?

When you're starting a brand new community, how long does it take you (and what does it take) to make the decision of working with someone to have a custom theme made? I'm sure you wouldn't want to regret an investment like that, so what are some of the precautions you would take first to make sure you will really be developing the project?

 

I do it myself, so it just takes me some minutes to actually think out the theme and some days to actually make my 'dream' come true. ^___^ Pretty fun to experiment too! I love making new themes.

 

I waited for a full year before committing to a fully custom theme. I've now narrowed it down to the person who will be doing it for me and he's hopefully going to start work on it towards the end of the month!

Personally, I think that a pre-made style with some tweaks to it does the job initially until you can get a good sense on whether your community is going to 'take flight' or not. Once you get that confirmation in your mind, then you can commit to taking the custom style plunge.

That is, unless you are doing the style yourself and then I'd have it done before the official launch of the site.

 

I can't wait to see how it turns out!

I couldn't agree more.

I know - that's a perk I wish I had myself, lol.

 

I would never begin a new online community without having a custom style.
In fact - I'm about 1 - 2 weeks from launching my newest forum - I think it's looking mighty sweet thus far, have had some interesting comments about the niche, concept & style - I'm hoping to make it a success right out of the gate - and really the best way to do that is to have a custom, unique, solid style that sets you apart from the competition

Jacquii.

 

Very cool, Jacquii! I look forward to seeing this new project. Be sure to let us know when it's up.

 

Yes! Sure will

Jacquii.

 

Lucky me, I've already seen a lot of MsJac's new project!

It definitely is a labor of love, like her Poetry in Color forum!

 

I have a checklist of items to be done to bring a new forum online. One of them is having the theme in place.

 

Thanks Dude - yes - it's most certainly a labor of love.
I've been working on the homepage customization now - then will be most ready to launch, after a few things are in placy tehehehe

Jacquii.

 

From the moment the domain was bought. Then, I started on a custom style. I wouldn't use anyone's style so I guess any style I have implemented on my site is custom (exclusive to my site).

 

I think that custom themes should only be purchased if you're dead sure your forum is going to take off. I'd rather just use the custom with a few tweaks and a temporary premade that I've purchased. Then when the community gets active, surprise them with a custom theme/skin.

 

Most of my forums have ready-made templates that I've tweaked a bit, one I've done myself, but I'm in the process of getting a custom design done.

 

I completely agree. Personally, I wouldn't invest the money if I'm not positive that the site would be a success.

 

This,

If I could go back and do it all over again I would have a custom skin...maybe even coded. Now I'm tied up with some remodeling work on my moms house I'm having to wait on things like a skin.