Prominent theme selector in header

Hello, I was browsing through all the theme components today to find a component that would allow me to display, in a clearly visible manner at the top right of my site, perhaps in the icon bar or at least at the top of my site’s home page, a theme selector. Perhaps in the form of a drop-down list or at least a toggle button, since I only have two themes. My idea, my specific need, is to clearly highlight the fact that there are two themes on my site. I need people to be able to choose between a blog-style theme with images and a much simpler theme. I know there is a toggle on the left sidebar, which is activated, of course, but it is not visible at all. Is there a component that would allow me to display this option of two themes or a drop-down list of themes at the top right of my site? Thank you.

This is the toggle you’re referring, to right? Sidebar Theme Toggle

Can you clarify what you mean by “not visible at all”?

Perhaps you can share a screenshot to help illustrate?

I’m curious to learn more about your use case as well here.

Do you expect people to have a preference and generally stick with the theme they choose (and that you need to help them discover they can do that at all)?

Or is it that you expect people to be able to switch back and forth regularly, (e.g. depending on what content they are looking at)?

Or something else?

1 Like

Hello, I would like to provide some clarifications. The theme toggle button located at the bottom left of the site’s sidebar is indeed visible, but it is very small and can easily be overlooked. Many users may not scroll down to the bottom of the sidebar or may not display the sidebar at all.

Here is my particular situation: my site uses a blog theme by default, with article previews, which is perfect for new visitors and registrants. However, this site also serves as a technical support forum for CAD software. Users accustomed to such forums may not be interested in blog posts with images; they prefer direct access to questions and answers.

To cater to both needs, I offer two themes: a default blog theme with images and article excerpts, and a simpler, more streamlined theme for the technical forum, based on the Foundation theme without article previews. I have documented this option in my admin announcements category, but I want to make it more visible to new visitors. Therefore, I would like to add a highly visible button at the top of the site that allows users to easily switch between the blog theme and the more streamlined technical forum theme.

1 Like

Does the same content equally serve both audiences?

If you could wave a magic wand, is this two theme solution your preference?

Or would it be better different areas/categories of the site styled according to their primary audience, with a single theme?

I could imagine the theme switcher being a more expedient solution even if you’d ultimately prefer the latter, but I am curious.

1 Like

I would say yes. Members of the site will be interested in both general news from the world of CAD and related topics, such as new technologies and artificial intelligence, which are subjects I pay particular attention to. On the other hand, these same members will also be people who will probably not ask questions for the most part, but will try to answer them since they are users of Autodesk CAD software, which is my main target audience. So I would say that I cannot separate the two themes by saying that there are two pieces of content per theme. The two themes, and therefore the two ways of presenting things, are potentially of common interest to both.

Definitively yes.

No, because I myself am a long-time community manager in the field of CAD, with 40 years of experience using CAD software and well over 25 years of managing communities on forums. I know my audience very well. And I know that some of the people who want to answer technical CAD questions will be put off by the blog format. On the other hand, I don’t want to deprive them of the information that my blog will provide. It’s a matter of personal preference, hence the choice between the two themes. I know that some people I know very well will be put off by the blog aspect and will go straight to the simpler theme. And I know that others, who may not necessarily be technical people, but perhaps technical and sales people from certain CAD editors, for example, will be very interested in the blog aspect while also enjoying taking a look at the technical side of software support questions.

Yes, of course. Thank you for your questions. They may inspire others who might have similar questions. My case is certainly specific, but in my opinion, it is definitely not unique.

2 Likes

Hi, I think I could use that TC for that (see below), but question, what action should I attach to that menu item? :face_with_raised_eyebrow:

How often do you expect your users to switch between themes? It sounds to me like that’s something they very rarely do. Then, I find a button that is constantly displayed rather annoying. It always takes up space, even if you have already selected your favorite for a long time.
So, maybe a different place for user education about selecting the preferred theme would be more helpful. Maybe a banner like Notification Banners, where you can decide which groups you show it to (for example, to show it when the user reaches a certain trust level), could help.

3 Likes

Yes the notification banner TC might be a better solution, I agree, I will look at that, thanks.