WordPress® All-in-One For Dummies®

Changing Your Background Graphic

Using background graphics is an easy way to set your site apart from others that use the same theme. A background graphic for your site can be compared to finding just the right desktop background for your computer. You can choose from a variety of background graphics for your site the way you can for your computer desktop, such as photography, abstract art, and repeatable patterns.

You can find ideas for new and different background graphics by checking out some of the CSS galleries on the Web, such as http://cssdrive.com and http://csselite.com. Sites like these should be used for inspiration only, not theft. Be careful when using images from outside sources. You only want to use graphics and images that you have been given the right (through express permission or licenses that allow you to reuse) to use on your sites. For this reason, we suggest purchasing graphics from reputable sources. Three of our favorite online graphic sites include:

• iStockphoto (http://istockphoto.com): An extensive library of stock photography, vector illustrations, video and audio clips, and Flash media. You can sign up for an account and search through libraries of image files to find the image that suits you, or your client, best. The files that you use from iStockphoto aren't free; you do have to pay for them—and be sure that you read the license for each image you use from them. They have several different licenses. The cheapest one is their Standard License, which ...