Why Are Most Wordpress Themes Right Column?

[Shopping4Coupons]

I have a theme question I can't seem to find an answer on.

If we all normally read left to right how come most Wordpress themes have the columns on the right hand side? Wouldn't it make more sense to put it on the left since that is where the eye is drawn to first?

Well either way if you know where I can find a collection of Wordpress themes that are left columns style please drop a link here.

Thanks in advance

[tylergraffam]

I think that they are mostly right column because the designers like the readers to see the content of the page, not the sidebar. Or maybe it has do with being right or left handed? Hm... I don't know though... Odd. I know the themes I design are right columned.

[bliss]

In my opinion, its on right side because you hold your mouse with right hand . the links on sidebar is nearer to your mouse cursor .

[Ferox]

You want them to read content, so you put content on the left. Navigation and the page scroll on the right.

I wrote a post here with a number of links to free theme sites. The first site has a search option that lets you search by left side bars (if that's what you're looking for), and slider v3 lets you move your sidebar to suit.
Bushie’s Net Guide » Where to find free wordpress themes?

[Bloggeries]

There are so many wordpress themes available that I think it all depends where you stumble upon regarding placement of columns. I do know that of my limited adsense accumulation top left has always been a great place.

I also agree that it's where our eyes focus first.

[loco.m]

I've seen several styles with left and right columns, but I agree that the trend right now is content on the left and navigation on the right.

[Bloggeries]

Originally Posted by loco.m

I've seen several styles with left and right columns, but I agree that the trend right now is content on the left and navigation on the right.

Maybe it's to put an emphasis on the actually "meat" or "content" over the navigation? Who knows?

[Hendry Lee]

It is proven that left side of the screen is seen more frequently than the right hand side.

But some blog designers may not realize about it when they design their themes, just for the sake of design and aesthetic.

If you find a great theme that you like, I bet it is not difficult to turn it into a left-side column theme. You need to modify it to make it seem unique to your blog / niche anyway.

[greenmamba]

I think both left and right can work, and both have their pro's and con's.

People are more used to a left column and they tend to naturally look for the navigation there. On the other hand, they are also getting used to the right column by now and if it is clearly indicated, there should not be a problem with finding it.

Right column is good if you want your content to draw attention since the eye will naturally go to the hot spot in the top left. If you are trying to make money from adsense then it would be a good idea to place a large adsense block here.

Left column is good if you want to have your advertisement or adsense block in the left hand column, but then the problem is that you will interfere with your navigation, which is once again, not good.

So as far as I am concerned, right is actually better, whether it was intentionally designed like that or not.

[Shopping4Coupons]

Thank you for all the good answers and Ferox for pointing me to a place that I can search for left column themes. I'm working on a policy and procedure site and need the index to be on the left side and I also need it to be a full width theme.