There are two ways to have a front page, and you need to be aware of which method your theme uses, so you don’t wreck it!
We use StudioPress themes for a number of Premium Professional WordPress Designs. And sometimes we just add the templates ourselves, depending on the theme set up. What we do with this type of front page, is create a template that WordPress will automatically use for the front page (home.php). So you do nothing except select which categories you’d like to show up on the corresponding “blog” template.
Since WordPress 2.5 (I think?) they have integrated an option for those who do not have a custom front page template. Another reason you want to be on WordPress software: it is not only supported, but expanded and improved regularly! Find these options under Settings>> Reading (detailed tutorial in last week’s screencast.)
Be sure to check with your theme designer on which option your theme uses. If you do have an automatic set up, and then you select the WordPress Options by mistake, you will ruin the set up of your theme, and likely see a blank static page for your home page!
Now you know!
