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Guide on How to Choose WordPress Theme
The term WordPress has become very popular over the last few years. It is a free and open source content management system.
Developed initially as a blog publishing system, WordPress today has evolved as the most used CMS.
WordPress is used for creating all sorts of websites and blogs and other content. This makes themes an essential part of WordPress.
There are thousands of themes out there and each looks better than the others. This fact makes it tough to choose the best WordPress theme.
Before we guide you on how to choose a WordPress theme, let’s first know what a WordPress theme is.
WordPress theme is the skin that is detrimental to how a website looks. It is the theme that decides upon the layout, design and colors that appear on the website.
WordPress themes are essentially required to make a website look attractive.
These themes are of three different types:
#1 Parent Themes
Every theme in WordPress can act as a parent theme. Such themes can be customized as per the requirements of the website owner.
Parent themes are also essentially required to create child themes.
#2 Child Themes
Child themes are sub-themes created from parent themes. These themes inherit all the features of the parent theme.
When a child theme is created, it can also be updated and changed. These updates to the theme are preserved even if the parent theme does not get changed.
This simply means that the child theme can act independently of its parent theme.
#3 Theme frameworks
Theme framework is a code library. These allow the development of themes.
A theme framework may come with its own themes or a new theme can be built within the framework.
With theme framework, you can give new features to the themes. Also you can get access to customization abilities and several design options.
Now, let’s help you choose a WordPress theme….
* Make sure that the theme matches the purpose of the website
Every website is created for a different purpose. A website can be as simple as a blog or it can be a complex e-commerce website.
The WordPress theme must match this purpose. For instance, if the website is an e-commerce website, the theme must be so chosen that it makes buying easy for customers.
* Ensure that the theme matches the personality of the website
Every WordPress theme has a unique personality. The personality of the theme must match that of the blog or website.
For instance, for a fun blog, a corporate theme will not look good.
When a theme matches the personality of the website, the website looks more attractive.
*Select a theme that is within your budget
Budget plays a very important role in choosing a WordPress theme.
WordPress themes are available at all types of budgets. There are themes that you can get for free. WordPress also sells themes that can cost you a small fortune.
You first need to decide your budget and then select a theme that is available within it.
*Check the licensing options
WordPress is open source software. This is why it comes with a GPL license.
GPL license means the code can be modified to suit your requirements.
All WordPress themes are under this GPL license too. This license also makes it possible for you to use the theme on multiple websites.
So, it is recommended that you check GPL license for the theme and choose it.
However, there are also restrictive licenses for WordPress themes. These licenses do not allow the theme to be used on multiple websites.
You must check whether the theme is a liberal one or restrictive one. You must choose a WordPress theme that suits your future requirements.
*Choose a theme that is responsive
You know that it is critical for a website to generate a lot of traffic. WordPress theme dictates the manner in which a website looks and works.
Websites these days need to be accessible over several devices. Also the website needs to work well across all types of devices.
Therefore, it is essential to choose a WordPress theme that makes this possible. In other words, the theme must be responsive enough to accommodate to the device.
*WordPress theme must work across all browsers
You must always choose a theme that works on all browsers.
You need to make sure that the chosen theme makes your sites accessible and workable across all major browsers.
So, before you choose a WordPress theme, make sure to check the popular browsers being used by internet users.
*WordPress theme must be compatible with the latest version of WordPress
When you choose a WordPress theme, make sure that it is compatible with the latest version of WordPress.
The theme chosen must be compatible with at least WordPress 5.0. This prevents the website from upgrade issues.
Also a compatible theme makes it easier to get a rich editing experience. This allows you to edit the website or a blog in a very convenient manner.
*The theme must work with common plug-ins
The theme you choose must work with the common plug-ins. The theme must not cause conflicts with the plug-ins.
Conflicts usually occur when the theme has same code as plug-ins. Such themes must be avoided. Most themes in WordPress have plug-ins.
The most common plugins are for SEO, social sharing, backup and contact forms. The theme you choose must also have WP Legal Pages and Privacy and Terms Generator Plugin.
Themes also come with default styling for all the essential plug-ins. Therefore, the theme you choose must also do so.
*Check if the theme works with page builders
When you choose a WordPress theme, make sure to check that it works with page builders. The theme must support page builder plug-ins.
Page builder is used to design a webpage in an easy manner. The advantage of a page builder is that it offers a drag and drop interface.
Page builders are used to create special pages in a website. Common page builders that can be used include Visual Composer, Elementor and Beaver Builder.
So, the WordPress theme you choose must have plug-ins for these builders at least.
*Choose a light-weight and fast loading theme
A website that loads fast is liked by most users. Websites that take a lot of time to load are left by visitors in a few seconds.
Therefore when you choose a WordPress theme, make sure it enables fast loading of webpages. The theme must be light on the browser.
The theme chosen must send minimal number of server requests. Also the theme must pre-connect with server resources.
This is essentially needed for the website to work and load in a quick manner. When this happens, visitors stay on the website for long. This also helps the website to generate optimal traffic.
*Choose a theme that is easy to use and customize
There may be instanced when you would need to customize your theme. There are themes that come with customization options. So, these are easy to use and customize.
However, there are also themes that may come with very few customization options. This limits the use of the themes.
Basically you need to choose themes that have an apt number of customization options. These must not be too few or too many.
So, choose a theme that makes it easy to customise branding, navigation, colours and topography of websites.
*Check if the theme is extendable or not
You need to choose a theme that can be extended. This simply means that a child theme can be created from a theme.
When themes can be extended, their functionality can be increased. This is advantageous as basic customization may not always be enough for websites.
So, when a theme is extendable, its customization options are also more.
*Choose a theme developed by a reputed developer
Because WordPress is open source software, themes are available from several developers.
The developers may be fresh coders or experienced ones. It is therefore essential to be extra careful when choosing a theme.
You must try to choose a WordPress theme developed by an expert. This helps to overcome security and support related issues.
*Check how frequently is the theme updated
You know that WordPress is updated frequently. So, if you choose a theme that is not compatible with the latest version, it will be useless.
You must always choose a theme that works with the latest updated version of WordPress.
Also if an obsolete theme is chosen, the website may fail or there may be security issues. The theme must be updated to fix any types of security issues.
*Check the supporting documentation
Always choose a WordPress theme that comes with supporting documents.
Supporting documentation is necessary so that you can configure the theme easily. When you request for support, it can be time-consuming.
But if you have the documentation, you can configure the theme on your own in a convenient manner. With the documentation, installation of the theme also becomes easy.
*Ensure that the theme developer provides support
You may sometimes need to get in touch with the developer of the theme. So, you must make sure that the developer provides support.
The good and reputed theme developers offer ticket-based or forum-based support. This way the developer responds to problems you may face when using the themes.
The support offered by the developer may be related to the working or installation of the theme.
*Choose a WordPress theme that is optimized for search
The theme you choose must come with basic schema support for websites.
WordPress themes must be optimized using on-page optimization. In essence, the structure of the HTML tags used must be correct. This is essential to ensure the correct output or display.
*Choose an accessible theme
The theme must be accessible by all types of people irrespective of their conditions.
This means that the theme must be usable by people with disabilities as well. In other words, all types of people must be able to understand, navigate and interact with your website.
And for this, choosing an accessible theme is necessary.
*Choose a translatable theme
If you have a multi-lingual website, make sure that the chosen theme is translatable.
When a website uses a translatable theme, the website becomes easy to use and navigate by people of all languages.
*Check about the money back guarantee
Sometimes you choose a theme but after using it, it does not work well for you.
In this case if you have purchased the theme, you would want to return it. Also you would want to get back money.
For this, you need to check if the chosen theme comes with money back guarantee or not.
Always prefer to choose a theme where your money can be refunded by the theme shop.
Now that you know how to choose a WordPress theme, you also need to know where to look for themes. Here are a few suggestions:
WordPress.org Theme Repository-Here, you will find free, premium and feature-rich themes. All themes are GPL compatible.
WordPress.com Themes- Here you can choose free themes that are of very high quality. You can also buy premium and feature rich themes.
Reputed Theme Shops- There are many theme shops that sell themes or offer themes for free. Good examples are CyberChimps, StudioPress and Elegant Themes.
You now know how to choose a WordPress theme that sets your website for success. It is however not an easy task to choose a theme for your website or blog.
Choosing a WordPress theme can be a time-consuming process. You need to keep a lot of patience to choose the perfect WordPress theme.
You also must make sure that you keep visiting your website now and then. This is essential to check if you are choosing a theme that matches the website design.
Only when you do this, will you be able to choose a WordPress theme that works for your website or blog and underlines your success.
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