As of this writing, there are almost 6,000 free WordPress themes available in the Free WordPress theme directory, and of course, there are also many premium paid themes as well. With such an ample amount of options, you should be able to find a perfect WordPress theme for your website.
“But Christina, I don’t even know what to look for when choosing a theme. Can I just pick a pretty theme I like?”
An excellent question!
When choosing a WordPress theme design, we tend to like visually attractive themes. However, there are some points you should check before committing yourself to a theme.
Watch video on the 6 things to consider when evaluating any WordPress theme:
Makes sense? Read below for what I covered in that video:
Here are the 6 Things to Ask When Picking a WordPress Theme Design:
1. Can You Get a Variety of Layouts with the Theme?
Do you want different layouts for your pages and your home page? Do you want a sidebar on certain pages but not on others? Different themes provide a different number of layout options.
2. Can You Create a Variety of Color Schemes with the Theme?
Many themes come with built-in color schemes that you can choose from. Some themes let you create your own color schemes, too. This is something to check out if color is important to you.
3. How Many Widgets Options Does it Have?
Widgets help you add content to various locations on your website, and the number of widgets or the location of the widgets varies from theme to theme.
4. How Many “Page Templates” Does the Theme Have?
Many people confuse “page templates” and “themes,” but they aren’t the same thing. A page template is a “template” with a set page layout, so the more templates a theme has, the more flexibility you will have.
5. Homepage Design?
A home page is very often the first page your website visitor will see, so you want to be very strategic about what to show on it! Give it some thought and choose a theme that allows you to showcase what you want on the home page.
6. Is The Theme Mobile Responsive?
More and more people are surfing the web on their phones instead of desktops. So, choose a theme to display your website beautifully and legibly on mobile devices and regular computer screens.
Final Thoughts…
When picking a WordPress theme for your website, there are many designs to choose from. For some, this can be overwhelming, but if you stick to the 6 points above, it will be much easier to make your decision. And the great thing is, if you pick a theme that does not work out, you can always swap it out for a new one!
Have fun exploring WordPress themes and experimenting!
The theme I use for this site is the magazine-style version of Divi, called the “Extra” Theme. Both themes are from Elegant Themes (my affiliate links).
