Great Tips for Choosing WordPress Themes

WordPress is the most prominent content management system (CMS) in the world, powering about a third of the internet. It is a relatively easy platform to use and tweak, making it ideal for both small and big businesses. Another primary reason many people and companies utilize it is the numerous themes available, suiting almost every need. Rather than starting a site from scratch, you can simply get another template or modify the current one to match your needs.

Well, with the many theme options to pick from, it can sometimes be overwhelming, especially if you are a novice to the platform or have just completed one of the many online courses about WordPress on the web. Not all templates feature the same quality, and some can even be dangerous to your campaign. So, how do you pick a WordPress theme that will work to benefit your cause and not experience any downsides? Well, in this post, we are going to discuss a few intuitive tips on the selection process as well as the common mistakes to avoid.

Design isn’t The Primary Criteria

When it comes to picking themes, most people tend just to consider the design, which is a mistake you don’t want to make. Yes, it’s not the least aspect to consider, but there are many other facets to look into. When picking a WordPress theme, you should know just what you need, your target audience, the kind of content you want to publish, and other special aspects like advertising banners or blocks. Before falling in love with a design, ensure that it functions to your liking and has excellent community support.

Avoid Complex Templates

Some themes might look and function to your liking, but if they slow down the site, you will only lose visitors who are your potential clients. So, ensure that the WP theme you pick is agile and well optimized. Otherwise, you will be looking at frustrating days ahead.

Use Credible Theme Sources

It is also vital to avoid getting your templates from unknown sources. Only go for credible ones or the official source. This ensures that there are no spam links, viruses, or errors in code. The official WordPress site is the safest source, which already hosts a wide array of themes from free to premium ones, which will certainly meet your needs.

When going through trusted sources, you can ideally check reviews to ensure the theme is supported and that the users are getting prompt answers to their inquiries.

 Start with a Demo Version

Before you commit to a template, ensure you try the demo first. Some of the things to pay attention to include: readable fonts, useful signs (i.e hints, interactive highlighting, etc.), use of visual content, and unusual grits. Experiment with the demo and see if it feels intuitive and whether it matches your brand. If you like it, then you can go ahead and install it.

Responsive Design is Essential

Nowadays, it is imperative to have a design that’s usable on every device, particularly smartphones and tablets. That’s because more and more people are using these devices on the regular, and while on the go that it would be frustrating to have sites that aren’t mobile-friendly. As a matter of fact, you are more likely to get traffic from mobile devices compared to desktops and laptops. Also, Google rewards websites with a responsive design, and so, it’s only vital that you get a theme that falls in this category.

SEO is Important

Search engine optimization has similar importance for your site as informative and interesting content. And no, we aren’t implying the sophisticated SEO strategies implemented in this arena. We are talking about the basic rules like utilizing lists, subheadings, H1’s, etc. All these mean better ranking on the search engines and more traffic overall.

Price Does Not Always Equate to Quality

Just because a theme goes for a premium does not mean it is what you need. There are numerous free WordPress themes that are of exceptional quality. Ensure you go through a bunch of themes before you decide to settle on a paid version.

Don’t Go For Common Templates

Given the wide usage of WordPress, you are bound to come across some standard themes that are used so much, that they make numerous sites look alike. But when in business, you want to stand out, and that is why it is imperative to pick a theme that describes your brand and individuality. This will not only amuse the visitors but ideally help with promoting your brand online.

Assess Your Competitors

Speaking of standing out, it is also smart to do research on your competitors. This will help you get a general view on other sites in your niche. This way, you will have a clear picture of what to do differently in terms of your template design and implementation.

Check The Tech Support

Some WordPress themes out there are old, abandoned, and no longer have support. The last thing you want is to deal with all the technicalities on your own, especially in this age where the web design and SEO requirements are constantly changing. So, check whether the theme has ongoing tech support. Also, check reviews and forums to know whether the template’s issues are fixed in a timely fashion.

Go For Flexible Themes

Chances are you have a logo that you would want to incorporate in your site’s design. Well, most templates can be easily tweaked, but others require serious configuration to meet such needs. So, if you want your company’s logo and other visual content to be included, ensure you check the theme’s flexibility.

Monetization

When picking a WP theme, it’s also essential to clarify the focus of your blog or website. If you are considering monetizing your site by placing ad banners, you’ll want to go for a theme with at least 4 blocks. This is adequate for everything. Also, don’t forget to check whether it supports the ad scrips you intend to use in the future.

And there you have it, a few simple tips to keep in mind when picking a WP theme for your site or blog.