How to Determine the WordPress Theme of Your Website
WordPress is one of the most popular content management systems around. It can be used to create a variety of websites and blogs. It is very easy to use and has an incredible community which can help you figure out any question you may have about it.
However, regardless of how skilled you are at using WordPress, it can be difficult to determine the theme that you should use for your website. Themes are sets of features and functionality which make up the ‘look’ of your site.
In this article, we will discuss some of the most important things to consider when selecting a wordpress theme, as well as providing you with an in depth look at a number of the most popular wordpress themes as of 2020.
Features
One of the primary things to consider when choosing a wordpress theme is the features it supports. Does it have a widget area? Can I add a subscription form to my site? Can I change the background color? These are all important questions which should be answered by the theme developer before you make any purchase decisions.
Beyond the appearance of your site, the functionality should match your business goals and ideas. Are you looking for a theme which is suitable for selling clothing online? Do you need a theme with a modern look to showcase your photography? Determining the functionality of a wordpress theme can be a challenge, but you can take a good guess at what the theme will provide based on the name and the description of the theme on the WordPress website.
Standards
Another important consideration when choosing a wordpress theme is the standards it adheres to. WordPress itself has a set of standards which they require all themes to adhere to. This ensures that all themes look the same as the other sites created with WordPress. It also means that you can be sure that the theme you are choosing will look the same on every computer and device.
There are four main standards which WordPress requires all themes to adhere to. These are:
- Vertical rhythm
- White space
- Link building
- Design consistency
These standards ensure that your site will look the same on every platform. Think of these like a style guide for web design.
For example, if you are using a responsive design, then you need to make sure that all the content is formatted in a way which is suitable for display on all platforms. This means you should have a set width for the columns which contain the posts and a set height for the area above the fold.
Style
A final key consideration when choosing a wordpress theme is the style. Do you want your site to be a splash of color or do you want it to be a classic gray and white site?
The style of your website will affect your choice of fonts, colors, and layout. Do you want a blog post to have a black background with white text or would you prefer a bright yellow background for your posts?
These are all important questions which will guide the style of your site. If you want a classic look, you should go with a clean white background with simple text and a few well placed images.
On the other hand, if you want your site to have a unique look, you can use colorful fonts, images, and a variety of backgrounds.
Cost
One of the most important things to consider when choosing a wordpress theme is the cost. Not only does choosing a quality theme mean you will have to spend more money upfront, but it also means you will have to pay more in-house developers to make minor updates and changes to the theme. The cost of a quality theme can range anywhere from several hundred to several thousand dollars.
If money is no object to you and you just want to find a good quality theme which you can use to build your site, go for it. There are many high quality themes available for download. However, if you need something more custom, save up the money first.
Security
Finally, we come to security. This is a key concern for every site owner, no matter what. When it comes to websites, hackers and hackers-wannabes are always looking to get their hands on your data. They want your credit card numbers, your personal information, and even your website’s content. To prevent this, make sure to take all the necessary steps to secure your site. Use a reputable security plug-in for WordPress or download a reputable WordPress plug-in for security. Consider using a VPN for your site and regularly updating your passwords.
These are the primary things to consider when choosing a wordpress theme. Of course, there are many other factors which could play a key role in the decision making process, such as the design of the website itself, whether you want a free or premium version, and more. But these are the four main considerations which will affect your decision.