WordPress has been the go-to option for people who want to create websites. Aside from the ease of use and customizable design, the platform has a great number of both free and paid theme options. If you are a beginner, you’re probably overwhelmed in selecting a theme that best matches your needs. In this article, you will know how to choose the right option with confidence. Are you ready? Let’s get started!
9 Things to Consider While Choosing the Best WordPress Theme for Your Site:
1. Look for Something Simple but Effective
It is tempting to choose themes with complicated layouts, color variety, and even flashy animations.
But pause and think. It is always best to take advantage of a theme that resonates to your pain points, goal, and needs.
Let’s say you have a stunning website. But it would not be enough when the theme compromises its usability, simplicity, and performance.
Make sure your choice does not have a complex presentation style. Businesses with a website that allows target users to find the information they need always have the edge over the competition. This means you can create a great web traffic, boost internet visibility, and improve client conversion over time.
2. Take Advantage of Responsive Themes
Before, responsive themes were only optional. Things have changed today. It is now a factor to any website’s success.
Responsive WordPress theme particularly adjusts its layout across devices of any type, model, and brand.
Over the past few years, internet web traffic has been generated from handheld devices like smartphones. Depending on your page, your site can generate at least 50% of your traffic according to research.
Popular search engines like Google show that any mobile-friendly websites rank 1st in terms of mobile search results.
While most WordPress themes are responsive by default, there are some that don’t have this feature. So, before you invest in a theme, do some research. Read reviews online for your peace of mind.
3. Great Compatibility with Today’s Top Browsers
Not all of your target customers use the same browsers. Some surf the net using Google. Others prefer to use Mozilla Firefox.
For that reason, you have to be wary when picking a WordPress theme. Make sure it works in different browsers, including Chrome, Opera, Safari, Firefox, Edge, Mozilla Firefox, and more. This helps you build brand awareness, establish your credibility, and lead to a good return on investment.
4. Choose a Theme that Supports Plugins
WordPress has been gaining a massive popularity around the world because of its wide selection of plugins. Each plugin allows you to add a contact form, optimize your webpage for search engine optimization (SEO), integrate backups of your site, create a membership area, and even add a live chat.
However, not all WordPress themes support plugins, including W3Total Cache, Gravity Forms, Yoast SEO, and other popular options.
You can ask the developer whether or not your chosen theme supports several plugins. If not, look for other excellent alternatives. Yes, it requires a lot of time and patience. But all of your efforts will pay off at the end of the day.
5. Multilingual-Ready
There are many reasons why a person leaves a website and find another alternative. The language is a common problem people experience.
When choosing a WordPress theme, pick the one that is translation ready. It must also support multilingual plugins.
While it is tempting to invest in the cheapest theme, it is always excellent to purchase options that are available at a competitive price. Although it might cause a dent in your savings to account in the first place, you could expect quality and immediate results.
6. Page Builders
Another factor to consider is a page builder. But what is it, and how does it work? Well, it is a WordPress plugin used to create and develop page layouts with drag and drop interface.
Today’s WordPress themes are available with pre-installed page builders that you have to avoid, especially when creating landing pages.
While they can help cut down the costs, pre-installed page builders might result in unwanted code that can be a headache. Although you can get rid of them, it is time-consuming and overwhelming to deal with.
Instead of pre-installed page builders, select themes with reliable and sought-after plugins. Ask some of your closest friends or colleagues for referrals so that you can focus on other important web creation/design aspects.
7. Available with 24/7 Customer Support
Which is better between a free and paid WordPress theme? Of course, some would choose the free package to save some cash.
But it would be more cost-effective to invest in a paid theme because it is packed with excellent features like 24/7 customer support.
Whether you mess up your theme or don’t know how to fix it, there will be certified and experienced professionals who you can depend on.
If you have already used a free theme, you can hire a third-party developer to address the problem right away.
8. SEO-Friendly
Search engine optimization is known because of its potential to improve your site’s user experience, increase online presence, build brand credibility, promote traffic, attract local customers, and boost conversions.
Aside from content, a WordPress theme can make your site SEO-friendly as it can generate coded HTM, which can improve your rankings in popular search engines like Google and Bing.
While most developers promise to provide themes that are SEO-optimized, it is ideal to see whether your choice generates quality HTML5 or not.
9. Customer Reviews
While it is one of the most ignored factors when selecting a WordPress theme, don’t do the same thing.
Although you have a busy schedule, find time to read customer reviews online. Is the theme of your choice, not SEO-friendly? If yes, look for another feature-packed alternative.
Bottom Line
You have chosen a domain name, registered a domain, or signed up with a hosting web service.
What’s next? It’s time to set up a website using WordPress. During the process, you have to choose a theme that will make your website different from the rest. Therefore, avoid using the cheapest solution. A paid WordPress theme is always the best!
