1. Responsive Design: The theme automatically adjusts its layout based on the device’s screen size. An example of a responsive theme has a three-column layout on a desktop screen but switches to a single-column layout on a mobile device to make it easier to read.
2. SEO-Friendliness: Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) is about helping your website get noticed by people using search engines. An SEO-friendly theme is built in a way that helps search engines easily understand and index your website’s content.
3. Speed: Some themes have a lot of extra features and design elements that can slow your website down. A theme designed with speed in mind will load faster, leading to a better end-user experience and potentially better SEO rankings.
4. Customizability: This refers to how much you can alter the look and feel of the theme. Some themes allow you to change things like colours and fonts or even the layout of different pages.
5. Compatibility: refers to whether the theme works well with other software. For example, if you need to use a specific WordPress plugin on your site, you must ensure it’s compatible with your chosen theme.
6. Support: If you run into problems with your theme, it’s essential to have a way to get help. Some theme developers offer customer support to help you solve any issues.
7. Features and Functionality: Depending on what you want to achieve with your website, you may need specific features in your theme. For example, if you plan to sell products on your site, you’ll need a theme supporting eCommerce.
8. Ratings and Reviews: Reading through user reviews can quickly help you to gauge the quality of a theme and the level of customer service its developer provides. It’s a valuable way to understand what other users think.
9. Security: Some themes may have vulnerabilities that could make your site susceptible to hacking. It’s essential to choose a theme that is built with solid security practices in mind.
10. Documentation and Support: Good documentation can make setting up and customising your theme much more straightforward. Also, consider whether the theme has a community or a support team available to help you if you encounter problems.
11. Pricing: Some themes are free, while others require a one-time purchase or a subscription. Choose a free theme or invest in a premium one, depending on your budget and needs.
So what are some examples of themes that meet all of these criteria?
Here is a list of my three preferred options. Each one has a proven reputation for quality code, great support and the features needed to be a versatile platform for almost any type of website.
- GeneratePress (free & Pro)
- Blocksy
- Kadence
Conclusion
In conclusion, choosing a WordPress theme involves more than just picking one that looks good. It’s also important to consider factors like responsiveness, SEO-friendliness, speed, customizability, compatibility, support, specific features, security, documentation, and pricing.