Finding the right theme
Finding the right WordPress theme can be a daunting task, especially with the numerous options available. However, there are certain factors to consider when selecting a theme that meets your needs.
If you haven’t chosen a theme yet, head over to the WordPress theme directory. It holds official WordPress themes, that have been checked and inspected against WordPress theme guidelines. They are also free to download. There are thousands of themes in the directory; this is where the WordPress theme search function comes in handy.
Use the theme search bar if you know the name or style of theme you want. The Feature Filter in the theme search function will narrow down the results. You can select your preferred layout format, which features you need, and the subject of your site. You might be looking for a single-column layout for a photography blog that features an animated background, for example.
You might want to browse for inspiration using the tabs for Featured Themes, Most Popular Themes and the Latest Additions to the directory. For more options, use the theme search to browse commercially supported GPL themes. These paid services include more support and are fully compliant with the WordPress General Public License.
Where to find WordPress themes (free and paid)
The biggest challenge you’ll face with themes isn’t installing it, it’s choosing the right one for your needs. To install a free WordPress theme, you can access the WordPress Theme Directory through your WordPress dashboard, browse the available themes, and follow the step-by-step guide to install and activate your chosen theme.
There are tens of thousands available, premium, and free, and an abundance of impressive designs. Free WordPress themes can be a viable option for beginners or those with a limited budget, though they may lack some features found in premium themes. If you don’t have a theme already, let’s take a look at where you can find one.
Choose a theme from the Official WordPress theme directory (free)
If you haven’t chosen a theme yet, head over to the WordPress theme directory. It holds official WordPress themes that have been checked and inspected against WordPress theme guidelines. They are also free to download. There are thousands of themes in the directory; this is where the WordPress theme search function comes in handy.
Use the theme search bar if you know the name or style of the theme you want. The Feature Filter in the theme search function will narrow down the results. You can select your preferred layout format, which features you need, and the subject of your site. You might be looking for a single-column layout for a photography blog that features an animated background, for example.
You might want to browse for inspiration using the tabs for Featured Themes, Most Popular Themes, and the Latest Additions to the directory. For more options, use the theme search to browse commercially supported GPL themes. These paid services include more support and are fully compliant with the WordPress General Public License.
Paid theme from a theme marketplace
We mentioned that it’s possible to take a premium or third-party theme. Premium themes are popular because they come with benefits rarely found in free versions. For example, you can expect extra support, more frequent updates, and extra features. WordPress users can find premium themes in marketplaces such as Themeforest, Css Igniter and StudioPress. Any theme listed outside of the WordPress.org directory, whether free, or paid must be downloaded, and we’ll cover how you can do that.