How To Choose A WordPress Theme

60% of websites worldwide are powered by WordPress.

This is the best software for a website that’s why universities, schools, governments, corporations, and individuals use WordPress.

A WordPress Theme overlays the WordPress core framework. The Theme is created by a developer who is thoroughly familiar with HTML (hypertext markup language) or computer language.

The Theme has a particular style and will be topical, for a specific kind of website.

WordPress Themes come under the GPL (general public license) ruile. A Theme is used for one year and then the license must be renewed to use it for another year.

Even if the WordPress Theme is free it must be renewed for another year to continue using it. A developer who creates a theme is entitled to be paid for the use of their Theme.

The Theme Marketplace

There is no shortage of Themes in the market but you’ll find Themes that were developed several years ago.

You have to be sure the developer is current and updates the Theme regularly and offers documentation and tech support should you need it, and the chances are you will need the tech support.

The other problem is tech support is only available for six months. After that period you pay for support.

Not a good idea. You do not need to pay extra for tech support. This is why it’s best to find a Theme that is updated regularly, is enjoyable to use, and offers tech support at no extra charge.

The WordPress Theme Depository makes it easy to access a WordPress Theme.

The problem with this kind of Theme is that you have a limitation in how you can style or change the layout of the Theme.

Why would you want to do this if the Theme is already done? Because you will want to add more functionality to your website over time. A basic Theme of this nature will not accommodate the additions.

This is what you don’t know before you launch yourself into a free Theme or one with minimal cost.

I started out with my first WordPress website, paying for a Theme, and renewing it annually.

My website dilemma was finally solved by finding a Theme that gave me the flexibility to change the layout on any page, or post and I didn’t have to keep finding a new Theme each year.

The other issue was I could do all the changes myself and I didn’t need to know how to use HTML.

All software has a learning curve and it’s going to be improved and updated as time goes on. This is just the way technology works.

We now participate with advanced technology eco systems.

WordPress Core and WordPress Themes are becoming increasingly more advanced and able to do more than we did with a website than when WordPress was only a blogging platform in 2003. 

The Built In Page Builder

In 2013 theme developers realized there was too much complexity to add content to a web page. A web page is divided into sections, rows, and columns.  

Not everyone is familiar with HTML code and line breaks when adding content onto a web page. Users found it restrictive.

The introduction of the Page Builder was a stroke of genius, it created a better user experience.

You could now put content onto the web page and style the content. In truth, it was the Page Builder that gave me the inspiration to continue with my website. I was completely frustrated with WordPress because it was difficult to put an image next to some text without having to insert a page break using HTML tags.

The Page Builder guided me through the process of putting content onto the webpage.

I particularly liked the way I could style the content from the built in Design section.

Nothing I did needed any knowledge of code. I could change the layout, the style, the colors, and in general do what I wanted to do with the content on the page and a blog post.