If you use WordPress as a content management system (CMS) , you have probably already encountered the term “WordPress theme.” Themes play a crucial role in the overall appearance of a website and help you create a good-looking site without having to use a lot of code..

With the right theme, WordPress users can customize their web design elements, including color and typography, to reflect their brand personality.

This tutorial will explain what a WordPress theme is and how it is different from a template. You will also learn about the different types of themes and how to choose the right one for your WordPress website.

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What is a WordPress theme?
A WordPress theme is a collection of files that form the basis of your site’s appearance, including page layouts, style sheets, and sidebar placement. These files will determine how your blog posts and pages will appear to website visitors.

What can a WordPress theme do?
WordPress themes help site owners create a website without using code to make it from scratch. You can simply activate a theme from the WordPress directory or purchase it through a third-party store and upload the file to your WordPress admin area.

A theme can drastically change the design of your site with theme features such as:

  • Navigation menus.
  • Custom headers.
  • Custom backgrounds.
  • Sidebars.
  • Post format.

A new WordPress website comes with a default theme installed that is simple and lightweight. You can use it or change it to a free or premium theme.

Note that design elements may change significantly once you replace the WordPress themes since each one often has a specific style and purpose. For example, some might be better suited for complex business sites, while others are perfect for simple portfolio sites.

By default, users can only activate one theme at a time. To activate multiple WordPress themes , install a plugin such as Multiple Themes..

Unlike a WordPress plugin that adds a specific feature to a site, a theme should not have crucial functionality . Therefore, users will not lose a critical feature if they change the theme.

What is the difference between a WordPress theme and a WordPress template?
The difference between WordPress themes and templates is the number of pages you can apply them to. A theme controls the appearance of an entire site, while a template defines a single-page layout.

Two required WordPress theme files are:

  • Index.php – the main WordPress template file.
  • Style.css – the main style file.

A theme folder can also include additional files, such as:

  • PHP files, including template files for creating classic themes.
  • Blocks and HTML files for developing block themes.
  • CSS style sheet.
  • Graphics.
  • JavaScript.

Some WordPress themes offer multiple template files for further customization within the overall theme. For example, a theme may contain two landing page templates, a full-width version and a reduced-width version, or have a different look and feel for blog and portfolio pages.

Types of WordPress themes
There are over 9,000 free themes in the WordPress theme directory alone, not to mention those available on marketplaces.

To help users filter themes based on specific needs, the WordPress directory categorizes its themes into:

  • Layout : classifies themes according to a page format, such as a three-column or grid layout.
  • Functionality : refers to the specific attributes that many people look for in a theme, such as RTL language support and footer widgets.
  • Subject matter : groups themes according to their purpose and niche, such as portfolio and education themes.

In addition to these categories provided in the filter function of the WordPress directory, we will look at other types of WordPress themes in more detail below, starting with free and premium themes.

Free WordPress themes and premium themes
Independent developers and high-end vendors typically create free WordPress themes as a temptation for their premium packages.

They are an excellent option for users on a budget. In addition, they are available in the WordPress.org theme directory where they are required to pass a rigorous review process . As a result, users can be assured of quality and safety.

Free WordPress themes are also easy to access as users can browse and activate them directly from the admin dashboard..

One of the main disadvantages of free WordPress themes is their limited support, both in the form of documentation and direct communication with the creators. Some developers provide support via WordPress forums, but they are not obligated to do so.

This can be a problem if you need to fix a bug or change an element in the theme.

Another drawback is their lack of uniqueness. Free WordPress themes are widely available and have limited customization features, which may make your site design generic and require some code knowledge or a page builder to customize it.

Unlike free WordPress themes , the premium version is available for purchase on third-party WordPress theme stores, such as:

  • Elegant Themes
  • StudioPress
  • Themeforest
  • Mojo Marketplace

Alternatively, you can purchase buy buy a premium theme directly from theme developers, such as aThemes or ThemeIsle . Dedicated developers typically have multiple themes and often provide top-notch customer support. However, they may not display user ratings as in a theme marketplace or WordPress theme directory.

Here are some of the major benefits of using premium WordPress themes:

  • Advanced features : include custom content and graphics, as well as search engine optimization (SEO) features.
  • Unique design : choose from several customization options, including built-in drag-and-drop builders, multiple templates and extensive color choices.
  • Regular support : contact via forum, email or phone.

However, advanced features in premium WordPress themes can weigh down the code, overload the server and affect loading speed. Their price can also be relatively high and they may still require an additional monthly or annual fee.

Multipurpose and niche themes
A multipurpose theme serves various uses and niches. It usually includes several extensions, widgets and pages to provide more options for users to customize sites, regardless of industry.

One of the most popular themes that fall into this category is Divi .

It is not only great for a blog or portfolio theme, but also for a WooCommerce theme because of its specific features.

In parallel, a niche theme often targets specific industries or topics, such as blogs and entertainment or eCommerce sites.

The features or customization choices in niche themes generally are not as many as multipurpose themes, but they have the exact requirements for your specific needs.

Personalias is a great example of this category. This blog theme has a minimal and elegant design, a grid layout, and a sidebar for comments and recent posts.

Parent themes vs. child themes
A parent theme refers to a complete theme that includes all the required templateWordPress files.

Otherwise, a child theme or child theme inherits the main features and appearance of the main theme, but allows developers to modify it without altering the main theme.

WordPress theme developers will tell you if a theme is a child theme in the description and label it “This is a child theme of X” in the sidebar, as in the example below.

Custom Themes
A custom theme is an excellent way to achieve a unique look and feel, such as animation and 3D integration. It is often suitable for specific websites such as ecommerce.

Several factors can contribute to the cost of a custom theme, such as the timeline of the project and the location of the developer. However, the price can start from $1,750 for a standard custom theme to $25,000 for a project with complex features.

How to choose a WordPress theme?
Here’s what to look out for when choosing the right theme for your WordPress site:

  1. Understand your needs
    The first step in choosing an ideal WordPress theme is to decide the purpose of the website, whether it is a simple blog , a digital portfolio or an online shop .

Each of them will need different features and layouts. A photography portfolio for example might require a gallery layout and animations to attract customers, while content-focused sites might be better with a minimalist design.

Create a list of what you want to include in your site. Some features to consider for a WordPress theme are:

  • Social media widgets
  • Accessibility
  • Translation support
  • Contact form on the homepage
  • Comments section or forum
  • E-commerce compatibility

Next, list your preferred site design options, such as layout and editor styles. Many WordPress themes are customizable, but we recommend choosing the one that reflects your brand image for a faster development process.

A great tip is to check out demo sites for a WordPress theme. Click the Homepage link of the theme in the official directory if you decide on free WordPress themes. Then, click on the View Demo Sites button . Keep in mind that on other websites this button may have a different name.

Here you can estimate what your WordPress site will look like as it contains demo content, including page layout, custom widgets, and plugin support.

Also, list existing WordPress websites and their features you like, then use a tool like What WordPress Theme Is That? to find out what WordPress theme and plugins they use.

  1. Check the Customization Options.
    Sometimes, users may find a theme suitable for their brand, but still want to customize it further to ensure that each page shows their personality.

One way to check the customization of a theme is to install the theme, go to Appearance -> Themes in the WordPress dashboard, and click on Live Preview .

Next, you should see the WordPress theme customization dashboard and theme customization features in the left sidebar

Advanced users can use more comprehensive customization options as they can edit WordPress theme files from the administration area using the ‘Theme Editor .

Visiting the theme website is also a great way to learn about available customization options. For example,

Some popular WordPress themes such as Themify and Divi themes have built-in theme builders, so check out these tools for better alignment and understanding of customization options.