Your WordPress theme controls the appearance of your site. Choosing the right one saves significant development time. This guide covers what to look for when selecting a theme.
What to Look for in a Theme
- Performance: lightweight, fast-loading themes rank better and convert better. Avoid themes with 50+ plugins bundled.
- Responsiveness: must look good on mobile β test with Google's Mobile-Friendly Test
- Regular updates: look at the last updated date and user reviews
- Page builder compatibility: if you use Elementor or Gutenberg, verify compatibility
Installing a Theme
In WordPress, go to Appearance > Themes > Add New. Search the WordPress.org directory or click Upload Theme to install a premium .zip file. Click Install then Activate.
Using a Child Theme
If you plan to customise a theme's code, create a child theme first. When the parent theme updates, your customisations aren't overwritten. Many themes include a child theme generator; alternatively, use the Child Theme Configurator plugin.