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A WordPress theme controls the overall look and feel of your blog or website. They empower users to make their domain their own, keeping its appearance distinct and on-brand. The online space is crowded nowadays, and it is crucial that you stand out so you don’t get lost in the clutter.

Of course, there is such a thing as too much choice - and at WordPress, customers are spoiled for it. According to research conducted by Scepter Marketing, WordPress has over 31,000 themes in total. This enormous figure includes WooCommerce themes, membership site themes and multipurpose themes that fit almost any site type. For most users, it is unfeasible to sift through each in a bid to determine the perfect fit. 

Many WordPress themes are packed with customisation features. But if your theme is not coded correctly, these features can make it difficult to change themes or use other plugins. The risk is that you will be unable to switch themes without the help of an experienced developer, which is a considerable cost when most good themes come with a price tag to begin with. Another make-or-break concern is site speed. A theme may look slick, but if it slows down your website it’s never worth the candle. Low site speed can increase your bounce rate, compromise your user experience and drag you down in Google’s rankings.

Luckily, there are some best practices for you to follow so you can avoid these common pitfalls. Aesthetically, there is no one-size-fits-all solution since every site should have its own unique look that is aligned with its brand. But by nailing the basics below, you’ll be setting yourself up for success before you add the finishing touches.

Here are our top six points to consider when choosing your WordPress theme.

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1. Back to basics

They say that simplicity is the ultimate sophistication. This is certainly the case when it comes to good website design. Beware of themes with lots of colours, overcomplicated layouts and flashy animations. The key is for your WordPress theme to have a panache without going overboard.

On that note, don’t sacrifice substance in the name of style. Look for a Worptheme whose design supports your overall goal; one that is visually appealing without hindering the user experience. Whether you want visitors to read your blog, purchase your products or get in touch, make their path fuss-free and intuitive above all else. 

The beauty of WordPress is that it offers users building blocks in the form of plugins that can be added down the line. Think of your theme as the foundation. Once the basic structure is solid, you can start incorporating more advanced features and enhancements little by little.

2. Easy to customise

You may be able to find a theme that’s perfect right out of the box. But realistically, you’ll want to add personal touches to make it your own. This is where customisation comes in. 

Well-designed themes will have built-in options to change their design with ease. This process should be relatively straightforward with no technical expertise required. Choose a theme that is compatible with the WordPress customiser, which allows you to make updates via a fool-proof interface with the added luxury of a live preview. 

Some themes are more flexible than others, offering a wider range of customisable elements. It is helpful to have an idea of what features you are looking for, as this will narrow your search. Simply use the WordPress feature filter in the Theme Repository and select the options that are non-negotiable. 

3. Fully responsive

As of July 2022, mobile users account for 57% of online traffic in Australia. This upward trend is predicted to continue as more and more people of all ages are adapting to smaller screens. Aussies have the second highest smartphone penetration rate in the world, with a whopping 79.6% of the population owning an iPhone or Android. In this climate, gone are the days when a mobile-responsive interface was an optional frill.

A fully responsive platform allows content to flow freely across all devices, regardless of their screen size or resolution. This includes laptops, computers, tablets and phones. Choose a theme that not only looks amazing across all devices, but is also just as simple to use with menus and other widgets that are easy to navigate.

Make sure to run plenty of tests across various devices, screen sizes and browsers. If your favourite theme isn’t as responsive as you’d like, you can always customise it to improve its appearance and performance after the fact.

4. Plugin-ready

Your WordPress theme determines the look and layout. To improve functionality, plugins are your go-to. Plugins are small pieces of software that can be added to your theme without altering the theme itself. With their help, you can add contact forms to your site, run contests, facilitate e-commerce and so much more. Today, there are a staggering 55,000+ WordPress plugins.

Most WordPress themes will work with all plugins. But if yours is poorly coded or is trying to do the job of plugins itself, you may run into trouble and generate errors. As mentioned earlier, we recommend a solid, simple and reliable WordPress theme that you can add plugins to when necessary.

5. Search engine optimised

Your WordPress theme can affect your place in the SERPs. This is a high-stake scenario, given that your ranking basically determines how much traffic your website attracts. This is another reason to avoid a good-looking theme if it is badly coded. 

Of course, the untrained eye may not be able to determine whether the source code is running smoothly. Many people who create WordPress themes will label them SEO-friendly so more people will purchase them.

But if your theme is light and loads quickly, this is half the battle. Start small and use a WordPress SEO plugin like AIOSEO to further optimise your website and maintain the highest position possible. 

6. Good customer support

Even the most tech-savvy among us need a little help sometimes. When you find yourself stuck, it is an advantage to have a support team on hand rather than having to enlist the pricey services of a developer. 

Some themes are a package deal that includes customer service, so it is important to be aware of what you’re paying for. The majority of premium themes will offer support and updates for 6 - 12 months post-purchase, with the option of keeping them going for a fee. If you’re using a free theme, you can check the theme's WordPress.org listing page to see how active the support channel is. 

Conclusion

The main takeaway here is to choose a theme that won’t slow you down or lock you in. Start small and make little changes as you go. A strong foundation is of paramount importance, so choose a theme that will hold up before you worry about aesthetics.

Need more WordPress guidance?

Elephant in the Boardroom is one of Australia’s leading website design and development agencies. We are here to help you evolve every step of the way, no matter what platform your site is hosted on. Visit www.elephantintheboardroom.com.au today and let’s grow together.