One of the most prominent tips that you’re going to get hit with all the time in regards to blogging is that of getting a hosting account and then setting up a WordPress installation. Once you’ve done that, the next logical step is to work with a solid WordPress theme. This is essentially the “skin” for your site and it can make or break your visual design flow. Some people will tell you to go with something simple, others will tell you to go complex, and at the end of the day, you may not find the right fit for you. It’s for that reason that you should step back, and take a moment to look at the different things that make a good WordPress theme worth installing. There are several aspects to consider here, so don’t rush through all the available skins and select any random item.
The Premium Issue
There are some people that will tell you the best WordPress theme is the one that you have to pay for. This only makes sense if you absolutely want something unique, and that is professionally designed and supported. There are a lot of companies out there right now that will help you create and install their premium version, and even give you tech support if anything goes wrong. These are usually sold by web developers and designers that work closely with the software. If you find a very good premium WordPress theme, and you see that the list of functions are incredible, and it’s a good fit for you, then by all means go for it. However, not all “paid” versions of these options are supported after the fact. You may run into software complications, hosting issues, and even code problems. Always double check with the terms of service, and what you’re buying when you go with a premium WordPress theme.
The Free Problems
There are a lot of options that you will find in the free marketplace. It’s a good thing to search for WordPress theme options that are free and can help you build on the right solutions. However, you will want to make sure that you work within the world of marketing collateral that is going to help you best, and that means free options can work. Look for high quality solutions that have been updated recently. A lot of the “best” WordPress theme sites haven’t updated in a long time and still rank high within SEO channels. It’s for that reason that you should be wary of any free solutions out there. Take enough time to explore when the theme was updated, and how many people have downloaded the solution. The more investigation you pull here, the higher the chances are that you will get a good solution moving forward.
Custom Options
The next round of solutions that you’re going to want to look into are customized WordPress themes. These are going to cost you a great deal of money, but they could work well within the scope of what you need them for. Ask around and see if you find a good web designer that is going to help you build out the right custom solution overall. You may have to spend a few hundred dollars to get one that is as close to your website as possible, and while that may sound like a lot, it’s worth it when you consider the market share you can get. Customized WordPress theme solutions aren’t always the best fit for business sites, but they can pack a powerful punch indeed.
Sidebars, Widgets, and Updates
The last concern you need to consider when exploring the world of WordPress theme options is in regards to functionality. Look at the sidebars, widgets, and any updates that you need to keep in mind moving forward. These elements are going to be a good thing to cycle through because they can become hard to work on after you’ve installed any given theme. Some people will denote that if the widgets aren’t enabled, you will not get any help with the design overflow after the fact. Sidebars may not be what you want in place, but you want them to be an option. Lastly, you want to ensure that your themes are updated. If you find a good WordPress theme for your site and see that it hasn’t been updated in a few years, it may not be functional with the latest options that you have in place. Look for updated versions of any WordPress theme that you want to utilize, or else you could be stuck in the past without the functionality that you want to have in place.
