Which WordPress theme to choose for your site? Guide

According to the data Built With Some 30 million websites are currently hosted by WordPress. This figure is impressive, but also not surprising. The most popular CMS (content management system) is intuitive, easy to use and allows you to design an aesthetically pleasing website. You are wondering which theme WordPress choose to make your website run fast, look modern and convert well? In this guide you'll find a comparison, tips and a list of the best WordPress themes - both free and paid. See what to consider when choosing a WordPress theme to avoid mistakes and create the perfect site for your brand.

Themes versus WordPress templates - what's the difference?

Before continuing with this article, a basic question needs to be answered. What exactly are WordPress themes (WordPress themes)? It is a set of files that are responsible for the overall design of the website on WordPress. The theme therefore determines, among other things, the appearance of the headers, background or layout (arrangement of elements). It helps the website to stand out from others and to reflect the character of the brand (in the case of a company website). Motif However, it is more than just a 'skin'. It not only provides control over the visual presentation of content on a WordPress site, but also over the behaviour of certain site elements when visitors interact with them. 

WordPress template, or in English template, is a narrower concept. It determines the appearance of a particular sub-page or element (e.g. a blog post).

Paid or free WordPress themes - which to bet on?

One of the first decisions to make when choosing is whether we want a free or paid theme. This is then a basic question about the budget we can allocate to the site. Both options have their pros and cons.

While premium themes offer more features, layouts and settings, a selection of free WordPress themes allows you to experiment with different designs without spending any budget. As free themes tend to have fewer features and widgets, they are also easier to use, even for beginners.

And what are the benefits of a paid WordPress theme? Apart from the fact that the solution will be polished in every way, it is worth noting that, in most cases when you buy a theme, you get the developer's support included in the price. If any problems arise while working on the site or while using it, we know we can count on help. Also, the fact that the site will be unique leads many people to just choose a paid WordPress theme.

Choosing a theme - these are the aspects you need to pay attention to!

Functionality of the theme

When choosing a WordPress website theme, the first thing to look out for is the features that will make it easier to use. Among other things, you should check language versions of the theme - Is a Polish-language version available? Of course, you can choose a theme that does not have one, but translating the phrases used in the theme is another effort and, if you outsource this, an expense.

Another thing to look out for is whether the theme has a built-in page builder. It is a mechanism that allows you to create a page without design or programming skills (on a drag-and-drop basis). Although page builders are not without their advantages (they have a wide range of functions and are simple to use), on the other hand, their use can cause problems. Above all, additional plug-ins can slow down the loading of the page, and the potential risk of security vulnerabilities and becoming an easy target for hackers is also increased. Therefore, if you are keen to have the fastest website in your industry and can use the services of a webdeveloper, a theme with a page builder should not be your first choice.

When it comes to functionality, remember one thing - more features do not always work in favour of a website.

Technical aspects

In terms of technical aspects, pay particular attention to the responsiveness of the theme and its performance. Nowadays, a website adapted to any screen resolution is a must! Check out how the theme performs in this respect using the test tool from Google. And how do you assess the performance of a theme? This is where PageSpeed Insights. 

Appearance

Let's not kid ourselves that looks don't matter - at least when it comes to choosing a theme. First of all, remember to match the theme to the content you will be publishing. And don't make the mistake of judging a theme by the resources its author has put into it. You may find that by uploading your own material, the look of the site will completely lose its original "charm". 

What else to look out for? An important role is played by typography, i.e. the fonts used in the motif. Make sure that the default settings will not tire the reader's eyes. Reject in advance themes with original (and therefore problematic) fonts and those that assume text lines of more than 80 characters. 

Where to find WordPress themes? Popular places on the web

You already know the difference between free and paid themes. You have also learnt about the aspects to look at when choosing one. Now it's time to get to know reliable sourceswhere you can choose from a wide range of free and premium themes. 

Theme Forest - shop with thousands of motifs from creatives all over the world.

My Theme Shop - page with 135 themes, some of which are free.

Best of Themes - an aggregator of themes from various sources, ideal if you don't have time to 'dig through' many different sources and like the convenience.

You are probably wondering about another issue and asking yourself: what are the prices of premium themes? Usually the amount is up to a few tens of dollars, rarely are solutions costing more than $100. It must be admitted that a few hundred zloty for a unique and functional website seems an affordable (or even low) price. 

Best WordPress themes [TOP list].

Choosing the right WordPress theme doesn't have to be difficult - especially if you have tried-and-tested suggestions at hand. Below you'll find a list of themes that have won praise from users and experts for their speed, lightness and functionality. These are the best WordPress themes in various categories to consider when creating your site.

TOP 5: Best WordPress themes (general purpose)

• Astra - Lightweight theme, very fast, compatible with most builders (e.g. Elementor). A great choice for corporate websites and blogs.
• GeneratePress - fast WordPress theme, optimised for SEOideal for those who appreciate efficiency and minimalism.
• OceanWP - A versatile theme with a huge number of settings. Suitable for WooCommerce shops, blogs and portfolios.
• Blocks - A modern, responsive WordPress theme, fully compatible with the block editor.
• Neve - A lightweight theme, ready to work with AMP (Accelerated Mobile Pages), a great choice for mobile sites.

TOP 3: Fast and light WordPress theme (for performance fans)

• Hello Elementor - the lightest WordPress theme possible, created specifically with Elementor users in mind.
• Kadence - A very fast, option-rich theme, ready to use immediately after installation.
• Page Builder Framework - A minimalist and lightweight WordPress theme that gives you a lot of control over the look without any performance drops.

TOP 3: WordPress themes for companies

• Sydney - stylish business theme with ready-made section templates and CTAs.
• Zakra - A fast, responsive WordPress theme with many predefined demos.
• Hestia - One-page WordPress theme, great for startups and freelancers.

The most common mistakes when choosing a WordPress theme

The WordPress system allows users to create customised sites without coding, and has thus revolutionised design and changed the way we consume content online. You, too, can take advantage of its possibilities by preparing a site that will keep visitors for longer with its design and usability.

Guided only by appearance

This is a common mistake for beginners. A theme may look impressive on a demo but be heavy, slow or difficult to customise.

Choosing a theme that is too heavy

Themes 'brimming' with features can be tempting, but are often slower. If you're concerned about page loading speed, choose a lightweight WordPress theme - such as Astra or GeneratePress.

Ignoring performance

Before you install a WordPress theme, check its performance in the PageSpeed Insights tool. A fast WordPress theme is not only a matter of user experience, but also of positioning in Google.

Lack of support and updates

Even the prettiest theme without regular updates is a ticking bomb. Only choose WordPress themes that are actively developed and supported.

The undisputed king of the internet - WordPress

The WordPress system allows users to create customised sites without coding, and has thus revolutionised design and changed the way we consume content online. You, too, can take advantage of its possibilities by preparing a site that will keep visitors for longer with its design and usability.

FAQ - frequently asked questions about WordPress themes

Which WordPress theme to choose for your blog?

For a blog, light and fast themes that present textual content well are best. I recommend GeneratePress, Astra or Kadence.

What is the best WordPress theme for an online shop?

If you're setting up a shop on WooCommerce, check out themes like Astra, OceanWP or Neve - they all have ready-made integrations with the shopping cart, payments and product pages.

Does a fast WordPress theme really affect SEO?

Yes, website performance is one of Google's ranking factors. A responsive WordPress theme can improve your site's visibility in search results.

Is a free WordPress theme a good choice?

Yes - especially for a start-up. Free themes like Astra and Neve have very good basic versions. However, it's worth considering the premium version if you need extra features and support.

What is the difference between a theme and a WordPress template?

A WordPress theme is the entire set of files responsible for the appearance and functionality of a website. A template refers to individual pages, such as the layout of a blog post.

What does it mean for a WordPress theme to be responsive?

A responsive WordPress theme automatically adapts to different screen resolutions - from desktops to tablets to smartphones. This ensures that your site looks good and works correctly regardless of the device it is viewed on. Today, most modern WordPress themes (e.g. Astra, Blocks, Neve) are fully responsive, which is important for both users and SEO.