What is a WordPress theme?

This blog is created with WordPress, one of the largest web platforms on the planet. What gives it a certain style and functionality is what’s called a theme.

What is a WordPress theme?

Simply stated, a theme dictates the design and functionality of your website without changing the basic WordPress software.

A WordPress theme is like superhero clothing. Your WordPress pages, posts, permalinks, categories, menus, and other basic structural elements are the arms, torso. and legs of your superhero. The theme is the cape, lariat, boots, and gloves.

How should you choose a theme?

Before choosing a theme, ask yourself a few questions about the goals of your website or blog:

• Are you using WordPress for only blogging or an entire website? The more complicated your site design and functionality, the more robust and flexible you’ll need the theme to be.
• How does the theme reflect your brand or personality?
• Can the theme enable your site to change and grow towards your goals?

You also want to be asking a few questions related to the theme itself:

• What kind of support does the theme developer offer? This is one of the main differences between free and premium WordPress themes.
• Does the theme have a developer community that shares creative ways of using the theme?
• Who else is using the theme? How are they using it? What industries do they represent?

Tips for New Sites

• Colors can be changed, so don’t focus on that. Instead, focus on the overall layout–where elements are placed on each Page, and how the various typefaces work together.
• If you’re not sure if blogging is for you, start with a serviceable free theme. Focus on writing posts instead of getting bogged down with theme choices.
• Finally, read Lorelle’s post called “Choosing a WordPress theme”

What can you add?