So you’ve got your domain and hosting, installed WordPress, and then bam! You land in the theme section and immediately get hit with choice overload. There are thousands of options, all looking shiny and beautiful.
If you’re anything like I was when I started, you probably clicked “preview” on about 147 of them… Then you panicked, closed your laptop and went to re-organize your pantry…
If you’re currently in the “how the heck do I choose the right WordPress theme” phase, I get it.
I remember spending hours clicking through previews, falling in love with a layout… only to find out it needed some plugin I didn’t understand.
So let’s make this a bit easier. Ready? Let’s dive in!
NOTE: All my WordPress tutorials focus on WordPress.org, not WordPress.com. If you’re curious about the differences, here’s everything you need to know ☺️
What Actually Matters in a WordPress Theme
It’s super tempting to choose a theme based on the demo layout. But I promise, that polished homepage full of styled stock photos isn’t the most important part.
What matters most is how the theme behaves once you start building. You need a theme that can grow with you.
Here’s what to look for:
★ Security
This one doesn’t get talked about enough. A WordPress theme that’s poorly coded, outdated, or no longer supported can leave your website vulnerable.
Hackers look for weak spots, and old themes are a common one.
Always choose themes that are regularly updated and have good reviews. Bonus points if they’re from a well-known developer.
★ Support & Updates
If something breaks (and with tech, something always breaks eventually), you’ll want help fast.
Free themes don’t always offer support, but most reputable ones at least have forums where you can find (some) answers.
Paid themes usually include a dedicated support team and faster help.
★ Flexibility
Look for a theme that lets you change fonts, colors, layouts, and page sections without needing a developer.
Whether you want to add a shop later or grow an email list, your theme should be able to grow with you.
Look for one that works well with popular plugins too.
★ Responsiveness
A responsive theme automatically adjusts to different screen sizes, so your blog looks great whether someone’s reading on a phone, tablet, or desktop.
This isn’t just a bonus, it’s a must.
If your site is hard to read on mobile, readers will bounce (and Google won’t be happy either).
★ Weight
By “weight,” I mean how much code and extra stuff is packed into the theme.
Heavier themes can slow down your site, especially if they come loaded with features you don’t need.
And slow sites = lost readers and lower rankings.
Look for a theme known for being lightweight and fast. Themes like Astra and GeneratePress are great examples.
What to Consider When Choosing a WordPress Theme
It’s easy to get swept up in how a theme looks, but before you click install, ask yourself a few simple questions to make sure it’s actually a good fit for you.
Questions to ask yourself when choosing a WP theme:
- Do I want to customize the layout easily without code?
- Am I planning to use a page builder like Elementor or Divi?
- Is this theme updated regularly and supported by its creator?
- Does it work well on mobile and with popular plugins?
- Is there a paid upgrade in case I outgrow the free version?
Having answers to these ahead of time will save you a lot of headaches later.
A few extra tips to help you decide:
- Don’t choose a theme just for the homepage screenshot. Browse the theme’s live demo and try resizing your browser window. Is it readable on phones?
- Check reviews (and complaints). A theme with only five-star ratings and zero comments? Red flag. Look for recent, honest feedback from real users. Some themes start off great and go downhill fast, especially if support disappears or updates stop.
- Ignore “demo content” envy. Your blog will look bland at first. Almost all themes use fancy demo pictures and fake posts. Focus on whether the structure fits your needs, not the professional demo look.
- Keep plugins in mind. Choose a theme that works well with popular plugins (like forms, SEO, email signups).
- Avoid themes that are rarely updated. If the last update was in 2020… walk away. Even the prettiest theme isn’t worth the risk.
One more bonus tip:
If you want to see what theme a site uses (for inspiration), you can use online tools like WP Theme Detector.
Just enter the URL and it tells you the theme.
Though it doesn’t work if the site uses Elementor, Divi, or other builders, because those change how a site loads visually.
Themes Made With Page Builders
There are several page builders that let you build or customize a theme.
Elementor
You might’ve found a beautiful theme that says it’s built for Elementor. What that means is: the design was made using the Elementor Theme Builder.
This tool lets you drag-and-drop your layout without touching code.
But here’s the important part: if a theme was built with Elementor, you’ll need to install the Elementor plugin first.
It doesn’t mean you have to pay for the Pro version, only that you’ll need to have it to run the theme (and do some basic modifications).
Note: I love Elementor for it’s flexibility. I also use Elementor Pro to build (and change) my websites exactly the way I want them, but that’s a more advanced step 😉
Divi
Another popular builder is Divi. This one is a bit more expensive.
It’s both a theme and a page builder. You buy it as a bundle from Elegant Themes, and it only works within that ecosystem. When you install the Divi theme, you get access to the Divi Builder, which lets you customize your pages visually.
Heads up: if you build everything inside a builder and later switch away, your pages may break or lose formatting. So think about your future plans before going all in with one tool.
Free vs. Paid: When Is It Worth Paying for a Theme?
When you’re just starting your blog, the last thing you want is another expense. I totally get it.
It can feel like everything costs money, and a free theme seems like the smart way to go.
And honestly? It can be! There are some great free themes out there, especially if you pick one that’s actively maintained 😊
But if you’re serious about growing your blog, a premium theme can save you tons of time and tech headaches down the line. It’s not just about fancier design. It’s about what’s happening under the hood.
Here’s what you usually get with a paid upgrade:
- More control over your design – Tweak layouts, colors, and fonts without needing ten extra plugins.
- Built-in templates – Many come with pre-made pages (like About, Contact, or Sales Pages) to help you launch faster.
- Better speed and SEO – Paid themes are often better optimized for performance and search engines.
- Priority support – So you’re not stuck waiting days for answers in a forum.
- More frequent updates – Premium themes are usually updated more often to stay compatible with WordPress core changes.
- Stronger security – Clean, updated code means fewer vulnerabilities and a safer site.
Think of it as buying tools for your business. The free version is like a basic screwdriver. The paid version is the full toolkit 🤷♀️
Best WordPress Themes: AI Search Prompt
While I could just list a few of my go-to favorites (like Astra or Blossom Feminine), I want this post to be truly helpful. Not just today, but in the future too.
So instead, I’m sharing a prompt you can copy into Perplexity or ChatGPT to get the most up-to-date, tailored suggestions anytime you need them 😊
Copy this prompt, paste it into ChatGPT and change or add any details you need. Choose the Research function and then answer a few questions.
Alternatively, use Perplexity, choose DEEP SEARCH and let it run.
Prompt:
Create a curated list of 10 best WordPress.org themes in (insert current year) that match these filters:
Budget Type (Choose one)
– Free
– Free with Pro Upgrade Option
– Paid
Niche/Industry:
(Insert one or more: e.g., blogging, personal brand, photography, coaching, food blog, ecommerce)
Design Style:
(Choose one or more: minimalist, bold & modern, feminine, elegant, colorful, dark mode, etc.)
Requirements:
– Beginner-friendly (no code required)
– Lightweight & SEO-optimized
– Mobile responsive
– Updated in the last 12 months
Write your answer as a list of 10 themes. Add these details to each theme:
Theme Name:
One-paragraph description:
Link to the download or demo page:
Ask me any clarifying questions you need to accomplish this task.
You can also use both Chat GPT and Perplexity and compare the results.
Quick Tips Before You Commit
- Preview the live demo AND test it on your phone
- Read the reviews (especially the 3-star ones, they’re usually honest!)
- Don’t fall for fancy demo content, it’s all fake until you build your own
- Make sure your theme plays nicely with common plugins (like forms, SEO, email signups)
- Check when it was last updated (anything untouched for 12+ months is a no-go)
Can You Change Your Theme Later?
Most of the time, you can change your theme with a few clicks.
But here’s the catch:
- Your layout may not transfer over (especially if you used a page builder)
- Widgets, menus, and shortcodes might break or disappear
- Sometimes you’ll have to redo your menus, header, and homepage.
I once made the switch without realizing how much manual work it would take. Not fun 😫
So while yes, you absolutely can change themes, it’s a bit easier to start with one that fits your vision now and gives you room to grow.
NOTE: If you ever want to make any major changes to your webpage, create a full backup first! Use a backup plugin which will let you restore your page in a few clicks in case anything goes wrong (I love Updraft Plus).
Starting your blog is brave. You don’t have to get every detail perfect on the first try.
If you’re choosing a WordPress theme and feeling decision fatigue, remember that your content matters more than your layout.
The perfect theme is just a foundation. You can always tweak, upgrade, or ask for help as you go 😊
P.S. One thing most new website owners don’t realize is that even brand-new sites get targeted by bots and hackers – right from day one.
You wouldn’t leave your front door unlocked, right? Your website deserves the same care.
I put together a free WordPress Security Checklist to help you protect your blog without feeling overwhelmed. Grab it below and secure your digital home before trouble starts.
