With over 1.7 billion websites out there, your business website must overcome lots of digital noise. That means you need a functional, beautiful website right out of the gate.
Unless you moonlight as a web developer, you’ll need a third-party solution like WordPress to get a functional site. The beautiful part depends on the theme you choose for your WordPress site.
That probably prompts some concerns over how to choose a WordPress theme. We’ve got you covered.
Keep reading and we’ll tell you what things to look for in a theme.
Simplicity in Design
Ever walk into someone’s house and get overwhelmed by the sheer volume of belongings? A cluttered physical space undermines focus and concentration.
The same thing applies to visual spaces. A theme with lots of visual noise acts like a constant distraction for visitors. They don’t know where they should direct their eyes.
Look for a theme that minimizes visual noise and directs attention at the most important page elements.
Is It Responsive?
Of all web traffic, more than half goes through mobile devices. That means you must select themes that automatically display well on mobile screens.
In other words, you need responsive themes.
Responsive design is an approach to web programming that lets websites adapt their content to different screen sizes. For example, a responsive WordPress theme will automatically transition from two or three columns to one.
The site looks good on phones and doesn’t cost you visitors or sales.
Does It Simplify Social Sharing?
Social media links play a huge role in driving traffic to your on-site products and out to your social media profiles. You need a theme that makes this process as simple as possible.
At the very least, the theme shouldn’t interfere with the native social media tools WordPress includes.
Plugins
Plugins expand the available functions of the core WordPress programming. For example, e-commerce plugins let you sell products directly from your website. Unfortunately, not every theme supports every plugin.
Let’s say you use Divi plugins for popovers that capture email addresses for leads. Even if it worked fine with your old theme, you must still make sure the new theme supports it. You might find yourself scrambling for a new lead-capture solution if you don’t.
Is It Consistent with Your Industry?
Every website reflects the brand attitude of the business a little. Yet, if you look at a lot of websites in an industry, you’ll see common elements, such as:
- Color schemes
- Layout
- Font Choice
Visit some of the bigger websites in your industry and look for those common elements. Then, use them. They help visitors subconsciously identify your website as the right kind of site.
Parting Thoughts on How to Choose a WordPress Theme
Answering the question of how to choose a WordPress theme involves style and practical considerations.
A good theme limits visual distractions and stays consistent with industry norms. It must also display well on any screen size, simplify social sharing, and support your chosen plugins.
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