You’re halfway where you want to be. Today, I will explain the next step towards having a working blog. It would be best to have an operational domain name, choose an adequate hosting provider, and have WordPress installed. What’s the next step? You now should choose a WordPress theme. How do you go about it? First, you’ll learn some basic terminology. Then, you’ll get a brief how-to, and after that, you will get a few pointers that will save you from making mistakes and will save you valuable time down the road.

Difference between theme and template in WordPress

A theme encompasses the design of your entire site. What if you want a page to look different than all the others? Then you use a template. This difference is essential. You’ll find that a considerable number of people use the terms interchangeably. Using the correct words will make you more effective in using web searches. You’ll be able to explain yourself more clearly in a professional manner. Maybe down the road, you’ll talk with designers and developers.

If you know what you’re talking about, you can specify your project’s scope and get the best value for your money. In addition, clear communication is helpful for the project stakeholders, including yourself.

Do you have to pick a theme on WordPress?

Each system works differently. Some setups require you to follow certain conventions or steps to achieve a particular purpose. Following ways is no different in WordPress. Technically, you don’t have to pick a theme after you’ve installed it. The system chooses it for you at first. However, if you want to change how your website looks, you must pick a theme on WordPress. Selecting a design for your website is the most common scenario. You’ll be pleasantly surprised to know that many of the top talents in web design fieldwork like to work and create WordPress themes, which is also a synonym for design.

Are WordPress themes free?

The price of themes is a common question. When you’re just starting and throughout your project, costs take a central role. The answer is that some of them are free, and for those considered Pro, you must pay for them. The good news is that you have a wildly set of options. If you’re a hobbyist, maybe a free theme is what you need, at least at first. On the other hand, if you want to receive economic benefits from your endeavors, now or in the future, then a Pro theme is preferred. Therefore, I recommend you buy a Pro theme.

But don’t worry. You can begin by purchasing a $15 theme. I’ll talk a bit more about this in the next section.

How to choose a good WordPress theme

I’ll explain to you not only how to choose a good WordPress theme but how to choose a good blog WordPress theme. First, a blog has different requirements than a regular website. In this case, the blog section itself takes protagonism. Having particular needs means that a blog-focused theme is ideal. You can search on a site like ThemeForest (Not affiliated) for “Blog” in the WordPress category.

You’ll probably need to create landing pages. However, these pages can become expensive if you hire a freelancer or company to make them for you. The solution is to choose a theme that includes a Page Builder. This way, you can create landing pages, paying exactly $0 extra.

How do I install a WordPress theme?

You may find that installing a WordPress theme is easy compared to other platforms.

If you want to install a free theme:

  1. On your WordPress dashboard, go to Appearance > Themes
  2. Add new
  3. Choose Free Theme
  4. Click Activate
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If you want to install a Pro theme:

  1. Download the theme, usually in the form of a compressed Zip file
  2. On your WordPress dashboard, go to Appearance > Themes
  3. Click Add New
  4. Click Upload Theme and choose your file
  5. Click Install Now

That’s it. You now have a new design, which gives you a visual identity on the internet.

How do I install a WordPress plugin?

Installing a WordPress plugin allows you to add functionality to your site. You’ll find plugins for almost every need you may have. For example, you can easily add Google Analytics or other tracking services, install a page builder to create beautiful designs and landing pages, and speed up your website. You’ll find a plugin (or many) for every need you may encounter.

The process is straightforward.

  1. On the WordPress dashboard, choose Plugins > Add New
  2. On the search bar, type the plugin you wish to see or a category
  3. Click Learn More or Install

As you can see, the process is straightforward. After a while, installing plugins will become second nature. Be careful not to go on an install spree since too many plugins can slow down your website. Always choose them with care.

What is the right amount of code on a WordPress theme?

When you choose a theme, you expect one of these designs caters to a wide array of needs. This inclusion means that there will always be extra pieces of code you don’t need. Additional code may create bloat and make your site too slow, which isn’t suitable for search engine optimization (SEO) and user experience (UX)

The solution can be to use a simple WordPress theme. Although you can create a theme skeleton yourself, using a website design that includes support and updates is better. I have personally used the Astra theme (not affiliated) in conjunction with Elementor Pro to create attractive and modern websites.

You may search specifically for a Pro blog theme if you’re creating a blog. This way, you will use most of its features, which will be a simple enough solution.

What is the most popular WordPress theme?

If you need or plan to create sites often, you will find that you can tweak the same template repeatedly, and the results will look different every time.

This productivity comes from knowing a theme inside out. One of the most popular WordPress themes is, no doubt, Divi Theme (not affiliated). Another option is the Avada theme.

You can create a wide variety of websites using these tools. Remember what I told you in the last section? A viable option I have used extensively is a simple template coupled with a powerful Page Builder. A no-code solution is a modern and straightforward option for creating a website or blog.

Conclusion

You now know essential terminology, some critical information about WordPress themes, what you can expect to pay, some important how-to, plugin installation information, and the answer to other popular WordPress theme questions. Design is important. Remember that besides attractive graphics, one of the most critical elements is that your visuals are on-brand. Following guidelines for the brand means that you are searching for unity and expressing what you’re promising through your blog design.

Unity involves the colors you choose, your logo, if you have one, the fonts you use, and their size. The goal is to be associated and remembered through the combinations of these items.

Choose a WordPress theme your audience will enjoy, and you will be well on your way to success.