Choosing a WordPress theme is all the time a difficult process.
That is very true when there are such a lot of free WordPress themes and premium WordPress themes obtainable available on the market.
How are you aware which one to decide on?
Moreover, must you select a free WordPress theme, or purchase a premium theme?
We frequently discuss WordPress themes on SML, in all probability as a result of that is the first want of any blogger who desires to start out a WordPress weblog.
Most new WordPress bloggers use free themes, not totally understanding why they need to pay for a premium WordPress theme.
Once I began with WordPress, I used to be utilizing the Arthemia free theme for the primary six months. Solely later did I quiet down with the premium Genesis WordPress theme.
Once I began with WordPress, I assumed:
- Why pay cash after I can get one thing free of charge?
Like most individuals, I discovered a fairly good free WordPress theme.
Afterward, I spotted my mistake…
Now, I personally consider that free themes are wonderful solely as a result of they’re free.
Why Premium WordPress Themes Are Higher Than Free WordPress Themes
To start with, let me say that free themes will not be unhealthy.
You could find many good free themes within the WordPress theme listing.
However the majority of issues include updates. Most theme builders launch a base model on free theme directories and later use this to make a sale of the “professional” model.
I might suggest that as a substitute of losing your time on technical know-how and making an attempt to repair issues when WP updates screw up your theme, it’s higher to go for a premium theme and concentrate on making high quality content material.
Listed below are some causes that can make you wish to ditch your free theme and purchase a premium theme.
1. Assist and updates
WordPress is consistently updating its expertise and each few months, there’s a main replace in WordPress.
- Your themes (and plugins) should be appropriate with the most recent model of WordPress.
If you end up utilizing paid themes, it’s the accountability of the framework firm to launch an up to date and appropriate model of the theme.
Nonetheless, free theme creators use their theme as a facet challenge, and also you might have to attend for months earlier than you see an replace.
Moreover, all premium theme authors provide free help, whereas in free themes, you may’t count on any type of help.
Additionally, you probably have a premium theme framework like Genesis, you’ll discover tons of tutorials on the net.
This doesn’t occur typically with free WP themes.
2. web optimization
WordPress themes play a serious function within the general web optimization of your web site.
In free themes, you’ll discover many structural bugs and furthermore, hardly any of them provide any inbuilt web optimization choices.
Particularly, it’s essential to have a web site which isn’t solely web optimization optimized but in addition provides clear code for quicker loading.
Themes like Genesis provide lightning quick loading, however, in fact, they aren’t free.
When it comes to quicker loading, utilizing a premium theme additionally helps you in decreasing down the quantity of resource-hogging plugins.
3. Options
Premium theme improvement is a aggressive market. As a way to survive, theme builders want to supply the newest options and seamless internet integration.
Free themes have a restricted variety of options. Most builders will not be prepared to replace their free themes with something too fancy.
If you wish to see a specific function in a free theme, you’ll both must discover a plugin, or discover a completely different theme.
4. Encrypted hyperlinks
That is the one factor I hate probably the most about free WordPress themes.
Most free theme builders encrypt the footer and promote these hyperlinks.
This has a very unhealthy impression on the general web optimization of your weblog. If you wish to create a personalized footer, this isn’t doable. (FYI: A pleasant footer has an ideal web optimization benefit in the event you use it properly.)
For the reason that Google Penguin replace, such encrypted hyperlinks are seen as spammy hyperlinks. (Legit websites like WPMU had been penalized due this motive.)
Whereas outbound hyperlinks have some web optimization benefit, such sorts of linking ought to be prevented in any respect prices.
Free Themes vs. Premium Themes
For those who don’t have $50 to spend on a top quality premium theme, getting a free theme is certainly the way in which to go.
However as soon as your weblog begins getting momentum, I might extremely advise you to swap over to a great paid theme.
