WordPress provides thousands of themes that you can use to build your business website. The problem lies in selecting the best one for your needs. Let us discuss five must-have features that you should consider in choosing a WordPress starter theme for your business website!
What is a WordPress Starter Theme?
A WordPress theme is a collection of files, including graphics, style sheets, and code, responsible for the overall appearance of a website. Your theme influences what and how your site visitors see, read, view, or even hear while browsing your website. Therefore, you must choose a theme that reflects the branding of your business. Check out these WordPress theme tips to make your site stand out.
However, with the thousands of WordPress starter themes available for you to choose from and download, how do you pick the right one? Here are five must-have features that you should consider to choose the best WordPress starter theme for your business website.
5 Must-Have Features in a WordPress Starter Theme
ONE: Site Speed and Security
Let’s talk about site speed first. It would be best if you made sure that the WordPress starter theme you use for your website can load your pages as quickly as possible. The average user will leave a website if it does not load fully within two to three seconds. If your website takes longer to load, you risk losing your site visitors. So, find a theme that will provide you with speed to retain site visitors and ultimately turn them into customers or clients.
Along with site speed, you also need a WordPress starter theme to keep your website, including its data, secure. Cybercrime can happen to anyone, especially those with poorly protected websites or applications. So, choose a theme that performs regular updates to ensure that the code used ensures the site’s safety from vulnerabilities. Then, use these ten tips to have a secure WordPress website.
TWO: Ease-of-Use and Compatibility with Block Editor/Gutenberg
This is relatively easy to comprehend. First, you need to select a WordPress starter theme that is easy to use even if you are not a web developer. For example, one with a drag-and-drop interface would be great for beginners. It would also be great to find a starter theme that provides tutorials and documentation. These resources would be helpful for you to navigate the WordPress theme better. In this way, you can truly maximize the theme’s functionalities.
Moreover, with the continuous development of the WordPress platform, site owners can now use a more convenient way to build web pages and posts. Site owners can do this through a block-based approach using the WordPress block editor (also known as Gutenberg). Therefore, you must find a WordPress starter theme compatible with WordPress blocks.
THREE: Updates and Support
As mentioned above, your WordPress starter theme should perform regular updates to ensure that your website runs smoothly. So, if you are already considering a starter theme, try to check the frequency of version updates, including their version release notes. Also, see if they perform regular developments and updates. These updates are an indication that the developers behind the theme continue to improve its code and functionalities.
You also need a WordPress starter theme that provides technical support if something happens. For example, say you are eyeing a theme to use for your website. Consider what kind of support the theme offers. Know when and how you can access said support. Also, determine their promptness in responding to their clients that need technical assistance. You need to cover all of these bases if you need the theme’s developers’ support in the future.
FOUR: eCommerce-Ready
If you are running an online business, it would be best to integrate plugins to make your online transactions more streamlined. For instance, with the help of an eCommerce plugin, you can easily buy and sell products on your WordPress website. As such, you must choose a WordPress starter theme that allows you to integrate eCommerce plugins easily.
According to WPBeginner, the following are the five best WordPress eCommerce plugins for businesses in 2022: WooCommerce, Easy Digital Downloads, MemberPress BigCommerce, and Shopify. Your task is to find a starter theme that can work well with any of these plugins, and your online business is good to go!
FIVE: Cost and Design
Of course, we need to talk about the cost. You already know that WordPress provides thousands of free themes on its platform. However, after searching through their rosters, you will soon find out that not all of these themes offer all of the features needed for your business website. Luckily, the developers behind these free themes give you the option to upgrade to a premium version—of course, at a price. However, if you’re lucky enough to have found a theme that already provides what your website needs, then you no longer need to spend more on a premium version.
Lastly, you also need to consider the WordPress starter theme’s design. The design is integral in choosing a WordPress theme because it involves your site’s overall feel and look. Thus, if you have a well-designed and professional-looking business website, you increase the chance of a site visitor to continue browsing your site. So, pick a theme with a design that attracts your target audience and keeps them going through your web pages.
Choose the Best WordPress Starter Theme for Your Business
If you need more help selecting a WordPress starter theme for your business website, please don’t hesitate to message us here at WP Designer, a WordPress Development company in the Philippines. Our web designers and web developers can help you build responsive and even customized websites!
