Your theme shapes every page of your site, and changing it later is a small redesign. A few minutes of checking before you download saves hours later. These are the ten checks we use.
1. Is it a block theme?
For a new site, choose a block theme. You can change the header, footer and templates in the Site Editor without code or a page builder. A theme is a block theme if it has a templates/index.html file.
2. When was it last updated?
Look for an update in the last few months and a "Tested up to" version close to the current WordPress release. A theme that hasn't been touched for years may not keep up with new WordPress features or fixes.
3. Does it look right on a phone?
Open the demo on your phone, not just your desktop. Check the menu, the text size and any image galleries.
4. Is it fast?
Run the demo through a free speed test. Themes that bundle sliders, animation libraries and page builders tend to be heavy. See how to speed up WordPress.
5. Is the text easy to read?
Low-contrast grey text is a common problem. The WCAG accessibility guidelines ask for a contrast ratio of at least 4.5:1 for normal text and 3:1 for large text. Our theme builder checks your colours against this as you choose them.
6. Can you change colours and fonts without code?
In a block theme, look for a good colour palette and font choices in Appearance › Editor › Styles. Some themes also include "style variations": ready-made colour and font combinations.
7. Does it come from a trustworthy source?
Download themes from the WordPress theme directory, the developer's own site or a reputable shop. Never use "nulled" copies of paid themes: they are a well-known way to get malware onto a site.
8. What licence is it under?
WordPress is licensed under the GPL, and themes in the official directory must be too. Check the licence of any fonts and images the theme includes, especially if you're building a site for a client.
9. Is there support or documentation?
Free themes may only have a support forum; paid themes usually include a support period. Either way, a theme with clear documentation is easier to live with.
10. How easy is it to leave?
Themes that put your content into their own shortcodes or custom blocks can make switching painful later. Block themes that use WordPress's own blocks keep your content portable.
Prefer to make your own?
Our free theme builder makes a fast, accessible block theme in your own colours and fonts in about ten minutes, or you can start from one of our free themes. Then follow how to install a theme from a .zip.
