WordPress themes are a collection of files, stylesheets, images and possibly, JavaScript that is stored in one folder. All of these files are compressed into a folder and acts as a contributing factor to the functionality and appearance of your website. It is a tool that can change various elements that’s on your website such as fonts, typography, graphics, button styles and the layout in general. When you opt for a WordPress package, the theme is a typical general, default theme provided by the platform itself. If you’re not satisfied with the theme provided to you, you’re more than welcome to select any from the various sorts to suit the industry you’re in. The range caters to any website whether it be a blog, online store, your small business or anything that you’re comfortable with. Choosing the right theme can communicate the message, feeling or your brand in general to the public. It is best to take your time with each and every theme that caught your eye and to assess whether it would be the right fit for you, your audience and your idea.
WordPress themes vs. WordPress templates
A WordPress theme contributes to the overall design of your website whereas the WordPress template contributes to a particular element of the website such as an individual page. Themes are the foundation for the front-end aspect of your website and caters to various components such as the colour palette, backgrounds, headers, footers and positioning. These two terms are often mistaken and interchangeable. Themes are available to download in a number of places. It can be found in the WordPress directory or from various WordPress theme marketplaces. You can design your own WordPress theme and allow individuals to make use of them due to WordPress being open-sourced.
WordPress templates are very much different to WordPress themes due to the fact that the templates are only meant to change the layout of a single page. To clarify a bit further, a website can only have one theme. At the same time, it can have different templates taking into consideration that a website contains different pages. For example, if you’re looking to change the body and adding a different footer, a template allows for this action to take place due to the focus being on a certain element that’s on a web page.
The pro’s of using a WordPress website
Flexibility & adaptability
WordPress has taken a chunk out of the industry by branching out and allowing various other industries to take part in what they have to offer. Generally, in the beginning WordPress was ideally for individuals that were looking into website blogs. Currently, WordPress has taken on bold strides to take their venture into e-commerce, small business and assisting at corporate level.
User-friendly for beginners
With its ease of installation and functionality, almost each and every user can figure out how to maneuver around the multi-functional platform. Whether you don’t have experience in coding or if you’re the top gun, there’s something for each and everyone. For those who don’t have much experience in coding, one can easily drag and drop elements during the design process. The platform allows one to add their own piece of coding to the mix if they’re not satisfied with any of the themes or templates provided to them.
WordPress themes are mobile responsive:
When one considers User Experience and SEO ranking, WordPress has got you covered. With the digital landscape constantly increasing, it’s of utmost importance that one looks after their website with the regards to the back-end and front-end aspects. WordPress offers various mobile-friendly themes.
The cons of using a WordPress website:
Constant updates
Update installations are important and falls part of maintaining your website. If you have not taken the necessary procedures in creating a staging site, it can be a nuisance. It can affect your uptime in the long run.
Speed
There are certain themes that contain generic code that can slow down your site and affect the uptime of it due to maintenance. Poorly coded plugins can also be a contributor to slow website speeds.
Vulnerable to hackers
With WordPress gaining popularity over the years, it has become a hotspot for hackers and spammers. If your page has a comment section on the blog page, spammers often fill comments with ‘spam-me’ content.
If you think WordPress should be the direction for you and your website, find out more on our WordPress web hosting packages. Our support team are always around to assist via the live chat (see image below).
