As you begin learning how to use WordPress, you’ll find that there are both free and premium themes available to help you customize your WordPress websites. You will eventually ask yourself if there really is that much of a difference between the two options. While the free themes are nice and workable, there is still a little truth behind the saying “nothing good in life is free.”
The Background
First, you may find some unwanted, embedded codes lurking in the background of the free themes you choose for your WordPress websites. Sometimes this embedded code has the ability to attach spam to your sites’ visitors or existing customers.
While it may be possible to remove the troublesome coding, some themes make it impossible without crashing the entire site. This is the last thing you want to deal with when first learning how to use WordPress.
The up side is that premium themes are generally spam-free. Yes, you have to pay for these themes, but it may be worth it to avoid all of the time and frustration you’ll spend on a free theme full of hidden spam.
Theme Support
Generally speaking, most free themes offered on WordPress don’t come with support. So, if you have questions or the theme isn’t working properly, you’re most likely going to be on your own in fixing it. Now, WordPress has tried to help remedy this problem by creating web forums and other online resources, but you there’s no guarantee you’ll find the help you need.
In contrast, the designers of premium themes are making money off of these themes. Therefore, they are interested in helping users work their way through any questions and/or problems they’re experiencing with their themes. Some designers are available through email and others have dedicated web forums, making contacting them easy.
Sometimes, specific themes need to be modified in order to make them work. If it is a premium theme, most designers will work with you and be willing to make the necessary changes so that you can use the theme. In addition, if the problem is one that everyone will experience, the designers will often contact everyone who has purchased the theme to notify them of the upgrade. This is not going to happen with a free theme.
What Should You Do?
Free themes are tempting to use because they are free. And, just because some free themes do have hidden spam codes lurking within them, this doesn’t mean they all do. In fact, there are many free themes that work just fine.
Additionally, many new business owners and/or bloggers, don’t have the time available to sift through all the premium themes out there and need to get their sites up and running as fast as possible. This makes choosing a free theme the best option for them.
However, you should do your research before deciding to upload a free theme. If you currently have a free theme, then once your business gets going and your profits begin to increase, consider upgrading to a premium theme. You will notice a difference. One of my absolute favorite producers of premium themes are the guys over at iThemes because they are totally dedicated to the WordPress community and it shows. I use the Builder theme on my main website at www.MarketersMojo.com. For this site you’re reading I used Optimizepress and I really like that one.
One other piece of advice about using premium themes is to find one you like and learn it well. Then use it where ever you can. If you switch from theme to theme to theme you will spend more time than you need to learning how to use new themes and not enough time marketing your business!
There’s no quick fix for finding the absolute best theme for you my coaching program can guide you in the right direction.
Tags: how to use wordpress, wordpress course, wordpress training, wordpress websites
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