A WordPress theme is a collection of files (PHP, JS, CSS, JSON, POT along with font and graphics files) that determine the general layout/appearance of a WordPress website. This includes the color scheme, typography as well as other design elements.
What is WordPress?
WordPress is a free, open-source, web publishing and content management system (CMS) software application. WordPress is also described by some, as a web publishing “platform”.
When you install the “WordPress” on your hosting server, it will install and activate a free default “theme”, named as the year it which it has been installed (i.e. Twenty Twenty-Three if the WordPress installation is done in the year 2023).
Free WordPress Themes
Free WordPress themes are WordPress themes that free to use. Free WordPress themes are generally used by those with very limited budgets and are willing spend the time to try and put together their website themselves.
That said, we have found that most business owners do not want the headache and do not have the time or desire to mess around for hours on end, with something so unfamiliar to them…putting together their own WordPress website.
Still, some may be tempted to try one of the many free WordPress themes available, believing that the money saved would be well worth it. However, what those people usually do not realize it that there are some major drawbacks when using free WP themes, compared to custom WP themes (those that you pay a web designer/developer to custom build for your unique business).
Drawbacks of using a free WordPress Theme
Lack of Support
For the vast majority free WordPress themes, support is not an option. To begin with, free themes do not usually offer any documentation or online tutorials. Worse yet, free themes do not offer direct (ticketed) support. Thus, if you encounter any issues with the installation, or need help with any issues, you’re pretty much on your own. If your theme becomes outdated in that the code conflicts with future versions of WordPress or PHP from your web hosting server, you may be out of luck.
Lack of Features
Free WordPress themes typically lack many features and customization that you get with a custom developed theme. This may be in part why free WP themes often tend to share a generic, minimalist design that lack the sleek, feature rich appearance of a custom theme.
Coding Issues
Some free themes can also be badly coded, which may leave your website vulnerable to malware attacks, slower performance and exhibit poor UX design.
Malware
Some free themes can contain malicious code and/or encrypted links to questionable websites. Obviously, this is not a good thing and better not to expose your business customers to this potential risk.
Custom WordPress Theme Development
Custom WordPress theme development is the process of creating a unique, WordPress theme/website that is “custom” built to the unique requirements of each client’s business.
At Prominent Web Design, we understand that most entrepreneurs prefer to focus on running and growing their business, not trying to learn how to code and customize a WordPress theme. The investment in a custom developed, WordPress theme is well worth the investment best left to a professional web design and development company which specializes in WordPress theme development as well as WordPress plugin development.
Why Pay for Custom WordPress Theme Development?
A custom built WordPress theme can best represent all of the distinct services and products your brand offers. By the way, you should not need to worry whether you will lose Google ranking after a website redesign. When you hire our Scottsdale web design company, your custom WordPress theme should be feature rich, have an efficient use of code (to avoid code bloat) and free of malware. Perhaps best of all, you will have available to you, phone and email support.
The team at Prominent Web Design, will help you select and set up the appropriate hosting plan at a hosting provider of your choice. We will also provide you with support to either manage your WordPress website or show you how to manage it yourself, once your website is launched. By the way, you can find out what types of business websites we design and build here.
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