If you’re new to WordPress, you’re probably searching for the perfect theme to make your website stand out.
The Astra theme is popular among beginner bloggers because of its versatility, customization options, and ease of use.
Astra is a multipurpose WordPress theme designed specifically for bloggers, businesses, and eCommerce websites.
It’s known for its flexibility, high-quality design, and lightweight code. It was created in 2017 by Brainstorm Force, a company specializing in WordPress products.
So, why is Astra worth considering for beginners?
First, it’s easy to use. Even if you don’t have any coding experience, you can customize your website with Astra’s drag-and-drop builder.
Second, Astra has a wide range of pre-built templates perfect for beginners who want to start quickly.
Finally, Astra is optimized for speed, meaning your website will load quickly and rank higher in search results.
In this article, I’ll provide an in-depth review of the Astra theme. I’ll discuss its features, pricing plans, and alternatives.
I’ll explain why Astra stands out among other popular WordPress themes. So, if you’re considering using Astra for your website, keep reading to find out if it’s the right fit for you.
This article contains affiliate links. That means I make a commission when you purchase at no extra cost. I appreciate purchases made using my links.
What is the Astra theme?
Are you looking for a WordPress theme that is easy to use, flexible, and customizable?
Look no further than the Astra theme. This theme has been designed with beginners in mind and offers a range of features that make it an excellent choice for bloggers just starting.
Overview of Astra’s Features
One of the main advantages of using the Astra theme is its wide range of features. Astra offers many customization options allowing users to tailor their websites to their specifications.
Features Include
- Customizable header and footer sections
- Multiple layout options
- Customizable colors and typography
- Integration with popular page builders
Astra theme offers a range of customization options that make it easy for users to create a website that meets their exact specifications.
Customization Options Include
- The ability to customize your website’s colors and typography
- The option to add custom logo and header images
- The ability to customize your website’s layout
- Customizable widgets and sidebar sections
If you’re looking to get your website up and running quickly, Astra offers a range of pre-built website templates that you can choose from.
These templates cover a range of industries and are easy to customize to your brand’s look and feel.
Astra’s Pre-Built Templates Include
- Landing pages
- Blog pages
- E-commerce pages
- Portfolio pages
How Astra Compares to Other Themes
Astra stands out for its beginner-friendly features and customization options compared to other WordPress themes.
It is known for its ease of use and flexibility, making it a popular choice among bloggers just starting.
Astra also boasts an excellent load time, essential for improving your website’s search engine ranking and overall user experience.
In conclusion, the Astra theme is an excellent choice for bloggers starting a website.
Its wide range of features, customization options, and pre-built templates make it easy to create a professional-looking website without any coding knowledge.
Astra’s excellent load time and flexibility make it stand out from other WordPress themes.
Is Astra Theme Free?
Astra is a freemium WordPress theme, which means that while you can use it for free, the paid version offers additional features and functionality.
Let’s start with the pricing. The basic version of Astra is available for free in the WordPress repository.
However, if you want access to more advanced features and customization options, you can upgrade to the Astra Pro version.
Astra Pro has three different pricing tiers:
Astra Pro ($59/year)
This package includes access to all Astra Pro features for use on unlimited websites. You also get access to one-to-one support for a year.
Essential Bundle ($169/year)
In addition to all Astra Pro features, this package includes access to other plugins and tools.
Growth Bundle ($249/year)
This package includes all the features of the Essential Bundle, plus additional plugins and tools.
Features Included in the Free Version
So what do you get with the free version of Astra? Quite a lot!
Here are some of the features you can expect:
- Customizable layout options, including the ability to adjust site headers, footers, blog post layouts, and more.
- Over 100+ starter templates to choose from, many of which are designed specifically for various industries and niches.
- Built-in compatibility with popular page builders like Elementor, Beaver Builder, and Gutenberg.
- Mobile responsiveness and fast loading times ensure your site looks great and loads quickly on all devices.
- Integration with popular plugins like WooCommerce, LearnDash, and Yoast SEO.
If you decide to upgrade to Astra Pro, you’ll gain access to additional features and functionality, such as:
- Customizable typography and color options.
- Additional layout options, including sticky headers, sidebars, and more.
- Advanced blog and archive page customization options.
- White labeling and the ability to remove Astra branding from your website.
- Access to premium support, including one-to-one support for a year.
Overall, Astra’s pricing is reasonable for the number of features and customization options it provides.
Plus, the free version offers plenty of functionality for beginner bloggers who are just starting and don’t want to invest in a paid theme right away.
Astra Theme Alternatives
If you’re not sold on the Astra theme and are looking for other beginner-friendly options, there are a few themes worth considering.
GeneratePress
GeneratePress is another lightweight and fast-loading theme popular among beginners.
It offers a similar level of customization as Astra, but its free version has fewer features.
It’s also worth noting that while GeneratePress is SEO-friendly, it’s not as developer-friendly as Astra.
OceanWP
OceanWP is another theme that’s gained popularity in recent years. It’s highly customizable and offers a range of pre-built templates.
However, it can be slower than Astra and may not be the best choice for those looking to optimize for speed.
Divi
Divi is a drag-and-drop builder that offers a wide range of customization options. It’s more expensive than Astra.
Divi can be overwhelming for beginners and may not be the best choice for those starting out.
When comparing these themes to Astra, there are some key differences to consider.
While each WordPress theme offers customization options, Astra is the most developer-friendly option.
It allows for greater control over your site’s design and layout, and integration with popular page builders makes customization easy.
Another advantage of Astra is its speed optimization features. While other themes are speed-optimized, Astra is lightweight and fast-loading right out of the box. This is a major advantage, as site speed is critical for user experience and search engine rankings.
In summary, while there are other beginner-friendly themes, Astra’s developer-friendliness and speed optimization features make it stand out.
Why is the Astra Theme So Popular?
If you are new to WordPress, you may wonder what makes the Astra theme so special.
Astra is one of the most popular WordPress themes available today.
Here is a brief explanation of why so many bloggers and website owners choose Astra:
First, Astra is a newbie-friendly theme that is easy to use and packed with features. It is perfect for bloggers just starting on their journey and don’t want to invest too much money in a theme.
Astra’s ease of customization and drag-and-drop interface makes it easy to create stunning websites without coding knowledge.
Astra is incredibly versatile and flexible, which is why it has become a popular choice among website owners.
Some of its standout features include:
Pre-Built Website Templates
Astra has dozens of pre-built website templates you can use to create a professional site in minutes.
Lightweight and Fast
Astra is a lightweight theme that loads incredibly fast. This is crucial for website owners who want to provide an excellent user experience and improve their SEO.
SEO-Friendly
Speaking of SEO, Astra is search engine optimized. It is easier for search engines to crawl and index your site. This can help improve your site’s visibility and ranking.
WooCommerce Integration
If you want to create an online store, Astra integrates seamlessly with WooCommerce, the most popular eCommerce platform for WordPress.
Accessibility-ready
Astra is also accessible, which means it follows all the accessibility guidelines set by the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG).
Astra’s popularity is not just down to its features. It also outperforms other popular themes on the market.
For example, according to a review by WPBeginner, Astra is faster than popular themes like Divi and Avada. It also has a smaller file size, which makes it perfect for those with limited hosting resources.
In summary, Astra’s popularity is due to its versatility, flexibility, and ease of use.
It has become the go-to theme for beginners and experienced users looking for a simple yet powerful solution for their website.
Astra Review
As an experienced blogger, I have personally used Astra for some of my WordPress websites and have had a positive experience with it.
Astra provides a simple and user-friendly interface that is easy to navigate and customize. The pre-built website templates are also helpful for beginners looking for a professional look without starting from scratch.
In addition to my own experience, I also looked into feedback from other Astra users.
Overall, the response has been overwhelmingly positive, with many users praising Astra for its speed, ease of use, and range of customization options.
Some users have noted that the limited features in the free version can be frustrating, but the affordable pricing plans for Astra Pro and Agency make it accessible for bloggers and small business owners.
Overall, my experience with Astra and the positive feedback from other users reinforces my belief that Astra is a top choice for beginner bloggers looking for a reliable and customizable theme.
I highly recommend the Astra theme. Check out the latest offers on Astra Pro and Astra Bundles at WPAstra.com.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Astra easy for beginners to use?
Yes, Astra is a beginner-friendly theme that is easy to use and customize.
How much does Astra cost?
Astra has a free version with limited features, but the paid versions range from $59/year to $249 for lifetime access.
What kind of websites can Astra be used for?
Astra can be used for a wide range of websites, including blogs, e-commerce sites, portfolios, and more.
Can I use Astra on multiple websites?
Yes, with the paid versions of Astra, you can use the theme on unlimited websites.
Is Astra a fast-loading theme?
Yes, Astra is optimized for speed and has a reputation for being a fast-loading theme.
Does Astra offer customer support?
Yes, Astra offers customer support for all paid versions of the theme.
Can I customize Astra without knowing how to code?
Yes, Astra has many customization options, including a drag-and-drop page builder that makes it easy to customize your site without any coding knowledge.
Does Astra include pre-built website templates?
Yes, Astra includes a variety of pre-built website templates that you can import and customize.
Can I use Astra with any hosting provider?
Astra is designed to work with any hosting provider and can be used with popular providers like Bluehost, SiteGround, and HostGator.
What makes Astra stand out from other WordPress themes?
Astra offers a unique combination of speed, flexibility, and ease of use, making it an excellent choice for beginners and advanced users.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Astra theme is one of the best options for beginners looking for a highly customizable WordPress theme that is fast-loading and user-friendly.
Throughout this review, I’ve highlighted some of Astra’s key features and advantages, including its pre-built website templates, extensive customization options, and impressive speed optimization features.
In my final verdict, I highly recommend the Astra theme for beginner bloggers looking for a reliable and easy-to-use WordPress theme.
Whether creating a new WordPress website or looking to refresh your current one, Astra offers a range of benefits that make it an excellent choice for bloggers of all levels.
So, if you’re new to WordPress or looking for a powerful and customizable theme, I encourage you to try Astra.
With its unlimited downloads, extensive customization options, and beginner-friendly features, it’s an excellent choice for bloggers who want to take their site to the next level.
Are you ready to start customizing Astra? Visit my How To Customize The Astra Theme Complete Tutorial article to learn more.
I hope you found my article informative. If you have questions, please leave them below.
John is the founder of Newblogr.com and has a background in retail and travel. However, his true passion lies in building WordPress websites and mastering the art of SEO. He is committed to helping new bloggers build successful websites by providing top-notch SEO services. John hopes to inspire and empower bloggers to reach their goals.
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