As a beginner, choosing the best theme for your blog can be overwhelming.
With so many options available, it can be hard to determine which one will work best for your needs.
However, choosing the best theme is crucial to the success of your blog.
Well-designed themes can improve your blog’s functionality, usability, and aesthetics.
On the other hand, poorly designed themes can make your blog difficult to navigate and negatively impact your users’ experience.
This article provides a comprehensive list of the best beginner-friendly themes with in-depth reviews of each theme’s features and ease of use.
If you’re a beginner, this guide will help you choose a theme that meets your needs and helps you create a professional-looking blog without any coding or design experience.
I’ll cover everything you need to know about finding the best themes so you can build your site.
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.
Criteria for Choosing Beginner-Friendly WordPress Themes
Choosing the best theme is crucial for building a blog, especially for beginners.
Here are some criteria to consider when selecting the best beginner-friendly themes:
Customization options
Look for themes that are highly customizable, with options for changing colors, fonts, layouts, and other design elements.
This will allow you to create a unique blog that reflects your brand or personality.
Compatibility with plugins
Ensure the theme is compatible with popular WordPress plugins, such as Yoast SEO, Jetpack, and Contact Form 7.
This will give you more flexibility in adding functionality to your WordPress blog.
Ease of installation
Look for themes that are easy to install and set up, with clear instructions and minimal customization required.
This will save you time and effort, especially if you’re new to WordPress.
Design
Choose themes with a clean and modern design and a layout that is easy to navigate and visually appealing.
Avoid themes with too many design elements or cluttered layouts, as these can make your blog difficult to use.
By considering these criteria, you can narrow down your choices and find themes that are beginner-friendly and tailored to your needs.
In the next section, I list some of the best beginner-friendly themes available, along with detailed reviews of each theme’s features and ease of use.
Best Beginner-Friendly WordPress Themes
If you’re new to WordPress, you might not want to invest in a premium theme.
Luckily, there are plenty of great free options available that are perfect for beginners.
Here are some of the best free themes for beginners, along with detailed reviews of each theme’s features and ease of use:
Astra
Astra is a free versatile and lightweight theme suitable for many websites, including blogs, portfolios, online stores, and more.
Its minimalist design allows for easy customization, making it a popular choice among beginners.
One of the standout features of Astra is its extensive library of pre-designed templates.
You can import and customize them to fit your brand or style.
Here is an Astra starter template.
View more than 240 ready-to-import site templates at wpastra.com/website-templates/
Additionally, Astra supports popular page builders like Elementor, Beaver Builder, and Brizy, allowing for even greater design flexibility.
Astra is also highly compatible with popular WordPress plugins like WooCommerce, AMP, and others, making it an excellent choice for those looking to add e-commerce functionality or increase their blog’s speed and performance.
It’s also SEO-friendly, ensuring your blog is discoverable by search engines.
Despite its many features, Astra remains lightweight and fast-loading, providing an optimal user experience for your blog visitors.
Its user-friendly interface makes it easy to navigate and configure, even for those with little or no coding experience.
Overall, Astra is a great theme for beginners looking for a lightweight and customizable option that doesn’t sacrifice functionality or design quality.
OceanWP
OceanWP is a free popular and versatile theme with a wide range of customization options making it an excellent choice for beginners who want to create a unique and professional-looking blog without any coding or design experience.
One of the main advantages of OceanWP is its extensive library of pre-designed templates, which you can import and customize to meet your specific needs.
The theme also offers a range of design options, including custom headers, footers, widgets, and layouts, so you can tailor your blog to your liking.
In addition to its design options, OceanWP includes built-in support for e-commerce, social media, and translations, making it an excellent choice for businesses or bloggers who want to reach a global audience.
The theme also has fast and reliable performance, ensuring your blog loads quickly and runs smoothly.
Finally, OceanWP is optimized for SEO and accessibility, ensuring that your blog is easy to find and navigate for all users.
If you have any questions or issues with the theme, OceanWP has a helpful support team and extensive documentation, making it easy to get the help you need to customize your blog.
Hestia
Hestia is a free clean and modern theme suitable for business websites, blogs, and portfolios.
It offers a sleek one-page design with smooth scrolling, parallax effects, and customizable sections that allow you to highlight your featured content effectively.
One of the great things about Hestia is its seamless integration with popular page builders and plugins, making it easy for beginners to customize their websites without needing any coding knowledge.
Hestia features a responsive and retina-ready design, which means your blog will look great on all devices, including smartphones and tablets.
The theme also has a clean and minimalist design that’s easy on the eyes and emphasizes your website’s content rather than distracting users with unnecessary design elements.
These features make Hestia an excellent choice for beginners who want a professional-looking blog without any coding or design experience.
Neve
Neve is a free clean, lightweight theme optimized for speed, performance, and usability.
This makes it an excellent choice for beginners who want to create a professional-looking blog without worrying about complicated coding or design processes.
One of the standout features of Neve is its modular design, which allows users to build their websites from scratch or choose from dozens of starter sites and templates.
This makes it easy for beginners to customize their websites to their liking without starting from scratch.
In addition, Neve offers advanced customization options such as a header and footer builder, a mega menu, and a WooCommerce booster.
This means you can tailor your blog to your needs without third-party plugins or customization services.
Finally, Neve is compatible with major page builders and plugins, making it a versatile theme that can be used in a variety of settings.
With its clean design and flexible customization options, Neve is an excellent option for beginners who want to create a user-friendly and visually appealing blog.
Ashe
Ashe is a free clean and elegant theme perfect for bloggers and writers.
Its minimalistic design focuses on your content and makes it easy for readers to navigate your site.
One of the great things about Ashe is that it includes custom widgets that let you feature your most popular posts, display your social media accounts, and more.
And with its responsive and retina-ready layout, your blog will look great on any device.
Another essential factor to consider when choosing a theme is SEO-friendliness.
And Ashe doesn’t disappoint – it has been built with SEO best practices in mind, making it easier for websites to rank higher in search engine results.
Ashe is also translation-ready. You can easily translate websites into different languages.
And if you ever need help with the theme, you can turn to its friendly support team and comprehensive documentation.
To see how Ashe looks and feels, check out its screenshots or demo link, which is available on the official Ashe theme page.
However, remember that although these themes are free, they require technical knowledge and effort to install and customize.
So be prepared to invest some time and resources into building your website.
Top Premium WordPress Themes
While many free themes are available, premium themes can take websites to the next level.
WordPress premium themes often offer more advanced functionality, more customization options, and better support than free themes.
You may not need all these features, but if you’re serious about building a successful WordPress website, it may be worth considering premium themes.
Here are some of the best premium themes suitable for beginners.
While they may come at a cost, they offer a range of benefits that can help you create a professional-looking website with ease:
Divi by Elegant Themes
Divi is an excellent theme for beginners, particularly if you want to customize your website to suit your needs.
One of the standout features of Divi is its drag-and-drop page builder, which makes it easy to create unique layouts without any coding experience.
With over 800 pre-made layouts, you’re bound to find one that works for your website type.
In addition to its customization options, Divi is known for its fast loading speeds, advanced security features, and compatibility with popular plugins.
Starting at $89/year, many users find it a worthwhile investment for flexibility and functionality.
Avada by ThemeFusion
Avada is a versatile multi-purpose theme perfect for beginners who want a customizable and easy-to-use theme.
One of the standout features of Avada is its intuitive options panel, which allows you to customize almost every aspect of your WordPress website without any coding knowledge.
Additionally, Avada comes with a drag-and-drop page builder, making it easy to create complex page layouts and designs.
Another advantage of Avada is its library of pre-built website templates, which saves you time and effort in designing your WordPress site.
These templates cover a variety of niches, including e-commerce, business, and portfolio sites, and can be easily customized to suit your needs.
Avada also focuses on speed and performance, ensuring your website loads quickly and efficiently.
This is especially important for user experience and can also improve your website’s search engine rankings.
Pricing for Avada starts at $69, which includes six months of support and updates.
For an additional fee, you can extend your support to twelve months.
Overall, Avada is an excellent option for beginners who want a powerful and flexible theme that is easy to use and customize.
Astra by Brainstorm Force
Astra is a lightweight and fast theme that’s ideal for beginners. It’s highly customizable and comes with pre-designed website templates.
It is easy to create a professional-looking WordPress site without any design experience.
Astra also integrates with popular page builders like Elementor and Beaver Builder, allowing you to create custom page layouts.
One of the best features of Astra is its compatibility with many popular WordPress plugins, which means you can add advanced functionality to your website without any coding.
Additionally, Astra is optimized for performance, meaning your WordPress website will load quickly and run smoothly.
Pricing for Astra starts at $59/year, but there’s also a free version available that comes with basic features for beginners.
Overall, Astra is an excellent choice for beginners who want a sleek and customizable theme that’s easy to use and compatible with a wide range of plugins.
OceanWP
OceanWP is a user-friendly and versatile theme that’s perfect for beginners.
It offers a range of customization options, allowing you to create a unique WordPress website without any coding experience.
One of the best things about OceanWP is its extensive library of pre-built templates that cover many industries.
You can choose from dozens of templates and customize them to fit your needs.
OceanWP integrates well with popular page builders like Elementor and Beaver Builder, allowing you to create complex page layouts.
Another advantage of OceanWP is its fast loading speed, a crucial factor for user experience and search engine optimization.
This theme is also compatible with popular WordPress plugins, making adding functionality and features to your site easy.
Pricing for OceanWP starts at $54/year, which includes access to all premium features and support.
However, the free version of OceanWP comes with an excellent selection of theme options that might be enough for many beginners.
Genesis Framework by StudioPress
The Genesis Framework is a popular theme framework used by many professional bloggers and business owners.
It provides a solid foundation for building a highly customized WordPress website and is known for its fast loading times, security, and SEO-friendly features.
The Genesis Framework can be used as a parent theme along with a child theme, allowing you to customize your website’s design and functionality to your liking without touching any code.
Whether you’re a blogger, small business owner, or developer, the Genesis Framework offers a flexible and powerful platform for building a successful WordPress website.
While the Genesis Framework offers many benefits, it may not be the best choice for all beginners due to its higher pricing starting at $360.00.
It may be more suitable for those who require advanced customization options and have more experience working with WordPress.
Nevertheless, it’s worth considering if you’re willing and able to invest in a professional-grade theme framework.
Enfold by Kriesi
Enfold is a WordPress premium theme that offers a highly customizable and flexible design, making it an excellent choice for beginners who want a professional-looking website without the need for coding skills.
With Enfold’s drag-and-drop page builder, create custom pages without navigating complicated code or design interfaces.
What’s more, Enfold comes with a library of pre-made website templates focused on usability and user experience.
This makes it easy to choose a design that meets your needs and helps you create a functional and aesthetically pleasing website.
While Enfold is a WordPress premium theme, pricing starts at $59, and many premium themes offer special discounts and promotions, so be sure to check their websites for the latest deals.
While free WordPress themes can be an excellent option for beginners, premium WordPress themes often come with additional features and benefits that can help take websites to the next level.
These may include advanced customization options, SEO optimization, and support from the theme’s developers.
Ultimately, deciding to invest in a WordPress premium theme will depend on your needs and budget.
However, if you’re looking for a flexible, user-friendly theme that offers a range of customization options, Enfold is worth considering.
How to Install and Customize Your WordPress Theme
Installing a theme is a straightforward process.
Here are the steps to follow:
Log in to your WordPress dashboard by entering your username and password.
Navigate to the Appearance > Themes section on the left-hand menu.
Click the “Add New” button at the top of the page.
You can search for a specific theme in the search box or browse through the Featured, Popular, or Latest sections to find a theme that suits your website’s needs.
Once you have found a theme you like, click the “Install” button next to it.
After installing the theme, click the “Activate” button to make it active on your site.
Now that you have installed your theme, it’s time to customize it to fit your website’s needs.
Here are some tips to help you get started:
Customize the header and footer of your theme
Most WordPress themes allow you to customize the header and footer sections. This is a great way to add your logo, social media links, and other important information.
Customize the colors and fonts
Most WordPress themes also allow you to customize the colors and fonts used on websites. This can help you create a unique and cohesive look for your site.
Install and activate plugins
Plugins can help add extra functionality to websites. For example, you may want to install a plugin to add a contact form, a gallery, or a slider to your site.
Add widgets to your theme
Widgets are small modules added to the sidebar, footer, or other areas of websites. They can be used to display recent posts, a search bar, social media icons, and more.
Customize your homepage
Your homepage is often the first thing visitors see when they visit your website.
Most WordPress themes allow you to customize your homepage by adding or removing sections, changing the layout, and more.
Many WordPress themes come with a built-in theme customizer to make customizing easier.
This allows you to make changes to your theme and see them in real-time.
To access the theme customizer, go to Appearance > Customize in your WordPress dashboard.
If you’re still having trouble customizing your theme, many resources are available online to help you.
You can find tutorials, videos, and forums that can provide tips and guidance.
Best Practices for Using WordPress Themes
Using a theme is how to create a professional-looking website quickly.
Here are some best practices you should follow to ensure your site is secure, performs well, and is optimized for search engines.
Avoid common mistakes
One common mistake is choosing a theme solely based on its appearance without checking its code quality, responsiveness, and compatibility with the latest version of WordPress.
Another mistake is modifying the theme’s core files, which can break its functionality and make it difficult to update.
Keep your theme updated
Developers often release updates to fix bugs, improve performance, and add new features.
Updating your theme ensures you have the latest security patches and websites runs smoothly.
Use a child theme
If you want to customize your WordPress theme, create a child theme instead of modifying the original theme’s code.
A child theme inherits the parent theme’s functionality, but any modifications you make won’t affect the parent theme’s codebase.
Optimize your theme for performance
Fast-loading websites improves user experience and SEO rankings.
To optimize your WordPress theme, minimize HTTP requests, compress images, use caching, and minimize the use of external scripts.
Optimize your theme for SEO
Choose a WordPress theme that follows SEO best practices, like using semantic HTML, optimized code, and schema markup.
Additionally, ensure your website is mobile-friendly and has a good page load speed.
By following these best practices, you can ensure that your WordPress theme is secure, performs well, and is search engine optimized.
Additional Resources for Beginners
In addition to choosing the best WordPress theme, there are other important factors to consider when building websites.
Here are some additional resources to help you get started:
Tutorials and Guides
If you’re new to WordPress, many online tutorials and guides can help you learn the basics of the platform.
Here are some resources to get you started:
WordPress.org’s Beginner’s Guide
WP101
Smashing Magazine’s WordPress Tutorials
Hosting Providers
Choosing the right hosting provider is crucial to the performance and security of websites.
Here are some popular hosting providers to consider.
Bluehost
SiteGround
WP Engine
Domain Name
Your domain name is your website’s address and is how visitors will find your site.
Here are some tips for choosing the right domain name.
- Keep it simple and memorable
- Use keywords related to your niche or industry
- Consider using your name or brand name
- Make sure it’s easy to spell and pronounce
By using these resources and considering these factors, you’ll be well on your way to building a successful website with WordPress.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a WordPress theme?
A WordPress theme is a collection of files that controls the visual appearance and layout.
It determines how your site will look to visitors and helps you customize various aspects of your site’s design.
How do I install a WordPress theme?
To install a WordPress theme, go to the “Appearance” section of your WordPress dashboard, click on “Themes,” and then click on “Add New.”
Search for a WordPress theme by name or browse the available options.
Once you’ve found a WordPress theme, click “Install” and then “Activate” to start using it.
Can I customize a WordPress theme?
Yes, you can customize a WordPress theme to fit your website’s needs. Most WordPress themes allow you to change colors, fonts, and layouts.
You can also use custom CSS or a page builder plugin to make more extensive changes.
Are all WordPress themes free?
No, not all WordPress themes are free. While there are many free themes available, there are also premium (paid) themes that offer more features and customization options.
How do I choose the best WordPress theme for my website?
When choosing a WordPress theme, consider your website’s purpose, audience, and content.
Look for a WordPress theme with the features and design elements you need, and ensure it’s compatible with any plugins you plan to use.
How often should I update my WordPress theme?
You should update your WordPress theme whenever a new version is available.
This ensures that your site remains secure and optimized for performance.
How can I make my WordPress theme more SEO-friendly?
To optimize your WordPress theme for SEO, ensure it has clean, valid code and loads quickly.
Use descriptive, keyword-rich titles and meta descriptions for your pages and posts, and make sure your site is mobile-friendly.
You can also use an SEO plugin like Yoast SEO to help you optimize your content.
Conclusion
Congratulations on making it to the end of this guide on choosing the perfect WordPress theme for your website!
By following the tips and recommendations in this article, you now have the tools to make informed decisions when selecting a theme for your WordPress site.
I’ve covered the basics of WordPress themes, including what they are, how to choose the right one for your needs, how to install and customize them, and best practices for using them.
I’ve also highlighted some of the best free and premium WordPress themes for beginners, with detailed reviews of their features and pricing.
Avoid common mistakes such as choosing a WordPress theme based solely on aesthetics, failing to keep your WordPress theme updated and secure, and overloading your website with unnecessary features.
By applying the tips and suggestions in this guide, you can optimize your chosen theme for performance and SEO, ensuring your website is user-friendly and easy to navigate.
Also, don’t be afraid to experiment with different themes until you find the perfect fit for your website.
For further learning or support, I recommend WordPress.org and the theme developers’ websites are excellent resources.
There are also many online communities and forums where you can connect with other WordPress users and receive help or advice.
Start exploring the recommended themes today and create a stunning website that attracts and engages your audience!
Do you want to know more about WordPress? Check out my What Does WordPress Do? Everything You Need to Know to Get Started article to learn more.
I hope you found my article informative. If you have questions, please leave them below.
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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