Okay, so you’ve decided to build a WordPress site – nice choice! This CMS is super versatile and gives you a ton of creative freedom. But let’s be real, starting from scratch with just the basic WP templates often has the effect of showing up to a party in a PJ. You need some stylish new duds to make your site pop.
Here’s where third-party WordPress templates come in. These pre-designed website themes let you hit the ground running with a professional, easy-on-the-eyes layout right out of the gate. Just install it in a few clicks and tweak the design to your heart’s content – an instant glow-up for your online presence.
But with a gazillion options out there, how do you choose? Well, pour yourself a cup of coffee (or a cheeky glass of wine – no one judges), and let’s talk about it.
The Free-for-All
If you’re on a tight budget, free templates are tempting. There are decent freebies to be found, especially on trusted sources like the official WordPress.org directory. Just keep in mind they tend to be pretty basic in terms of features.
Another thing – free assets sometimes lack quality control and support. So if things go wrong, you’re stuck figuring it out solo. Not ideal unless you’re a coding ninja.
Premium Players
Now we’re talking about the high-quality, paid-for WordPress templates aimed at design snobs like us. Yes, you’ll have to pay a bit. But the benefits make it worthwhile for folks who want a slick, unique website.
These premiums typically look more polished, with trendy designs and tons of layouts to choose from. They’re also code-squeaky-clean and are full of advanced functionality. For example, there are custom widgets, plugins, and fancy integration options galore. Best of all, top providers offer solid support in case you get stuck.
So where do you find these premium gems? There are plenty of respected marketplaces to browse:
- TemplateMonster: The OG high-end digital club. They’ve been providing top-notch products for over 20 years now. Expect slick, multi-purpose WordPress templates backed by solid customer support from TemplateMonster. A huge range of trendy, functional themes. In a word, the quality stuff is worth checking out.
- ThemeForest: This beast has a massive catalog of affordable web assets for every niche under the sun. The downside? So many options = choice overload!
- ElegantThemes: These folks keep things simple with a carefully curated selection of clean, high-performance web templates and plugins. Their Divi theme/builder combo is wildly popular.
- StudioPress: Run by the crew behind the Genesis framework, StudioPress’s web layouts put a big focus on SEO, security, and performance out of the box.
There are plenty of other reputable stores to peruse too. But those four ordered by popularity should give you a solid start on your quest for the perfect layout.
DIY Dynamos
Okay, what if you want something unique – like, solely customized for your brand’s funky vibe? Then you’ll need to get help from a web designer.
Hiring a developer to build a custom WordPress theme is pricier (much more, in fact) than grabbing a premade one. But you’ll end up with a 100% personalized design that screams “you.” No other website will look quite like yours.
Just prepare to stay involved during the dev process to ensure you get exactly what you want. And also be ready to maintain a unique code once it’s live.
Pricing, Membership Clubs, and Custom Design Considerations
Speaking of not going broke, let’s talk pricing for a minute.
Paying Per Item
Free is the cheapest it gets, though again, you get what you pay for. If you want more power without breaking the bank, many providers let you score a single demo for just $20-$60. Not bad at all, right? Especially when you consider all the layouts, customization options, and extras they pack in for one price.
Subscription-Based Options
Now, if you need scores of paid WordPress templates for client work or multiple site builds, then investing in a club membership makes sense.
Places like TemplateMonster (MonsterONE membership) and ElegantThemes offer such affordable annual/lifetime subscriptions granting you unlimited access to their entire digital library.
You get hundreds upon hundreds of digital products at your fingertips for one flat rate, usually between $100-$300 per year.
Personally, I prefer memberships for the value and variety they offer. But I may be biased since I love having all the choices at hand.
Another smart idea? If you already use certain plugins or frameworks like Elementor or Beaver Builder, see if they offer bundled club subscriptions too. Such integration helps you a lot down the road.
Hiring a Pro
Okay, okay, I can hear your next question from here: “But what if I absolutely dislike every premade WordPress template out there?”
Well, then it’s time to commission a custom design from a pro designer. Yes, it’s the priciest route upfront, usually starting at $1,000 minimum for a quality job done from scratch. But you’ll have a 100% unique, pixel-perfect website tailored to your brand’s wildest dreams.
Just be sure to check developers carefully and set a clear timeline/scope right away. Custom code is great… until you’re stuck contacting the dev for fixes. Trust me, it’s a hassle you do NOT want.
The Last Words
One last tip before you go: Always install a fresh theme on a staging site before unleashing it on your live site. That lets you play around with configuration, customization, and any needed code tweaks without affecting your current live site. Think of it as a dress rehearsal before opening night.
Seriously, many upload a new theme directly to their live website and have it mess up their whole online presence. Don’t be that person who is searching “How to restore website from backup.”
So there you have it – a few more pointers to consider as you search for a perfect template. Or just go wild and build it all custom from scratch if that’s what you want.
The Choice is Yours
At the end of the day, there’s no objectively “best” place to score WordPress templates. It boils down to your specific needs, skills, and budget.
Freebies work for basic brochure sites on a tight budget. Meanwhile, premium options or bespoke dev are worthwhile investments for businesses desiring a high-end, scalable web presence.
So go forth and explore! With a little digging, you’re sure to find the perfect web appearance to make your website totally firecracker.
