BWhen creating a WordPress website you will soon be faced with the choice of which template / layout to use. There are many thousands of templates available on the internet and that can make the choice difficult. Below are some tips for making this important choice.

Paid or free

In addition to WordPress being free to use, many templates are free to use. The difference between paid and free templates can be very big. A paid template usually costs between 20 and 70 euros and offers the look and feel of a uniquely designed website without the high costs. The templates can usually be fully configured in your corporate identity.

A few things to consider when choosing between paid and free:

  • ThemeForest

    Themeforest offers premium templates for a reasonable price

    Only download from a reliable source. The best source for free templates is www.wordpress.org/themes.
    Paid templates can also be found here, but if you want to use a paid template then Themeforest.net recommended.
    Sometimes paid templates can be found on download sites. Its use is strongly discouraged. Malware is often packaged in this, so that a website will quickly be hacked.

  • Only use templates that are well maintained by the creators. This can be seen in the reviews or responses to the relevant template. Here you can also see how problems are dealt with and how (and whether) they are resolved properly.
  • Remember that with both a free and a paid template, the template remains the property of the creators. This sounds more annoying than it is. The only notable drawback to this is that you are not allowed to sell the website as if you created the template yourself, or sell the template as your creation.
  • As a licensee, you can expect more with a paid template. Both in terms of functionalities and quality. With sources such as Themeforest the following often applies; not happy, money back.

Functionalities

Paid templates often come with more functionalities as standard.

  • A good template uses a good framework.
    A framework is well-written basic code and therefore offers the creator a good basis for the template. The amount of functionalities varies enormously per framework.
    Examples of such frameworks are Redux Framework en Options Framework. Some major template builders even have their own framework, such as FusionCore from the Avada template. However, having your own framework is an exception and does not necessarily have to be an advantage.
  • Functionalities not provided by the framework can be obtained through the use of plugins.
    A plugin is a piece of software that provides certain functionality to a website. Functionalities that come standard with a template are usually not complex. Consider the option to adjust colors, add an Analytics code or a field to Custom CSS to enter.
    Templates that are equipped with complex functions such as a reservation system or sales system usually use a plugin such as Bookly, WooCommerce or other well-known plugins.
    It is wise to carefully examine in advance what the website is used for and whether the template offers these functionalities as standard. If this is not the case, you can look for a good plugin with these options. It is also important to look at quality and support from the makers with plugins. Also, only download plugins from reliable sources. Always try to be sure in advance that there are no known conflicts between the plugin and the template used.
  • Many templates offer “free” paid plugins such as Revolution Slider and Visual Composer. This makes a significant difference since such plugins can easily cost 20 to 40 euros each. However, this license differs from the usual license and is issued to the builder of the template.
    This means that the creator of the template will have to provide any new versions. For example, Revolution Slider and Visual Composer offer quite frequent updates. This can become a problem if the creator does not maintain the template properly and does not provide the latest versions quickly enough. However, this can be quickly remedied by purchasing a regular license of the relevant plugin.

Definitive choice

When making the final choice, always choose the template that you feel most comfortable with. See whether problems are expected and how they can best be tackled.

Do you need help finding a good template? Or would you rather outsource the construction? We are happy to assist you without obligation. You can contact us via info@milcraft.nl or 0172-897789.