Where did you get that theme?

For many of us, choosing a theme for our WordPress can be satisfied from the WordPress Free Themes Directory – you can search through these easily and upload without having to move from the comfort of your Dashboard (Appearance, Add New Themes). And I would suggest that choosing from themes already approved by WordPress themselves is likely to be good security practice.

Now some of us want more – functionality, choice, support – and for this we are happy to pay for a Premium Theme – those tried and tested by us are listed below, together with others that we consider trustworthy.

Or you might want a bespoke theme created for you – something simple that can be created with Artisteer (which was used for this blog and a few others we’ve worked with), or something more complex that requires some geek attention – again, a solution you can feel secure with (if you trust your geek!).

And then you have the many free WordPress theme directories from which to choose – and this is where you must be more careful – and not only with your time (it’s too easy to spend hours searching for just the right theme!). A quick Google for “Free WordPress Themes” will offer you hundreds of directories to while away more time than perhaps is necessary or welcome and before you download and use a theme, however lovely, from such a site, considering the following:

• Take a look at the bottom of the page – in the theme’s footer area. Is there a link that perhaps you’d rather not have associated with your business? This is very common and many an unsuspecting blog owners ends up with a link to “Online Bingo” or worse (much worse”).
• Are you happy to look through the source files for any unexpected and hidden links that might
  detract from your blog?
• How do you feel about the site on which you’ve found this lovely theme? Are you met with pop-ups or anything that makes you at all uncomfortable? Avoid such, I suggest!
• Keep an eye on the theme creator’s blog for any upgrades available, etc.
• Take a look through the WordPress forum for any issues with that theme.

I think you get the idea, and there are plenty of free WordPress themes that will suit you just fine, but if you want to err on the side of caution, stick with one of the first 3 options. And if you are ever unsure, we’re here to guide and help you.

Some premium WordPress themes that we work with (these are non-affiliate links):

Thesis

WooThemes

StudioPress

Elegant Themes