Installing Themes
In WordPress, themes control the design, layout, and overall appearance of a website. They determine how content is displayed and provide styling for various elements like fonts, colors, headers, and footers.
Types of WordPress Themes
1. Free Themes
o Available in the official WordPress Theme Directory.
o Good for beginners but may have limited customization options.
Examples:
Astra (Free Version), OceanWP, Neve.
2. Premium Themes
o Paid themes with advanced features and premium support.
o Available on marketplaces like ThemeForest, Elegant Themes, and StudioPress.
Examples:
o Divi, Avada, GeneratePress (Premium).
3. Custom Themes
o Built from scratch or customized to meet specific branding needs.
o Requires coding knowledge (PHP, HTML, CSS, JavaScript).
o Often used for businesses and high-end websites.
4. Page Builder-Friendly Themes
o Designed to work with Elementor, Beaver Builder, WPBakery.
o Allow drag-and-drop customization without coding.
Examples:
o Hello Elementor, Kadence, Blocksy.
5. Multipurpose Themes
o Flexible themes suitable for blogs, eCommerce, corporate sites, and portfolios.
o Feature-rich with multiple demo layouts.
Examples:
o Astra, Avada, Divi, Flatsome.
6. eCommerce (WooCommerce) Themes
o Optimized for WooCommerce, the leading WordPress eCommerce plugin.
Examples:
o Flatsome, Storefront, WoodMart.
7. Niche-Specific Themes
o Designed for specific industries like restaurants, real estate, education, or portfolios.
Examples:
o RealHomes (Real Estate), Eduma (Education), Foodica (Food Blog).
Key Features of a Good WordPress Theme
• Responsive Design – Mobile-friendly layout.
• SEO Optimized – Helps improve search engine rankings.
• Fast Loading Speed – Ensures better performance.
• Customization Options – Colors, fonts, header, footer, etc.
• Plugin Compatibility – Works with essential WordPress plugins.
• Regular Updates – Security and feature improvements.
How to Choose the Right Theme?
• Identify your website’s purpose (blog, business, portfolio, store).
• Check responsiveness (mobile-friendly).
• Look for good customer reviews & ratings.
• Test demo versions before purchasing.
• Ensure compatibility with Elementor if using page builders.
Installing Astra from the WordPress Dashboard (Free Version)
Step 1: Login to WordPress
1. Go to your WordPress Dashboard
2. Navigate to Appearance → Themes.
Step 2: Install the Astra Theme
1. Click "Add New" at the top.
2. In the search box, type "Astra".
3. Find Astra and click "Install".
Step 3: Activate the Theme
1. After installation, click "Activate".
