Compare Top Web Themes & Templates

What is a Web Theme?

Web themes provide the front-end design aspects of your website, offering a host of features, styles, and creative ideas. Website themes typically encompass a wide range of colors, widgets, templates, creative elements, styles for blog archives, font styling, and customizable design elements. In much the same fashion as website plug-ins, it is possible to choose from many free themes and templates from a website builder theme library or the WordPress Theme Directory.

If you are building your site with a website builder, we suggest looking at Wix’s template library for visually stunning yet professional looking templates. Volusion is a top choice for eCommerce website themes. For businesses using a CMS such as WordPress, we suggest purchasing a theme from providers such as ThemeForest or Template Monster. Premium website themes and templates offer multiple benefits over the free versions. For starters, they offer reliable customer support and a stable code base. Many of the premium-themed options work in a similar fashion to web design software.

Themes are affordable whereas custom-built websites are less-so. It is possible to pay anywhere from $5,000 – $50,000 for a custom-built website. Fortunately, high-quality themes are available to anyone, with the majority costing less than $100! They are affordable, easy to work with, and largely customizable. Drag-and-drop functionality, image placement and multimedia options are easily incorporated into many WordPress themes.

How to Select the Best Theme for Your Website?

It can be a daunting challenge selecting a theme for your business website. In deciding which theme to go for, carefully consider the nature of your business and what your strategic objectives are. In all cases, it’s important to keep it as simple as possible. As Leonardo da Vinci said, Simplicity Is the Ultimate Sophistication.

WordPress themes are feature-rich, many of them encompassing animation, complex layouts, and designs, and a smorgasbord of colors. Always choose a simple theme that supports your organizational objectives. Additional options such as page builders, WordPress plug-ins, help and support options and search engine optimization tools are important.

No matter the theme you choose, make sure it is optimized for mobile. These sites feature prominently on leading search engines such as Google, where mobile-friendliness is an important ranking factor. Typically, WordPress themes are mobile friendly, but you may encounter themes with fixed widths that do not comply with mobile specs. Modern website builders such as Weebly and Wix offer 100% mobile-friendly, responsive themes to their users, so you don’t have to worry about the compatibility of your website design.

Always test the mobile functionality of your template/theme. Browser compatibility is an issue that affects many websites, even today. Be sure that you have cross-platform functionality with Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome, Safari, and others. Another consideration is the range of plug-ins that are supported by your website. Popular plug-ins enhance the functionality of your website. Once you’re satisfied with a theme, test it out in a demo mode before you pay for it. This is a great way to ensure that it meets your standards.

What is a Website Builder?

A website builder is an online platform that allows you to build websites without the need to write or edit code. Working with a website builder is relatively easy, as they offer a what-you-see-is-what-you-get editing interface, meaning what you see while you edit your site is what you will actually see if your website was live and viewed inork with drag-and-drop editors and ‘on-board’ hosting services.

Website Builders vs eCommerce Platforms: What’s the Difference?

A website builder is an online platform that allows you to build websites without the need to write or edit code. Working with a website builder is relatively easy, as they offer a what-you-see-is-what-you-get editing interface, meaning what you see while you edit your site is what you will actually see if your website was live and viewed inork with drag-and-drop editors and ‘on-board’ hosting services.

How to Compare & Choose the Best Website Builder for You

Costs

the costs of the website builder package must be measured against your site’s ROI.

Customization

To what extent do you plan to customize your website and does the web builder offer enough options to achieve this?

Ease of use

the degree to which technical expertise is required to maintain and run your website is reflected in the user-friendliness of the website builder. The easier it is to edit and maintain, the more user-friendly the system.

Support

check that the platform you choose offers a range of support options such as chat, phone, email and knowledge base, so you have somewhere to turn to if you require assistance while building your site