Typically, you will get less support for a free theme and may struggle with customizing your blog. You may fall in love with a really great free theme and later realize that many other sites are using it too. And you run the risk that your free theme will not be upgraded when WordPress upgrades (this happened to me last month on one of my blogs.)

Before You Purchase a WordPress Theme

You should read the terms of use on the developer’s site before you make a purchase so you are certain you understand what is offered with your theme. These are the things you should look for when purchasing your WordPress theme:

Support – Do they offer support for your theme? Some websites have forums where you can ask questions about the theme and troubleshoot problems that arise. Others use a blog format. Taking the time to browse the forums and/or blog on a developer’s website will give you a sense of the support offered for your website set up. If basic questions go unanswered or the theme was sold “as is,” you may want to look for a more supportive developer.

Updates – Do they offer updates? When the WordPress platform updates, themes built for earlier versions of WordPress do not always work on the updated platforms. Will this vendor offer updates or patches that keep your theme workable on newer versions? Without guaranteed updates you risk having to either change your theme or choosing not to upgrade your WordPress to take advantage of improvements.

Customization – Is this theme going to be easy for you to make unique? You probably do not want to spend a lot of money on a theme that looks like everyone else’s website. You probably also do not want to pay someone else to take your paid theme and make it special. Typical customization features include adding your own logo, changing the color schemes, and adjusting page elements like side bars and columns.

Here are a couple of the more popular options out there if you decide to purchase a WordPress theme. Both of these sites offer developer packages for webmasters who manage multiple sites. Please note that these are affiliate links and I will receive compensation if you purchase a theme.

Thesis Theme for WordPress

The Thesis theme features:

• Search engine optimized code and design.
• Many simple options for customizing your website set up.
• Thirty day money back guarantee.
• Free lifetime updates with purchase.

You owe to yourself to visit this site and check out their videos before you buy anyone else’s theme.

WooThemes for WordPress

WooThemes offers two ways to purchase themes:

• You can purchase a theme outright and receive two bonus themes. This option includes lifetime updates for these themes.
• You can join their subscription club and receive access to all their themes, plus two new ones each month. This option includes updates only for as long as you are a member.

WooThemes is a good choice if you like the idea of having the flexibility to completely change your website set up without investing a lot of your time in developing a new design.