Have you ever tried to find a good WordPress theme for your business? You type “WordPress theme” into Google and literally get over 57,800,000 results.

With so many choices and thousands of themes all over the web, it can be overwhelming trying to sort through them all. Where do you start? Where do you go? What do you even look for?

The good news is that there are ways to narrow down your search. What helps is knowing where to go and what to look for.

In this post, I’ll walk you through the 4 of the most popular places to find WordPress themes. Plus the pros and cons of each to help you narrow down your choices so you don’t waste time visiting every single theme site.

Free Directories

As the name implies, these are sites that list WordPress themes that are free to download and use, but you don’t have to waste time visiting every single one.

The only one I recommend is the official WordPress theme directory. Each theme listed in the directory undergoes an extensive review check. So you get a well-coded theme that meets all the security standards set forth by WordPress.

Pros:

  • You get a free theme and who doesn’t like free?
  • You also get a theme that meets all the WordPress standards, which is a big plus.
  • Plus a theme that is easy to update. One click via the dashboard.

Cons

  • You won’t get a unique theme since many other businesses will use the same theme.
  • You’ll have limited or no customizations options. Many free themes include no extra features or the ability to customize the theme.
  • Limited or no support. Theme developers are not required to provide any support for their themes. Which means you’ll be on your own if a problem arises.

Are free directories right for you?

I would recommend free directories to new business just starting out with a limited budget.

Theme Marketplaces

Next on the list are Theme Marketplaces, which sell WordPress themes from different vendors. Most themes in these marketplaces are premium themes priced at around $50 each. In an article by The Theme Foundry, they list the “big three” in the WordPress marketplace space as:

Pros

  • Lots of variety and many types of themes available, you will find a theme that meets your needs.
  • Premium themes that include extra features and customization options. Allow you to personalize the theme and make it your own.

Cons

  • Many marketplaces don’t check the theme’s code for compatibility or security issues.
  • Too many features you may never use. Many developers add a ton of extra features to appeal to more buyers, which leads to code bloat and slow sites.
  • Support will vary. Mojo is the only marketplace that requires developers to offer support. To be safe check reviews before purchasing from any developer.
  • Hard to update. You must first download then reinstall the theme when a new update is available.

Are theme marketplaces right for you?

I would recommend marketplaces for business who are on a limited budgets but still want a feature-rich and customizable theme.

Independent Theme Shops

Third on the list is Independent Theme Shops. Like marketplaces, they also sell premium theme but from their own websites. Most themes range between $50 to $100 each. Some theme shops also sell their complete library of themes for a onetime fee or on a subscription basis.

Pros

  • As with marketplaces, you get many types of themes. You’ll have no trouble finding a theme that meets your needs.
  • Most themes also include customization options. Which allow you to personalize the theme and make it your own.
  • Less code bloat and a faster site. Most themes only include the features you’ll need.

Cons

  • Themes from theme shops might be more expensive than themes from marketplaces.
  • Some theme shops are one or two-person operations. And might not be able to provide extensive support if something goes wrong.

Are independent theme shops right for you?

I would recommend independent theme shops to businesses with larger budgets. Who wants a high-quality customizable theme without all the extras that might slow their site down.

Theme Developer

Finally on the list are theme developers. Theme developers can help you customize an existing theme or develop a custom theme for you. Pricing depends on your exact requirements but most range between a few hundred dollars to several thousand dollars.

Pros

  • Your theme will be unique. No other business will have the same theme.
  • The theme will meet your needs and fit your brand.
  • You’ll get a fast loading website since the theme will only include features you need.
  • Support will vary from one developer to another. But most developers offer maintenance packages. So if problems arise you can get them fixed right away.

Cons

  • Custom themes are more expensive and take a longer to develop.
  • It can be difficult finding a good theme developer. You must rely on Google, reviews, and recommendation to find the right one.

Is a theme developer right for you?

I would recommend theme developers to businesses ready to step up their game. Businesses that has a larger budget to work with and are ready to invest in a custom design that fits their brand and exact needs.

Now you know about the 4 most popular places to find WordPress theme and what the pros and cons are of each. You are ready to dive in and start your search without having to waste too much time visiting every single “WordPress theme” result.

Let me know in the comments, what you think is the most important thing a WordPress theme should include and why?