The features that everyone needs in a WordPress theme are some of the basics: the theme should be compatible with all the main browsers, display properly on differently-sized monitors, use web-safe fonts, and be checked for functionality, whether using the Theme Check plugin or by some other means. It should also be compatible with the latest version of WordPress. After that, “best” becomes a matter of what your plan to do with WordPress, and that point, matters of taste and purpose-specific functionality come into play.
One of the first things to consider is if you want a theme that’s ready to use or if you want to have a lot of input into how the theme displays. If the first, you’ll need to find a theme that meets your requirements from the get-go. If the second, you’ll need to find a theme with the flexibility and innate possibility to go where you want to go.
Another thing to consider is whether support and ongoing development are important to you. If not, you free yourself to look for free WordPress themes that you may have to provide your own fixes for should a problem arises. If so, you may choose to pay for a premium theme that the developer is invested in maintaining, upgrading, and supporting.
A further big question is whether you are looking for a theme to use in developing multiple websites, in which case, you want to be able to take off the original developers name and do your own thing with it. Thesis is an example of a theme that can be used in this way.
If you want only a single page blog vs. an ecommerce with with multiple categories vs. a site that contains a gallery of your photographs vs. a site that you plan to use for affiliate marketing and AdSense ads, you’re going to seek different qualities, looks, and features.
Where to Find the Best WordPress Themes
Since “best” is relative, looking for themes that meet your qualifications for best can be a challenge. Here are some tips:
- Look for WordPress sites that you admire. Then scroll down and find out what theme was used to design them.
- Visit collections of “best” or “high quality” themes offered by design sites that you trust. An example of a site that might meet your needs in this regard is Smashing Magazine http://www.smashingmagazine.com/2011/07/05/free-wordpress-themes-2011-edition/
- Go to the websites of designers whose work you admire and see what they’re offering.
- Go to sites that sell many different designer’s themes, like ThemeForest and look there: http://themeforest.net/
- Crowd source your design specs with a “contest” at a site like 99 Designs http://99designs.com/custom-wordpress-themes