Today, I selected a WordPress theme. After repeatedly installing and uninstalling various themes, I realized that certain functions depend on the specific theme being used. For example, the Penscratch theme does not provide a sidebar function on the homepage.
Of course, after several attempts, I found that it is possible to implement a sidebar using a child theme called Penscratch-child, but it wasn't an easy task (especially for someone like me who is not familiar with WordPress).
In conclusion, I think the right approach is to first identify the elements you want to implement, and then directly test whether the theme can support those features to find the one that fits your needs. In my case, I didn’t have a clear idea of the necessary functions when I started, so I had to learn as I went, which was quite exhausting. After several trial and error experiences, I managed to organize the necessary features as follows:
1. The ability to adjust the screen width (in short, a wide screen)
2. The ability to use the sidebar function on the homepage (in short, a sidebar)
3. The ability to modify the layout size (in short, layout resizing)
I tested the themes based on these minimal requirements. After testing many themes, I chose those that were most frequently mentioned on Reddit and ChatGPT.
1. GeneratePress
First, in GeneratePress, which is widely used, only the sidebar function was available among the three mentioned conditions. The other two conditions were not met. A notable downside was the lack of customization settings. It’s essentially a theme suited only for basic writing, with little room for customization.
2. OceanWP
Like GeneratePress, this theme is also widely used. It met all three conditions but was not very user-friendly, as many settings for customization were presented in text rather than images. As a result, it didn’t make it into my final selection.
3. Astra
Astra might be the most widely used theme on WordPress. However, many functions in the free version were limited, requiring a paid upgrade to unlock its full potential. While the settings interface was user-friendly, I was disappointed that both wide screen and layout resizing options were only available in the paid version.
4. Neve
This was the theme I considered up until the last minute. It seemed like I could implement a unique design using the latest post-focused layout and cover features. However, the inability to adjust the content layout size while testing the Neve theme was a significant drawback.
5. Kadence
This was a theme recommended by users on Reddit and the one I ultimately chose. The best part is that while the other themes required a paid plan for advanced features, Kadence offers most of them in the free version. Additionally, like Astra, it has a user-friendly environment for customization, which led me to select it. If I do end up purchasing a paid plan in the future, I think I’ll go with Kadence.
What I did today
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