Choose a WordPress theme by testing, not by demo. Compare block and classic themes, sources, speed, accessibility, RTL support, WooCommerce, builder lock-in and licence terms on a staging copy.
How to choose a WordPress theme comes down to a few decisions made before you install anything: block theme or classic, where the theme comes from, and whether it passes your checks for speed, accessibility, mobile layout, right-to-left (RTL) support, WooCommerce and licence terms. Test a shortlist on a copy of your site, never the live one. The facts below were checked against WordPress.org documentation in October 2026.
In short
WordPress's theme handbook describes two main types. A block theme is built entirely from blocks and HTML block templates, and the handbook calls it the modern method of building themes. A classic theme uses PHP templates, which are still supported. A hybrid theme is a classic theme with some block features, a community term rather than an official type.
| Block theme | Classic theme | |
|---|---|---|
| Edited with | The Site Editor: templates, template parts, Styles | PHP template files and the Customizer |
| Menus and widgets | The Navigation block; blocks instead of widgets | Appearance > Menus and widget areas |
| Customizer | Hidden unless a plugin or the theme needs it | Available if the theme supports it |
| Site Editor | Available | Not available |
WordPress does not rank one type above the other. Its block themes article says block themes suit people who enjoy the block editor and want control over every part of a site, while a classic theme can fit better when your developer, builder or plugins depend on PHP templates or the Customizer. To browse block themes, open Appearance > Themes > Add New and select Block Themes.
| Source | Who checks it | Support and updates |
|---|---|---|
| WordPress.org directory | The Themes team reviews every theme | Free; updates in the dashboard; support via the theme's forum |
| Marketplaces and theme shops | The seller, and the marketplace if it reviews releases | Set by the licence |
| Bespoke (custom) theme | The developer or agency | Whatever your agreement says |
The theme directory is the official source. Its review guidelines require GPL-compatible licensing, opt-in tracking and no obtrusive upselling, and they keep SEO, analytics, forms and custom post types in plugins, which limits lock-in. For a commercial theme the review is the seller's own, so read how long support and updates last and what happens if you do not renew. DevMarket lists WordPress themes (browse WordPress themes); each item shows its support period and update policy, and releases are checked before publishing, which is a different check from the WordPress.org review, so test every theme yourself. For a bespoke theme, agree in writing who owns the code and who applies updates.
Use a staging copy and your own content, because demos are built to look good.
Run Lighthouse in Chrome DevTools, or PageSpeed Insights, on a staging page, mobile first. It audits performance, accessibility, best practices and SEO. Note what the theme loads on every page: sliders, icon libraries, fonts, bundled builders. Our speed guide explains which numbers to read.
The directory's accessibility-ready tag means a manual review passed, but WordPress.org calls it a minimum standard that does not mean WCAG AA. Press Tab through the menu and buttons, look for a visible focus outline, check contrast, then use the site on a real phone.
Right-to-left languages need mirrored styles, not just right-aligned text. In the directory, use the RTL language support tag; for other themes, look for an RTL stylesheet in the listing, then switch staging to Arabic and open every page type. For example, the FreshBasket grocery theme is listed as a WooCommerce theme with RTL support. See the RTL checklist and the guide to building an Arabic WordPress website.
Test archive, product, cart, checkout and My account pages. WooCommerce says the Cart and Checkout blocks are the default for stores started after WooCommerce 8.3: with a block theme you edit them in the Site Editor, with a classic theme under Pages. Themes may also override WooCommerce templates. WooCommerce's template guide warns that core templates update but overrides do not, and the System Status report (WooCommerce > Status) flags outdated ones. The guide to testing a WooCommerce theme covers the full shopping journey.
Some themes rely on a page builder or bundled plugins that store layouts in their own format, whereas directory themes may not include things like custom post types or shortcodes. For other themes, ask what happens to your pages if the theme or builder is removed, and try it on staging. This is a general risk, not a WordPress.org rule.
A directory theme page shows the last updated date, active installations, required WordPress and PHP versions, ratings and a support forum link. Compare the versions with your host: as of October 2026 WordPress.org lists PHP 8.3 or greater, MariaDB 10.11 or greater or MySQL 8.0 or greater, and HTTPS. WordPress.org's position is that themes inherit the GPL, so a paid theme usually sells support and updates. DevMarket's Regular and Extended licences are on the licences page; this is not legal advice.
A child theme extends a parent so the parent can be updated without losing your changes. It needs a style.css whose header has a Template line matching the parent's folder name, and the handbook warns against copying the parent's functions.php code into it, because duplicate function names cause fatal errors. Use one for code, templates or WooCommerce template overrides. Customizer settings need none: WordPress's documentation says they are preserved when theme files update.
Back up before you switch
Take a full backup of files and database, and make the first switch on a staging copy.
| What | Carries over? | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Posts, pages, media, comments, WooCommerce products and orders | Yes | Check pages that use theme-specific shortcodes or blocks |
| Customizer settings, Additional CSS | No, they belong to the old theme | Note the settings and copy the CSS first |
| Menus and widgets | Menus stay; locations and widget areas belong to each theme | Reassign menus, check Appearance > Widgets |
| Site Editor edits, builder layouts, theme shortcodes | Often not | Export or test on staging first |
| # | Check | Pass when |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Type | You know if it is block, classic or hybrid, and who edits what |
| 2 | Source | Directory, a reachable seller, or a developer with a written agreement |
| 3 | Requirements | Its PHP and WordPress versions match your host |
| 4 | Speed | Lighthouse on mobile is acceptable with your content |
| 5 | Accessibility | Keyboard use, focus and contrast are fine |
| 6 | Mobile layout | Menu, forms and checkout work on a real phone |
| 7 | RTL | Pages mirror correctly in Arabic, if you need it |
| 8 | WooCommerce | Shop pages and checkout pass a test order |
| 9 | Lock-in | You know what happens to content if the theme or builder goes |
| 10 | Support and licence | Terms are written down; no nulled copy |
Often yes. Directory themes are reviewed against WordPress.org's guidelines. Pay for a theme when it offers something you can name, such as a shop layout, and read its support terms first.
WordPress documentation calls block themes the modern method, but classic themes are still supported. Choose the type your team can maintain and your plugins support.
Posts, pages and products stay. Theme settings, menus, widgets and builder layouts may not, so switch on staging first.
None is best for every shop. Compare two or three on your own products, with a test order, then pick the one that passes.
Shortlist two or three themes and run the checklist on staging. Keep the winner updated with the WordPress maintenance checklist, and browse WordPress themes or WooCommerce themes on DevMarket.
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