A website theme can be found in many different forms and places, and it important to research where they come from and what features they can provide. There are multiple sources that can be used to find themes, including directly from the WordPress database. There are other places you can find them, like outsourcing developers and doing the proper research to find smaller or more trusted sources. It is important to consider the credibility, customizable options, and user reviews before deciding to install a theme.
When using a theme, they come with files that must be valid for WordPress. It is important to the theme structure to have a “style.css” file and “index.php” file. These files are the only required files for themes in WordPress, but additional files are likely to be included. A screenshot of the thumbnail is usually included with a “.png” format to give a preview of the theme when browsing. There will be an images directory that inhabits all the pictures necessary for the theme. Other files such as “functions.php”, “header.php”, and “footer.php” are used to complete the theme and contribute to the overall layout.
In my theme matrix, I focused on design, as my website is focused on creativity. When the specialty of this website is to give insight to the photo and video editing worlds, showing prowess in visually appealing media is eye-catching to young editors. My main criteria in my decision matrix, however, was credibility. The website itself is holding itself to a standard of being reputable, so I strive to be that way in all facets of creation. I searched through reviews, star ratings, even videos about WordPress themes. Secondly, the theme needed to be customizable and have an extensive HTML elements attribute, as those were necessary to creating visually appealing themes. Being able to utilize the block editor to its potential, and promote customization in every form was crucial for my choice of theme.
I installed this theme through the wp-admin method as it was within the WordPress system. There were no other steps or requirements for installing this theme, however I can customize at any time. I have not fully explored the options this theme provides, but I am more than willing to dive into the unique optimization.