10 Greatest WordPress Starter Themes for Builders to Use

Feeling overwhelmed by the sheer quantity of WordPress starter themes to select from? Belief us, you’re not the one one.

Discovering the right starter theme can generally really feel like trying to find a needle in a digital haystack, crammed with too many choices and too little steerage. That’s the place this text is useful.

As a developer, your time is effective. You don’t wish to compromise on flexibility, however neither are you able to afford to waste hours on a theme that’s tough to customise or has compatibility points. What’s extra, a poorly chosen theme could make or break your web site’s efficiency and person expertise.

This text is designed as a helpful information to navigate you thru WordPress starter themes. We’ve searched and narrowed it right down to the very best of the very best. With this information, you’ll be capable to discover a theme that not solely matches your particular wants but additionally amplifies your work, saving you time and potential complications.

Our Picks for the Greatest WordPress Starter Themes

What precisely makes a WordPress starter theme nice? The reply goes past mere aesthetics or reputation. Listed below are the components you shouldn’t compromise on.

• Clear Code Base: A terrific WordPress starter theme ought to have clear, well-organized code. This makes it simpler for builders to grasp, modify, and prolong.
• Customizability: The starter theme ought to will let you change layouts, colours, fonts, and different parts with no problem.
• Search engine optimisation-Pleasant: A top-notch starter theme will come Search engine optimisation-ready, adhering to finest practices that assist rank your web site.
• Responsive Design: The theme ought to look and work effectively on desktops, tablets, and cell gadgets.
• Robust Documentation: Detailed documentation is sort of a highway map for builders. It ought to information you on tips on how to take advantage of out of the theme’s options.
• Plugin Compatibility: The theme ought to play effectively with important WordPress plugins. That is essential for extending the performance of your web site.
• Efficiency: A quick-loading web site provides a greater person expertise. The starter theme needs to be optimized for pace, with out bloated code or pointless parts.

With these in thoughts, listed below are the finest WordPress starter themes so that you can select from.

1. Astra

Think about slicing your web site design time in half with out compromising on high quality. That’s what Astra provides.

Proper off the bat, Astra is a standout alternative relating to WordPress starter themes. It’s quick, light-weight, and boasts a excessive stage of customization, making it ideally suited for anybody getting into WordPress theme improvement.

With Astra, you’re getting a bundle that allows you to hit the bottom working, due to its library of pre-built web sites. These pixel-perfect templates function glorious beginning factors, successfully decreasing your design time.

Now, one of many challenges in internet improvement is commonly the coding half. Astra brilliantly sidesteps this subject with its “customise with out code” function. By means of the WordPress Customizer, you may alter the design to your liking, with no coding wanted.

Let’s pivot to structure and construction. Astra stands out for its compatibility with web page builders. You possibly can create full-width pages that really embody your design imaginative and prescient. You too can handle the structure settings for all the pieces—from the header and weblog to archives and footers. 

Advantages of Astra

• Astra is designed with accessibility in thoughts. It adheres to WCAG 2.0 requirements on the AA stage, which is crucial for user-friendliness
• Provides hooks and filters that builders will love
• Follows finest Search engine optimisation practices. It even consists of the important Schema.org markup wanted for optimum search engine efficiency
• Helps translation into a number of languages. It’s additionally prepared for right-to-left languages
• Works seamlessly with numerous web page builders like Beaver Builder, Elementor, SiteOrigin, Visible Composer, and Divi

Drawbacks of Astra

• Astra’s vary of options might be overwhelming at first
• Their buyer assist tends to decelerate on weekends

2. Sage

Sage is not any newcomer to the world of WordPress starter themes. With over 12 years of being actively maintained, this superior theme merges Tailwind CSS and Laravel Blade.

That’s lots of tech jargon, so let’s break it down. In essence, it’s a hybrid theme with block editor assist, designed for individuals who are severe about WordPress theme improvement.

So, what’s the large cope with Tailwind CSS? Nicely, Sage takes Tailwind and elevates it, automating the era of a theme.json file. This file configures the WordPress editor along with your pre-defined fonts, colours, and spacing.

Consequently, this makes it a lot simpler and quicker to develop a WordPress theme that’s constant and visually interesting.

However what for those who’re not a Tailwind fan? No worries! Sage is extremely versatile. You possibly can go for Bootstrap and even go with none CSS framework. It’s a minimal place to begin that’s ripe for personalisation, permitting you to make it as easy or as intricate as your challenge calls for.

Advantages of Sage

• Suitable with well-liked web page builders
• Makes use of the favored Blade templating engine, which helps to chop down on repetitive coding duties
• Comes with Bootstrap 4 as its default CSS framework
• Designed as a high-quality place to begin for skilled internet improvement tasks.
• Means that you can swap out Bootstrap for different frameworks like Foundations or Tailwind throughout set up

Drawbacks of Sage

• Sage comes with a studying curve, notably for these new to internet improvement

3. WP Rig

Should you’re a developer on the lookout for the final WordPress starter theme, your search ends with WP Rig.

This contemporary starter theme is designed that will help you create WordPress themes that aren’t simply lovely but additionally blazing quick. Furthermore, WP Rig meets the newest internet requirements, guaranteeing an thrilling person expertise on your viewers.

Now, let’s discuss code. You carry your PHP, CSS, and JavaScript abilities to the desk and WP Rig takes care of the remainder. It lists, optimizes, and minifies your code to maximise efficiency.

However WP Rig goes above and past a standard starter theme. Out of the field, it supplies a totally styled starter theme that prioritizes each efficiency and maintainability.

It’s a strong basis, that includes minimal templates and non-obligatory drag-and-drop recordsdata from the WordPress Template Hierarchy. Even higher, it’s optimized for contemporary efficiency requirements and comes with well-documented helper capabilities.

Advantages of WP Rig

• Suitable with the official AMP plugin that ensures mobile-optimized content material
• Your code is robotically minified for peak efficiency
• WP Rig consists of lazy loading of photos out of the field, bettering web page load pace
• Whereas you should use any editor, WP Rig is optimized for VS Code
• Takes care of code linting so that you don’t want exterior instruments

Drawbacks of WP Rig

• Could also be an excessive amount of for small or interest tasks as a consequence of its intensive function set
• Could be overwhelming for these new to WordPress theme improvement
• Its LinkedIn Studying programs are solely out there in English

4. JointsWP

Why begin from zero when JointsWP offers you a head begin in web site creation?

Constructed on Basis 6, JointsWP equips you with a toolset for crafting advanced, mobile-responsive web sites. You get a bunch of helpful options proper out of the gate: navigation menus, breadcrumbs, sliders, and a sidebar for latest posts.

This implies you’re not constructing a web site from the bottom up; you’re rushing towards the end line.

This theme delivers a responsive and mobile-friendly platform that’s able to go. Theme builders will discover this mix notably helpful. Better of all, you don’t even want a toddler theme to construct upon it, saving you that further step.

On the technical facet, JointsWP works effectively with Gulp. Should you’re into streamlining your workflow, this function helps you compile CSS, minify JS, and get issues performed effectively.

Advantages of JointsWP

• No want for a kid theme and accelerates the preliminary improvement course of
• Helps multilingual web site improvement, broadening your web site’s attain
• Its mobile-first method makes JointsWP ideally suited for contemporary, responsive design
• Lean design means quicker load occasions and no bloat from pointless capabilities
• The selection between Sass and CSS provides flexibility in styling

Drawbacks of JointsWP

• Unfamiliarity with the Basis framework can steepen the training curve
• Lack of built-in styling may very well be difficult for newcomers

5. Underscores

Underscores, or _s for brief, is a WordPress starter theme that’s something however primary. It’s the brainchild of the WordPress.com Theme Crew and goals to provide you a flying begin in WordPress theme improvement.

As a substitute of ranging from scratch, builders get entry to a well-commented, HTML5 template base. This cuts down the grunt work, letting theme builders concentrate on what they do finest: crafting distinctive, useful, and crowd pleasing layouts.

This theme was born out of necessity. Its predecessor, the Toolbox theme, was good however had limitations. Underscores took all the pieces good about Toolbox and elevated it.

The theme consists of trendy coding requirements and stuff you’ll doubtless want in each challenge, like a 404 template and keyboard navigation for picture attachments.

So, it’s continually evolving but additionally respects the wealthy heritage of WordPress themes. The theme even incorporates parts from legendary themes like Kubrick, Thematic, and the Twenty sequence.

Advantages of Underscores

• Provides a correct folder construction that aids in environment friendly challenge administration
• Its well-documented code makes it simpler for builders to grasp and modify
• Offers non-obligatory Sass construction that provides builders higher styling flexibility
• It comes with important templates like header, footer, single, and archive pages
• Being a free useful resource, it provides excessive worth for zero funding

Drawbacks of Underscores

• The preliminary setup of Underscores yields a really primary look
• Requires abilities in HTML, CSS, PHP, and probably JavaScript, making it much less appropriate for newcomers
• It will not be the best choice for low-budget tasks that require a fast, polished end result

6. Tonik

Tonik is a starter theme for WordPress that addresses the chaos usually seen in theme improvement. Constructed with superior options, it makes web site creation a breeze.

You’ll discover SASS and CSS frameworks that simplify styling, together with PHP namespaces that up the sport for code readability. Tonik robotically masses any little one themes you layer on it, centralizing the configuration for a smoother improvement course of.

Geared toward skilled builders, Tonik requires a strong understanding of PHP, WordPress, and trendy internet instruments like Composer, NPM, or Webpack. The theme embraces superior improvement ideas, making it a really perfect match for tasks that can see steady improvement.

Tonik is targeted on serving to you create superior WordPress-powered web sites which are straightforward to handle. With clear documentation to information you, it guarantees a piece setting that your improvement crew will love.

Whereas it takes some prep work to arrange, the streamlined processes and trendy options make it definitely worth the effort.

With higher group and readable code buildings, Tonik is a WordPress theme developer’s dream for long-term tasks.

Advantages of Tonik

• Provides enhanced templating
• Webpack integration simplifies the method of managing and optimizing numerous asset recordsdata
• Makes it simpler to increase or modify WordPress performance
• PHP Namespaces assist keep away from code conflicts
• Simple to handle and implement little one themes

Drawbacks of Tonik

• Could also be an excessive amount of for single builders or small groups
• Not fitted to informal or hobbyist tasks as a consequence of its superior options and improvement necessities

7. Beans

Should you’re on the lookout for a WordPress-based theme that provides a mix of energy and suppleness, look no additional than Beans.

This light-weight theme packs a powerful punch, delivering unbelievable pace with out sacrificing performance. Below its hood lies the magic of adaptive content material and pictures, making your web site not simply mobile-friendly however a visible delight throughout all gadgets.

Beans isn’t simply quick; it’s constructed to be Search engine optimisation-friendly too. With its semantic coding and fast loading time, it goals to spice up your web site’s Google rankings. Basically, you concentrate on creating stellar content material, and Beans will assist catapult you into the search outcomes.

By way of tech, Beans is constructed on UIkit, a top-tier front-end framework. The theme additional streamlines your improvement course of by permitting you to load solely the parts you want on a per-page foundation.

This method retains your web site quick and ensures that customers get the very best expertise potential. It’s a dream come true for anybody severe about optimizing efficiency.

Advantages of Beans

• Provides steady updates with a single click on
• Constructed on the newest applied sciences like LESS, CSS3, HTML5, and jQuery. It provides a contemporary basis with out sacrificing stability
• Adheres strictly to WordPress requirements
• Extremely customizable
• Works easily with many plugins

Drawbacks of Beans

• Requires a very good understanding of WordPress improvement

8. Quark

With regards to crafting a singular on-line expertise, Quark serves as a simple and trendy WordPress starter theme. With its basis in HTML5 and CSS3, Quark goals for simplicity with out sacrificing magnificence.

Not like many different advanced frameworks, this WordPress-based theme takes its cues from Underscores (_s) and TwentyTwelve themes. Meaning it’s not simply versatile; it’s additionally very straightforward to customise.

The clear code is adorned with simply the appropriate variety of feedback, making your enhancing journey easy.

With Quark, there’s no strict requirement to create a toddler theme. You possibly can dive straight into the code and tailor it to suit your subsequent exceptional challenge.

What’s extra, the theme makes use of Normalize and Modernizr. These instruments guarantee constant browser rendering and the detection of HTML5 and CSS3 capabilities.

However that’s not all. The theme employs a box-sizing:border-box mannequin for an intuitive structure. It additionally comes with pre-set customized media question breakpoints. This ensures your web site will look good on smaller gadgets, though you may tweak these settings to higher fit your design.

Advantages of Quark

• WooCommerce appropriate
• Multilingual Prepared (WPML). It even comes translated into Spanish, German, and French
• Quark’s 12-column grid structure is each responsive and versatile
• Over 300 retina-friendly icons are included
• Choices Framework permits for straightforward customization of theme choices

Drawbacks of Quark

• Won’t be appropriate for tasks requiring a extra complete bundle of instruments and plugins
• The absence of bundled instruments and plugins might require further time for setup and configuration

9. Responsive

Responsive is a versatile WordPress starter theme that’s far more than simply “responsive.” It’s a quick, light-weight choice for anybody diving into WordPress theme improvement.

Providing over 100 free Elementor and WordPress Block templates, it’s a one-stop store for all of your web site wants. Whether or not you’re working a weblog, an eCommerce web site, and even a web-based course, this theme has obtained you lined.

However the actual magic lies in its ease of customization. Due to a user-friendly drag-and-drop interface, even WordPress newbies could make their web site look skilled. That is notably helpful for individuals who wish to focus extra on content material and fewer on wrestling with sophisticated codes.

The theme can also be appropriate with all the favored web page builders like Elementor, Beaver Builder, and Divi, supplying you with limitless potentialities for structure and design.

So far as Search engine optimisation is anxious, Responsive helps Schema.org microdata. It ensures that your web site doesn’t simply look good but additionally performs effectively in search engine rankings. Mix this with its quick loading speeds, and also you’ve obtained a theme that’s each person and search-engine pleasant.

Advantages of Responsive

• Its quick pace ensures a greater person expertise
• Your web site appears to be like good on all gadgets
• Stunning fonts improve the aesthetic enchantment of your web site
• Provides limitless colours to select from
• WooCommerce built-in

Drawbacks of Responsive

• The free model provides primary options and assist wanted for skilled or large-scale tasks
• As a median mum or dad theme, its functionalities can nonetheless be improved upon for higher efficiency

10. Understrap

Cut back your web site improvement time considerably with Understrap, the all-in-one WordPress theme for builders.

Understrap is a one-of-a-kind starter theme, designed with builders in thoughts. It merges the favored starter theme Underscores with Bootstrap’s CSS framework.

This mix means you don’t must fiddle with downloading and merging completely different assets. Consequently, it slashes the time it takes to customise and get a web site up and working.

What units Understrap aside is the mixing of two worlds—open supply {and professional} backing. Whereas the theme offers you the liberty and suppleness inherent to open-source tasks, it additionally provides stability.

Not like some open-source tasks which will lack assist, Understrap ensures that you’ve got a devoted improvement crew at your beck and name.

Advantages of Understrap

• Can function a mum or dad theme or be a base for little one themes
• Constructed on the newest Bootstrap 5
• Inherits all options from the respected Underscores theme
• Helps a number of languages as it’s translation-ready
• Excessive compatibility with all main plugins

Drawbacks of Understrap

• Calls for a excessive stage of WordPress improvement experience

FAQs About WordPress Starter Themes

Select The Proper WordPress Starter Theme For Your Wants

Internet improvement is at all times evolving. But, WordPress retains shining because the go-to platform for web site creation. For builders, selecting the best WordPress starter theme can considerably streamline the journey from a easy thought to a totally functioning web site.

Every theme comes with its distinctive benefits and limitations. So, it’s important to search out one which aligns effectively along with your challenge’s particular necessities and your technical experience. Somewhat than settling for simply any theme, go for one which enhances your workflow and makes your life simpler.

Your ideally suited WordPress starter theme is on the market, prepared to assist rework your inventive imaginative and prescient right into a digital actuality. So, why wait? Make an knowledgeable alternative and begin constructing your dream web site as we speak!