[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.20.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.20.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.20.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Introduction” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n
If your agency offers website services, you\u2019re familiar with the delicate balance between optimizing pricing, the speed of website design and development, and the customization of client projects. When it comes to building websites on WordPress, themes and templates can help provide this balance: since you don\u2019t have to build every project from scratch, you can reduce project costs, speed up the design process<\/a>, and still provide a unique, on-brand finished product.<\/p>\n However, while themes and templates may seem interchangeable, they have distinct differences<\/a> that can impact everything from your workflow to the look of your websites. In this article, we’ll lay out the pros and cons of both options to determine once and for all if themes vs. templates in WordPress are better. Whether you’re a seasoned WordPress developer or newer to the space, read on to learn more about these useful resources.<\/p>\n divi_library_layout id=”112798″]<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”What\u2019s a WordPress theme?” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n A WordPress theme is a pre-designed set of files, styles, and layouts that determine the overall appearance and structure of any website created using that theme. Imagine you\u2019re building a house. You\u2019d start with an architectural blueprint for the new build, defining the overall structure, style, and appearance. This blueprint sets the foundation and parameters for the entire structure, from the color scheme to the materials used. A WordPress theme serves a similar function for a new website.<\/p>\n As the blueprint, a theme defines a website\u2019s design, colors, typography, navigation, and other visual elements, as well as how these come together to create a cohesive look and user experience. Themes can be customized to suit your client\u2019s brand identity<\/a> and the required functionality of the site. For example, a theme might define how five primary and secondary brand colors are used throughout the design. A designer can define those colors to align with their client\u2019s brand guide, and where the colors appear on the site would be defined by the theme.<\/p>\n If you\u2019ve done any digging for WordPress themes, you\u2019ll know that there are endless options available, both free and premium, catering to various verticals and design preferences. You can find these in the official WordPress Theme Directory, in third-party marketplaces, or included with popular website builders.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”What\u2019s a WordPress template?” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n A WordPress template is a single file, often within a theme, that controls the layout and design of a specific page or a group of pages on your website. Let\u2019s return to our house-building analogy for a moment: if themes are the architectural blueprint, templates are the interior designer\u2019s plan for each individual room in the house. These plans specify the decor, arrangement, and function of each room, like where the windows and doors are located, the placement of furniture, and the type of flooring. When it comes to building WordPress sites<\/a>, templates give more granular control of the structure and design of individual pages or subsections of pages.<\/p>\n WordPress templates are created using a combination of PHP, HTML, and CSS code, and are usually included in WordPress themes. Specialized templates can be found online for custom post types, archives, search results, and just about any other section you can dream up. More advanced designers can also create custom templates by editing the theme’s PHP files or using a child theme.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”What is the difference between themes and templates in WordPress” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n Themes vs templates in WordPress serve different but complementary roles in shaping the design and layout of your websites. Themes provide the framework and appearance, while templates allow for more precise control over individual pages or sections. By understanding the distinctions between these two elements, you’ll be better equipped to easily create websites<\/a> that your clients will love.<\/p>\n Themes can be used to define the overall design and structure of a website, saving the time and resources it would take to build the structure from scratch. They also determine the colors, typography, and layout, helping to pout a business\u2019s brand guide to action. In doing so, they create a cohesive experience for users as they navigate the site. Themes:<\/p>\n Templates zoom in further than themes by offering granular control over how specific sections of a site look, feel, and function. If a change is made to a theme, it will affect the whole website by definition. However, if a change is made to a template, it will only impact the part of the site where that template is being used. Templates:<\/p>\n If using WordPress directly, themes can be customized using WordPress\u2019s native Customizer<\/a>, or by changing the theme\u2019s options. If using a WordPress website builder<\/a>, changes can be made within the builder by changing the universal settings for the theme.<\/p>\n Regardless of how you go about building a WordPress site, theme customizations will apply to the entire website<\/em>. For example, changing the fonts assigned to H1 and H2 headings will change the appearance of those headings site-wide.<\/p>\n Customizing WordPress themes is quite user-friendly, and can be done without much (or any) coding knowledge, depending on the extent of the customization.<\/p>\n On the other hand, WordPress templates are not as easily customizable as themes. Since they are created using PHP, HTML, and CSS code, customizing them requires editing this code. When templates are customized, those changes only apply to the part of the site where the template is being used.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”What do users think?” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n Before getting into the debate about using themes vs. templates in WordPress, let\u2019s clarify one important point: when building a WordPress website, a theme must<\/em> be installed. To get rid of a theme, users need to change themes in WordPress rather than deleting them altogether. Web design<\/a> agencies have a choice between:<\/p>\n So, which option is better? It largely comes down to factors like budget, customization preferences, and maintenance requirements, all of which we\u2019ll cover in just a moment.<\/p>\n Given an unlimited budget and time, the most customizable option will be to build everything, including the theme and templates, from scratch. Web developers who specialize in completely custom sites tend to fall on the build-it-yourself side of the fence. Their arguments are that by creating a completely custom theme, they can offer more robust customization, limit the use of clunky plug-ins, and provide total control over all aspects of the site.<\/p>\n However, we\u2019re willing to bet that most of your web client projects<\/a> don\u2019t come with the luxury of unlimited funds and time. In that case, agencies offering web design services<\/a> often prefer to strike a balance by starting projects with highly customizable themes that include<\/em> well-designed templates. This way, it\u2019s possible to create a custom-feeling website for every client, without actually building each site from the ground up.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”Pros and cons of using WordPress themes” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n When selecting a theme, designers and developers should consider factors like compatibility with your desired plugins, responsiveness for different devices and screen resolutions, and the availability of support and updates from the theme’s developer.<\/p>\n Themes usually offer a live preview feature, so it\u2019s easy to test how it looks and functions before committing to a theme. Let\u2019s dig into some benefits and drawbacks of using WordPress themes.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”Pros and cons of using WordPress templates” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n WordPress templates provide flexibility and control over the design<\/a> and layout of individual pages on a website, which can help you deliver websites that meet your clients\u2019 briefs. However, they also come with their own set of challenges. Let\u2019s take a look at the pros and cons of WordPress templates:<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”Key considerations” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n Every web design project you quote on is unique. Rather than having a one-size-fits-all approach to your use of themes, templates, and combinations of the two, it\u2019s better to know the difference between WordPress themes and templates, along with key considerations when deciding how each project will be created.<\/p>\n Costs can vary dramatically for both themes and templates. Theme costs broadly fall into three price ranges:<\/p>\n The cost of templates depends on the type of template being used:<\/p>\n Since templates offer a higher degree of granular customization, they are more likely to be part of the mix when building client websites that have specific requirements that can\u2019t be produced within the constraints of a theme. Alternatively, drag-and-drop page builders can offer this high degree of customization without the need to purchase templates.<\/p>\n However, for many websites, the customization available with themes is more than enough to create a website that meets all the required specs. It all comes down to your client\u2019s requirements, and you can always test their WordPress site<\/a> to see which option is best.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”Theme vs template in WordPress: How to choose” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n The best choice between themes and templates, or a combination of the two, depends on a number of variables:<\/p>\nWhat\u2019s a WordPress theme?<\/h2>\n
What\u2019s a WordPress template?<\/h2>\n
What is the difference between themes and templates in WordPress<\/h2>\n
Comparing the function and scope of themes vs. templates in WordPress<\/h3>\n
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Comparing customization of themes vs. templates in WordPress<\/h3>\n
What do users think?<\/h2>\n
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Pros and cons of using WordPress themes<\/h2>\n
Pros<\/h3>\n
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Cons<\/h3>\n
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Pros and cons of using WordPress templates<\/h2>\n
Pros<\/h3>\n
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Cons<\/h3>\n
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Key considerations<\/h2>\n
Costs<\/h3>\n
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Customization options<\/h3>\n
Theme vs template in WordPress: How to choose<\/h2>\n