Checklist to choose a perfect WordPress theme

Previously, we gave a basic primer on how to choose the right WordPress theme ; after reading the article, probably you have selected the “could be mine” candidates; to filter among them, we are providing a thorough details those are need to be checked, before selecting a WordPress theme.

 

Which template files are present in your theme?

WordPress supports a number of templates in one theme and in addition, they have diverse functions extend through them.
Despite this, and just because one uses WordPress in a wide range of requirements, it is necessary to think in advance about the necessary templates. Is it only the <span style="background-color: #e9eef3; font-color: #000000 font-size; font-family: Arial,Tahoma,Verdana; text-shadow: #fff 1px 1px;">index.php</span> which is absolutely needed. Our recommendation is, however, use at least having these:
<span style="background-color: #e9eef3; font-color: #000000 font-size; font-family: Arial,Tahoma,Verdana; text-shadow: #fff 1px 1px;">index.php</span>
<span style="background-color: #e9eef3; font-color: #000000 font-size; font-family: Arial,Tahoma,Verdana; text-shadow: #fff 1px 1px;">header.php</span>
<span style="background-color: #e9eef3; font-color: #000000 font-size; font-family: Arial,Tahoma,Verdana; text-shadow: #fff 1px 1px;">footer.php</span> – If there is a footer area.
<span style="background-color: #e9eef3; font-color: #000000 font-size; font-family: Arial,Tahoma,Verdana; text-shadow: #fff 1px 1px;">sidebar.php</span> – Only if it is also an extra field, the template would match this.
<span style="background-color: #e9eef3; font-color: #000000 font-size; font-family: Arial,Tahoma,Verdana; text-shadow: #fff 1px 1px;">single.php</span> – intended to represent an alternative to the home page will be created, then this obligation Template
<span style="background-color: #e9eef3; font-color: #000000 font-size; font-family: Arial,Tahoma,Verdana; text-shadow: #fff 1px 1px;">page.php</span> – Will it be static pages, and these differ from the presentation using the index php file.

Does the stylesheet includes comments?

 

WordPress requires a <span style="background-color: #e9eef3; font-color: #000000 font-size; font-family: Arial,Tahoma,Verdana; text-shadow: #fff 1px 1px;">style.css</span> file. Without this file, including the following comments, WordPress may not recognize the theme and use it.
This file can gladly refer to other style sheet files, they can be in folders, which then are the actual instructions for the style sheet.

 

Are there hooks in the theme?

 

A number of plugins and WordPress itself takes on the hooks in your theme. There are three hooks that can be regarded as a minimum in the theme.
In the <span style="background-color: #e9eef3; font-color: #000000 font-size; font-family: Arial,Tahoma,Verdana; text-shadow: #fff 1px 1px;">header.php</span> or <span style="background-color: #e9eef3; font-color: #000000 font-size; font-family: Arial,Tahoma,Verdana; text-shadow: #fff 1px 1px;">index.php</span> , depending on the structure of the theme, includes: <span style="background-color: #e9eef3; font-color: #000000 font-size; font-family: Arial,Tahoma,Verdana; text-shadow: #fff 1px 1px;">wp_head();</span> . The hook must be in the head section, preferably directly above the closing head tags:

&lt;?php wp_head(); ?&gt;

Similarly, there should be a hook in the footer section of the website. Therefore a case for the implementation in the <span style="background-color: #e9eef3; font-color: #000000 font-size; font-family: Arial,Tahoma,Verdana; text-shadow: #fff 1px 1px;">footer.php</span> or <span style="background-color: #e9eef3; font-color: #000000 font-size; font-family: Arial,Tahoma,Verdana; text-shadow: #fff 1px 1px;">index.php</span> on when there is no <span style="background-color: #e9eef3; font-color: #000000 font-size; font-family: Arial,Tahoma,Verdana; text-shadow: #fff 1px 1px;">footer.php</span> is present there.
Depending on what is implemented by Hook, it is advisable to have the hook within the layout:

&lt;?php wp_footer(); ?&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/body&gt; &lt;/html&gt;

The third hook is needed within the comment, so it is only necessary when there is this possibility. This is clear, however, usually through the implementation of the comment and the opportunity to use <span style="background-color: #e9eef3; font-color: #000000 font-size; font-family: Arial,Tahoma,Verdana; text-shadow: #fff 1px 1px;">comments.php</span> . Here refers only to note, the theme of the possibility of the comments ( <span style="background-color: #e9eef3; font-color: #000000 font-size; font-family: Arial,Tahoma,Verdana; text-shadow: #fff 1px 1px;">comments_template();</span> ) and the <span style="background-color: #e9eef3; font-color: #000000 font-size; font-family: Arial,Tahoma,Verdana; text-shadow: #fff 1px 1px;">comments.php</span>is not present, then it is the default theme drawn from!
So if there is the possibility of the comments, then the hook is <span style="background-color: #e9eef3; font-color: #000000 font-size; font-family: Arial,Tahoma,Verdana; text-shadow: #fff 1px 1px;">do_action('comment_form', $post-&gt;ID);</span>.

There may be more, but they are plugins made available and there are also documented and the author of the plugin.

 

Is search available?

 

Users have become used to a search function is available almost all websites. Not always but advisable. If one uses WordPress as a small CMS, whether reasonable or not is not the issue, then the search is not always appropriate or the target group would present a challenge.

Therefore, there is, consider whether the search is a value for the customer. Can you answer that question is yes, then integrate the search and also they do not hide from the user.

It is recommended that you then also a custom search template, the search.php , and used this issue in search of useful supplies the content.

Alternatively, another search option should be available via widgets option.

 

Is the Theme widgetized?

 

In WordPress there is a way to integrate new functions into the surface without having to manually intervene in the code of a template file anymore. The activation and positioning is done by drag and drop. This helps the user to customize the sidebar to your own requirements enormous. This technology is called a widget. Basically, the syntax is in the <span style="background-color: #e9eef3; font-color: #000000 font-size; font-family: Arial,Tahoma,Verdana; text-shadow: #fff 1px 1px;">sidebar.php</span> file. Also, you should find appropriate CSS style in the <span style="background-color: #e9eef3; font-color: #000000 font-size; font-family: Arial,Tahoma,Verdana; text-shadow: #fff 1px 1px;">style.css</span> file.

 

Plugins are compatible or integrated?

 

Many functions and the resulting value will be realized with the help of plugins. If you do this, then it is imperative that the theme reviewed each function in the run for existence. Otherwise, there may be problems, for example, if the plugin is not active or when you update the function name changes.

As we have said in our previous article, a good hand coded theme would have support for almost all WordPress plugins.

 

Valid, readable markup and CSS

 

Even for WordPress Themes are of rich lines, web standards valid code start with W3C. The testing of the theme is essential.
Good design is certainly important, but so clean and clear markup is part of the theme. By this we mean not only that the validator reports no errors, but also clear, structured and readable markup in the templates. Remember, the code can be read by anyone who has access to the theme. Any reasonably experienced user knows how one can read the code.
If the theme may be available for download, then it is more important and makes the following job a lot more enjoyable.
If the issue in your language to meet web standards, lack of understanding, then use the Web search and learn. It is really beyond our capability to write on this.

 

Browser testing?

 

Without starting a discussion, the test is on different systems in different browsers is must for a good theme. Everyone likes about browser support have a different view, a minimum of browsers should be supported are: Mozilla Firefox, Internet Explorer, Safari and Opera.

If you move in a corporate setting or intranets, the selection can certainly be different than if a theme for the community or a customer on the Web.
If you create a theme by the rules of Web standards, then you are certainly right on the road. But this is not always sufficient, as so many browsers do not understand.

As a useful tool to have Web services such as <span style="background-color: #e9eef3; font-color: #000000 font-size; font-family: Arial,Tahoma,Verdana; text-shadow: #fff 1px 1px;">browsershots.org</span> and various installations of different browsers proven. In order to test the major problem area, the IETester can recommend it.

 

Support for trackbacks?

 

If the Theme support trackbacks, there is Loop, in endwhile , commented out for HTML:

&lt;!-- &lt;?php trackback_rdf(); ?&gt; --&gt;

This statement is not required when referred to elsewhere in the templates on trackbacks. However, it is necessary if there is no Trackback output to the template.

 

Does have basic SEO function?

 

Minor SEO functions like noindex for categories, tags, providing a field to enter the meta should be included in premium (or paid) themes. Practically, there are themes those need no use of extra SEO plugin (like All in one SEO pack or Platinum SEO pack), thereby can save space. However, most people even with these themes get anxious and uses the extra SEO plugins (may be think, they themselves give a boost). SEO plugin actually adds the metas, defines 404 pages, adds noindex to Tags, categories etc. Also, you can always stop the theme’s SEO function (method differs from brand to brand) too.

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