WORDPRESS THEMES

General Information & Basics:
https://www.wpbeginner.com/beginners-guide/how-to-install-a-wordpress-theme/

1. How many themes can I use in WordPress?
   You can only use one theme at a time. However, you can install as many themes as you like. Not all installed themes on your WordPress website are active. As soon as you activate a WordPress theme, it automatically deactivates your previous active theme and makes the new theme your active theme.
2. What is a child theme in WordPress?
   A child theme in WordPress is a sub-theme that inherits all the functionality, features, and style of its parent theme. You will need to install both parent and child themes on your website and activate the child theme. For more details, see our guide on how to create a child theme in WordPress and how to install a child theme in WordPress.
3. What is a WordPress theme framework?
   Theme frameworks are highly optimized WordPress themes designed to be used as parent theme. Intended for advanced users and developers, these theme frameworks contain several code and speed optimizations that help other developers quickly build upon them. Genesis by StudioPress is the best example of a WordPress theme framework. For more information, see our article on WordPress theme frameworks.
4. Premium vs Free themes – Which one I should use?
   If you are just starting out on a limited budget, then we recommend getting started with a flexible free theme. See our pick of the best free WordPress themes for blogs and best free themes for business websites. If you can spend a little more, then choose a premium theme. These themes come with priority support which comes in handy particularly for beginners. For more on this topic, see our guide on free vs premium WordPress themes.
5. How do I choose the best theme for my website?
   There are so many WordPress themes out there and most of them are designed by professionals so they look really great. This makes it a bit confusing for beginners to choose the perfect theme for their website. We recommend keeping it simple. Choose a minimalist design that comes close to what you have in your mind. Make sure that the theme looks great on mobile and run a website speed test on the demo site. See our beginner’s guide on how to choose the perfect WordPress theme for your website.
6. Can I use the same theme I have seen on another WordPress site?
   If it is not a custom WordPress theme that is specific for that site and not intented for selling, then yes you can typically find and use the same theme on your own website.
7. What about Custom CSS? Are themes even necessary?
   This is a great question with the direction of WordPress, drag & drop builders, and especially with CSS… Technically with enough CSS skills, you can create nearly any type of look & feel/theme just by applying your own CSS to a basic theme… This is a whole different approach to WordPress website development, and may even give you more control over what you want to create…

How to Install – and Set Up – a New WordPress Theme:
https://winningwp.com/how-to-install-and-set-up-a-new-wordpress-theme/

20+ Important Things To Do After Installing WordPress:
https://artisanthemes.io/20-important-things-after-installing-wordpress/

UPDATING WORDPRESS

Regularly updating WordPress, themes, and plugins is essential for maintaining a secure, stable, and functional website. However, it’s also important to consider when to update, as immediate updates may sometimes introduce issues. Here’s a list of reasons to update regularly and considerations for when to update:

Reasons to Update Regularly:

Security Enhancements: Updates often include security patches that address vulnerabilities and protect your site from potential attacks. Running outdated software increases the risk of security breaches.

Bug Fixes: Updates fix software bugs and issues that may affect the performance and functionality of your website. Regular updates help ensure a smooth user experience.

New Features: Updates may introduce new features, improvements, and functionalities, enhancing the capabilities of your website and offering a better user experience.

Optimization: Updates can improve the speed and efficiency of your website, leading to better overall performance.

Compatibility: Updates often ensure compatibility with the latest versions of WordPress and other related software. Staying up to date prevents conflicts between different components.

Support: If you encounter issues with your website, having an updated system can make it easier to receive support from theme and plugin developers.

SEO and Ranking: Search engines favor websites with updated and well-maintained software, potentially boosting your SEO rankings.

Considerations for When to Update:

Test Environment: Before updating on your live site, consider setting up a test environment to check for any compatibility issues or conflicts that updates may introduce.

Compatibility: Ensure that your existing themes and plugins are compatible with the latest updates. Sometimes, third-party themes and plugins may need updates themselves to remain compatible.

Plugin Reputation: Be cautious of updating third-party plugins from untrusted sources. Stick with well-established plugins with a good track record of updates and support.

Backups: Always make complete backups of your website before performing any updates. In case something goes wrong, you can easily revert to a stable version.

Wait for Reviews: Consider waiting a short period after an update’s release to allow others to test it. Check reviews and forums to ensure there are no major issues.

Mission-Critical Sites: For websites where uptime is critical, such as e-commerce sites, waiting for reviews and thorough testing is advisable to avoid downtime or issues impacting sales.

Customization: If your site relies heavily on custom code or modifications, updates may affect this code. Consult with your developer or test the updates carefully in a staging environment.

In summary, regular updates are crucial for the security and performance of your website. However, the timing of updates should be approached with caution, especially for mission-critical sites or sites with extensive customization. Always balance the benefits of new features and security improvements with the potential risks and consider best practices for updating WordPress, themes, and plugins.

DRAG & DROP VISUAL BUILDERS: ELEMENTOR

Pros of Using a Drag-and-Drop WordPress Website Builder:

Ease of Use: Drag-and-drop builders make it simple for beginners to create and design websites without coding knowledge.

Speed: You can build websites quickly, reducing the time it takes to launch a site.

Customization: They offer extensive design and customization options, allowing you to create unique layouts and styles.

Cost-Effective: Many drag-and-drop builders have free versions, reducing the need for expensive web design services.

Templates: Pre-designed templates provide a starting point for various types of websites.

Responsive Design: Most builders facilitate responsive design, ensuring your site looks good on all devices.

Third-Party Integration: Integration with other plugins and tools is typically straightforward.

No Coding Required: You don’t need to be a developer to build a professional-looking website.

Cons of Using a Drag-and-Drop WordPress Website Builder:

Limited Control: While versatile, builders may not offer the same level of customization as hand-coding.

Performance: Excessive use of builder elements can negatively impact page load times and performance.

Learning Curve: While easier than coding, builders still have a learning curve, and advanced features may require time to master.

Lock-In: Your website’s structure and content are often tied to the specific builder you use, making it challenging to switch later.

Compatibility: Compatibility issues can arise when using builders with other themes or plugins.

Bloat: Builders can sometimes lead to code bloat, potentially affecting site performance.

Cost (for Premium Versions): While there are free versions, premium features may require a subscription or one-time payment.

Alternative Drag-and-Drop WordPress Website Builders to Elementor:

Beaver Builder: Known for its simplicity and clean code, Beaver Builder offers a user-friendly experience.

Divi: Divi by Elegant Themes is a popular builder with a visual interface and a wide range of modules.

Visual Composer: Visual Composer is a feature-rich builder with a unique “tree” view for page editing.

SiteOrigin Page Builder: SiteOrigin Page Builder is known for its widget-based approach and is a good choice for developers.

Brizy: Brizy is a newer builder with a focus on user-friendliness and an intuitive interface.

Thrive Architect: Thrive Architect is designed for conversion-focused websites and offers a set of elements for marketing purposes.

WPBakery Page Builder: WPBakery Page Builder (formerly Visual Composer) is widely used and offers both back-end and front-end editing options.

Oxygen: Oxygen is a builder focused on complete design freedom and is popular among developers for its flexibility.

When choosing a drag-and-drop builder, consider your specific needs, including your skill level, the type of website you’re creating, and your long-term plans for your website. Each builder has its own strengths and weaknesses, and the best choice depends on your individual requirements.