The WordPress theme is the skin – the look, layout, design and functioning of your WordPress blog and/or website. Choosing a theme will consume so much time, simply because there are so many options. There are literally hundreds (maybe thousands) of free WordPress theme layouts that you should not pay for a premium theme. However, although important, the theme should still take a back seat to content
When choosing a theme, here are some important things to consider:
1. Use of the WordPress site. If you will use your WordPress website as a blog, then you will need to choose your theme based on a layout that works for a blog, decide if you want a magazine layout, a traditional blog layout etc.
If you will use the site as a fully functioning website with multiple pages and a home page, and then you need to choose a theme that best works for that purpose.
Look at the site in all available views including single post view, page view, archive view, etc
2. Color. Although this is a good place to start when searching for a theme, it should not be a deal breaker, as this can be easily changed.
3. Customizing your theme even more. There are basically 2 ways to customize your theme. (1) Your WordPress theme may offer “Theme Options” or (2) you may have to edit the applicable HTML, CSS or PHP code to make any changes where you feel necessary. [ It is not as complicated and crazy as it sounds]
If you wish to edit your theme, you can do this from the WordPress dashboard, FTP or log into your hosting account CPanel \ File Manager and editing the files?
** Colors, Fonts, Graphics, Styles, Layouts, etc can all be edited and changed
4. Number of columns (including sidebars) Deciding how many columns you want will narrow your choices and help you make a better pick.
5. Navigation bar. The navigation or menu bar lists the pages that are included in your WordPress blog and website. Decide on whether you want a horizontal or vertical navigation bar, where you want the navigation bar to be placed, do you want a drop down menu etc.
Security
To improve security and prevent hackers and other dangers to your WordPress blog and website, use WordPress Themes and Plugins from the official WordPress Plugin Directory and WordPress Theme Directory.
Using the WordPress filter and tag interface.
When using the WordPress filter and tag interface, remember that not all themes are tagged correctly so plan on spending some additional time just randomly searching using different tags and filters. This is also accessible from inside your WordPress Dashboard.
You can always change your mind
You may change your theme anytime and/or switch back and forth between themes. Make a list of themes that you like, download them all and preview them until you find the one that you like best.