Which WordPress Themes Work Best For Programmatic Publishers
Which WordPress Themes Work Best For Programmatic Publishers
What we’ve learned from testing millions of website layouts
- Menu location
- Menu/navigation type and style
- Background color
- Sidebar location
- Ad placements/locations/types
- Ad density
There are certainly more factors, but these play a major role when tested against different traffic sources. Let’s look at a case study to see just how important some of these factors can be in the right context.
The impact that WordPress layout features have on UX and revenue
> _“But, Tyler, maybe those visitors are the key variable here, not the menu?”_
> _But, Tyler, I thought you were_ going _to give me advice about WordPress themes?_
Fine. I will, but keep the information above in mind; as I’m guessing that a lot of people reading this are looking for a single great theme that is going to delight visitors and improve revenue, and while a theme could potentially improve both of those things, **a wholesale approach to a single website layout is not optimal.**
Think mobile when selecting WordPress themes
Think about all the variables in the equation
The effect of WordPress themes on website speed
Find a WordPress theme that has the attributes you need
Rather than relying on the theme that might be catching your eye, why not focus on all the things you need out of your theme first. Consider the following…
**Does the theme…**
- Have lots of potential ad locations
- Have a lot of different menu options
- How adjustable are features like the sidebar
- Can you turn off sections or elements of the theme that could affect visitors negatively
- Work well with common plugins
So, now that we know what we want. Here are a few good tips on what to look for.
**Look for themes that are…**
- Proven, popular themes
- Built by trusted builders
- Flexible and easily customized
- Built without excess or overly complex code/scripts
Google search the theme for reviews and potential conflicts that exist. While it may be tempting to try out a new slick looking theme you found in the deep throws of the internet, you’re statistically better off selecting a popular theme (that’s fast) with good reviews.
Selecting the best WordPress theme for your audience
