What to check before the demo
- 01Speed: install it on a blank site and run PageSpeed Insights. A theme that scores poorly empty will score worse full.
- 02Editor: does it work with the block editor and, if you need one, with the page builder your team will use? Themes that bundle their own builder lock you in.
- 03Maintenance: last update, changelog frequency, support forum activity. An abandoned theme is a security problem in waiting.
- 04Licensing: GPL, with a clear paid tier if you need pro features. Avoid nulled or grey-market copies; they ship malware.
- 05Demos are not the theme: the demo content took a professional weeks. Judge the theme by its settings and speed, not by the stock photography.
- 06Child theme support: customisations must survive updates.
The five themes we build on
1. Kadence
Fast, block-based, excellent header and footer builder, WooCommerce-ready. Our default for new business sites that will be edited by the client.
2. Astra
Lightweight, huge starter library, works with every builder. The safe choice when the client has an existing Elementor or Beaver Builder investment.
3. Hello Elementor
A blank canvas for Elementor Pro. Everything is built in the builder, including header and footer. Right when the design is fully custom and Elementor is the chosen tool; this site's WordPress predecessor ran on it.
4. GeneratePress
Minimal, very fast, developer-friendly. Ideal for content sites and blogs where speed is the priority and the design is clean rather than showy.
5. Blocksy
Modern block-first theme with strong WooCommerce features and a good free tier. Increasingly our choice for stores that do not need a builder.
| Theme | Best with | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Kadence | Block editor | Business sites, stores |
| Astra | Any builder | Elementor projects, starter sites |
| Hello Elementor | Elementor Pro | Fully custom Elementor builds |
| GeneratePress | Block editor | Content sites, speed |
| Blocksy | Block editor | WooCommerce |
Sources
- WordPress 7.0 release coverage, InfoQ and WP Engine, 2026.
Common questions
- Are free WordPress themes good enough for a business site?
- The free tiers of Kadence, Astra, GeneratePress and Blocksy are, for many sites. Pro versions add header options, WooCommerce features and support, and cost less than an hour of a developer's time.
- Should I use a page builder or the block editor?
- The block editor for most new sites: faster pages, no licence, no lock-in. Elementor when the design demands it or the client's team already knows it well.
- Can I change my WordPress theme later?
- Yes, but content built in a theme's own modules or a proprietary builder will need rebuilding. Themes that use the block editor make switching far easier.
