5 Awesome (Free) Blog Templates

Every WordPress site uses a theme or template. These are pre-coded and designed so that theoretically all you have to do is download or install the theme into your WordPress site, activate it and suddenly you have your new site! WordPress comes pre-loaded with some standard templates, and these are pretty good starting points for any novice.

However, if you want to achieve a certain look and feel, then you want to find a template that at least gets you part way there. These days I always start with a well-made template and customize to my tastes and specs. I just don’t like re-inventing the wheel, so to speak. So starting with a template I like saves time.

Some of my standards for a good theme are:

1. they must meet best practices for seo and web standards
2. every page must load fast
3. they must be customizable
4. they need to have a good reputation for support and updates
5. must be secure
6. needs to be compatible with the major plugins and features I want to use on the site
7. they have to look clean, not cluttered
8. must be responsive (look good on any size screen)

I have about 4 or 5 favorite paid themes that I tend to use and customize more often than not. These include Schema, Avada, X, and Divi, respectively. You’ll pay anywhere from $40 to $99 for one of these themes.

BUT if you’re just getting started, and you’re on a seriously strict budget, then spend your money on marketing and get going with one of these free themes. Yes, you’ll likely want to upgrade later, but get going. That is the key. I’ve been on a shoestring budget and had to start with literally nothing. It can be done.

And this list of totally awesome free blog templates will help you get started.

 

[button-green url=”http://demo.athemes.com/themes/?theme=Sydney” target=”_blank” position=”left”]Demo[/button-green][button-green url=”http://athemes.com/theme/sydney/” target=”_blank” position=””]Download[/button-green]

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[button-green url=”http://demo.athemes.com/themes/?theme=Astrid” target=”_blank” position=”left”]Demo[/button-green][button-green url=”http://athemes.com/theme/astrid/” target=”_blank” position=””]Download[/button-green]

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[button-green url=”https://wp-themes.com/make” target=”_blank” position=””]Demo[/button-green] [button-green url=”https://wordpress.org/themes/make/” target=”_blank” position=””]Download[/button-green]

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[button-green url=”https://wp-themes.com/optimizer” target=”_blank” position=””]Demo[/button-green] [button-green url=”https://wordpress.org/themes/optimizer/” target=”_blank” position=””]Download[/button-green]

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[button-green url=”https://wp-themes.com/hueman” target=”_blank” position=””]Demo[/button-green] [button-green url=”https://wordpress.org/themes/hueman/” target=”_blank” position=””]Download[/button-green]

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BONUS: Our favorite place for free WordPress themes is at siteground.com