When you create a WordPress website, there are a few key components that you need to keep in mind. For instance, your website must be fast to use. Otherwise, you will not attract any virtual traffic. If visitors must spend more than a few seconds waiting for your web pages to load, they are more than likely to navigate to a different site instead, and you will lose their business. We have compiled a list of some of the fastest WordPress themes that you can incorporate into your website to help ensure its success.
What Makes a Fast Theme?
Many website owners have asked why their sites are not as fast as they want them to be. Usually, this has to do with the theme that they choose. A theme is fast when it has smaller page sizes. When there are fewer images, data, and files on the website, the page will load much quicker. This is not to say that every website should be completely minimalistic, but a good WordPress theme will eliminate the unnecessary data and code.
How to Test Theme Speeds?
It is great when you find a theme that has high speeds during user tests, but you will want to check the stats out for yourself. There are many online speed tools that you can utilize to test your website. Otherwise, there are WordPress plugins that you can install such as SpeedGuard. This plugin will calculate your website’s speed and give you recommendations on how to improve it. A common cause is due to unused features that you can uninstall.
Fastest WordPress Themes
OceanWP
A benefit to using this WordPress theme is its adaptability to different screen sizes. This means that your clients will be able to view the website whether they are using their computer, cell phone, or tablet. Customers also appreciate OceanWP sites because of the quick view feature. They can swiftly view the details of an item without needing to leave the page.
There are many demos for ready-made websites that you can choose from. These demos consist of sample content and pre-generated sections you can fill in. The demos for Astra include websites for dating, sugar daddy services, and lifestyle.
Neve
In 2021, over 200,000 WordPress users installed Neve. It is fully customizable and allows you to drop and drag your website’s elements into place. This theme’s high speeds are primarily because it is so lightweight. It is not weighed down with excessive HTTP requests or unnecessary design elements. Neve is compatible with most WordPress plugins, including the major SEO plugins.
Neve is also optimized for use on mobile electronic devices. This is especially beneficial if you are creating a website that will have a corresponding app that clients will use on the go.
Astra
Astra is a popular WordPress theme, as it has supported the creation of over 1,000,000 websites. It has very high speeds, with users averaging half a second per loading page. To achieve these speeds, Astra disables jQuery libraries, which are well-known to cause delays to websites. Astra works with all the most popular page builders, which include Elementor, Visual Composer, and Gutenberg.
Astra is a common choice among WooCommerce entrepreneurs, as it integrates well with the plugin. There is a free version of Astra, as well as a premium package and business bundle. If you use this theme as a business, more discounts are available to you.
Schema
Schema is a WordPress theme that specializes in SEO optimization for bloggers and other professionals. The developers wanted to make sure that every line of code has a specific purpose, and there is no extra content other than what is necessary. This theme also has a pre-designated ad slot so that you do not need to use third-party plugins, saving resources.
Schema integrates with the page builder Elementor, which delivers to the user a high number of features. It also can share directly on social media, which will increase the amount of interest and traffic to your website.
Divi
Divi is a WordPress theme that originated in 2013 but is continuously undergoing updates to stay up to date with the latest features. Divi offers the user many different templates to create pre-designed websites. These templates cover a variety of different functionalities, such as eCommerce stores and fitness studios.
Divi boasts several features that optimize its speed. For instance, its JavaScript is very concise to avoid loading unnecessary scripts. As well, Divi will defer jQuery when it is not needed and move it to the body. This will increase the loading speeds and avoid delays. When a third-party plugin requires jQuery, it will move back to the head.
Choosing a Theme
If you are still having difficulty choosing a WordPress theme, take the time to research what requirements your website has. Certain themes will benefit different types of businesses, as they have more built-in features that are necessary. For instance, Astra, Divi, and OceanWP tend to be popular with business owners due to the widgets and templates that clients can choose from.