There’s natural confusion here as, in static website design, these terms can & have been used interchangeably. A template is typically an
HTML and/or
CSS coded visual style which gives a website a certain color-scheme, look & feel.
In the world of WordPress where we are dealing with dynamic websites, a theme is much, much more than this…at least when we’re dealing with good and current theme design. A theme does include visual styling, but it goes beyond that in offering, first, WordPress functionality. One cannot simply throw an HTML template on a WordPress site…it won’t work. A good theme gives you great power, control and flexibility by maximizing the dynamic features and benefits of the WordPress platform and it does it while looking great!
One of the great aspects of WordPress is that WordPress allows use of their code for all sorts of development. As a result, there’s a LOT of development going on out there. Not all of it is good! And…not all of it remains current. WordPress offers regular releases and updates to keep the program current and secure. Not all developers keep up! There are a lot of bad or old WordPress products out there.
Brass Ring Multimedia’s training and coaching emphasizes how to choose WordPress add-ons like themes and plugins (see below) from reputable sources so your website remains functional, secure and looking great!
