Getting a Free WordPress Theme With Hosting

Many hosts now offer their own WordPress theme galleries, packed full of professional quality layouts for your site or blog.

Is it worth signing up to a host just to bag a free premium theme? 

Who Provides Themes?

This information was correct at the time of publication. Some details are now out of date.

• Site5 has published a collection of free, premium themes exclusive to just its own customers. The seven themes were all designed in-house and have already been updated for WordPress 3.0. They are also maintained and supported by staff members in the Site5 forums.
• SiteGround also offers its own library of free WordPress themes, many of which have been designed in-house.

As WordPress evolves, more hosting companies are providing themes as a bonus freebie.

What About Paid Themes?

This information was correct at the time of publication. Some details are now out of date.

WordPress offers plenty of free themes. For many users, free is good enough, particularly in the early days. But once your site’s gaining traction, you’ll probably want something more unique.

Sites such as WooThemes offer a professional alternative for a price. A single theme from WooThemes can cost as much as $40. Thesis, a very popular WordPress theme for its ease of customization, starts at $87.

For a basic site, it may not be cost-effective to buy a theme, or sign up for a membership to a theme site. But there’s no doubting the fact that premium themes give sites a more individual character, and these themes are often very well supported.

How WordPress Theme Licences Work

WordPress themes are widely considered to be derivatives of WordPress. Aince WordPress is licensed under the GPL, that makes the themes licensed the same way in some cases. Each theme will have its own licence agreement and terms.

For themes provided by hosts, you’ll find that they inevitably crop up around the web and are used elsewhere on non-customers’ sites. A free premium theme may not be as exclusive as one you’ve paid for.

Are Free Premium Themes Worth It?

Like many freebies, free premium WordPress themes should be seen as a perk of your hosting contract rather than a must-have feature. Themes are always nice to have, but your site will eventually outgrow even the largest library your host can offer.