Book a Call
Book a Call
WordPress themes
SEO Optimization
Website Design
Page Speed
Customizable Themes
ARTICLE #71
Top 5 best WordPress Themes to make your website SEO friendly
WordPress themes
SEO Optimization
Website Design
Page Speed
Customizable Themes
WordPress themes
SEO Optimization
Website Design
Page Speed
Customizable Themes
Written by:
7 min read
Updated on: August 2, 2024
Toni Hukkanen
Head of Design
Creative Direction, Brand Direction
Toni Hukkanen
Head of Design
Creative Direction, Brand Direction
Is there anything more irritating than waiting on a website that crawls at a snail’s pace? Not only does it test your patience, but it also undercuts your search engine standings. That’s precisely why an SEO-friendly WordPress theme is more than a perk; it’s your high-speed ticket to greater visibility. Choose one optimised for performance, and you’ll likely notice an uplift in user satisfaction and rankings. It also helps you stand out, especially online, where everyone’s vying for attention.
Faster sites build trust, keep visitors engaged, and often convert better. So, if you want to climb those Google charts without driving yourself crazy, pick a theme built for speed and search engine rankings. Let’s look at five prime examples that deliver on both style and performance, and they won’t disappoint.
Is there anything more irritating than waiting on a website that crawls at a snail’s pace? Not only does it test your patience, but it also undercuts your search engine standings. That’s precisely why an SEO-friendly WordPress theme is more than a perk; it’s your high-speed ticket to greater visibility. Choose one optimised for performance, and you’ll likely notice an uplift in user satisfaction and rankings. It also helps you stand out, especially online, where everyone’s vying for attention.
Faster sites build trust, keep visitors engaged, and often convert better. So, if you want to climb those Google charts without driving yourself crazy, pick a theme built for speed and search engine rankings. Let’s look at five prime examples that deliver on both style and performance, and they won’t disappoint.
1. Astra
1. Astra
Astra regularly tops popularity charts, partly because it’s lightning-fast and easy to set up. Speed and SEO are baked right into its core. There’s even built-in schema markup, plus handy meta and title tag options. Astra’s many layout choices and templates let you fine-tune your site’s appearance without wading through complicated menus. Its interface helps you go live fast, whether for a blog or e-commerce.
Key features
Lightweight and fast: Quick load times boost user satisfaction and reduce bounce rates, which can lead to better engagement and improved visibility on search engines. With fewer scripts under the hood, your site stays agile and easy to navigate.
Highly customisable: Choose from several templates, layouts, and design features to shape your site’s look.
SEO-friendly approach: Embedded schema markup, meta tags, and title tag tools deliver precise cues to search engines about your site’s content. This framework can truly enhance how your pages display in results, possibly boosting click-through rates and overall traffic.
Smooth compatibility: It plays nicely with page builders like Elementor and leading WordPress plugins, letting you include must-have features minus the big rebuild. This collaborative setup spares you precious time and cash while keeping your site truly rock-solid and simple to refresh.
Astra regularly tops popularity charts, partly because it’s lightning-fast and easy to set up. Speed and SEO are baked right into its core. There’s even built-in schema markup, plus handy meta and title tag options. Astra’s many layout choices and templates let you fine-tune your site’s appearance without wading through complicated menus. Its interface helps you go live fast, whether for a blog or e-commerce.
Key features
Lightweight and fast: Quick load times boost user satisfaction and reduce bounce rates, which can lead to better engagement and improved visibility on search engines. With fewer scripts under the hood, your site stays agile and easy to navigate.
Highly customisable: Choose from several templates, layouts, and design features to shape your site’s look.
SEO-friendly approach: Embedded schema markup, meta tags, and title tag tools deliver precise cues to search engines about your site’s content. This framework can truly enhance how your pages display in results, possibly boosting click-through rates and overall traffic.
Smooth compatibility: It plays nicely with page builders like Elementor and leading WordPress plugins, letting you include must-have features minus the big rebuild. This collaborative setup spares you precious time and cash while keeping your site truly rock-solid and simple to refresh.
2. GeneratePress
GeneratePress is another quick, light WordPress theme crafted with SEO performance in mind. Its code is lean and secure, lowering the chance of conflicts or slowdowns. Along with built-in schema markup and meta tags, GeneratePress includes plenty of customisation controls. Developers who enjoy tinkering with code also appreciate its straightforward, well-structured setup. It also has a community backing it, ensuring quick solutions for common queries.
Key features
Clean and secure code: Transparent, stable coding allows search engines to crawl your pages more easily, raising index accuracy. Minimal clutter also shrinks the risk of tech hiccups, giving you an SEO-ready site that’s far less vulnerable to security threats.
Mobile responsive: GeneratePress scales to screen size, so it remains crisp on desktops, tablets, and phones. This responsiveness fuels user satisfaction and can boost your position, since search engines favour sites that cater to mobile visitors.
Accessibility ready: It complies with key standards, ensuring your site is usable for everyone, including individuals with disabilities. By offering text alternatives, logical heading hierarchy, and keyboard-friendly navigation, you provide a smoother journey that search engines happily reward.
Translation & RTL support: GeneratePress seamlessly handles multiple languages, including right-to-left scripts, absolutely crucial for engaging a broad audience. Whether creating a worldwide marketplace or a multilingual blog, the theme’s built-in support significantly lightens the load of manual coding.
GeneratePress is another quick, light WordPress theme crafted with SEO performance in mind. Its code is lean and secure, lowering the chance of conflicts or slowdowns. Along with built-in schema markup and meta tags, GeneratePress includes plenty of customisation controls. Developers who enjoy tinkering with code also appreciate its straightforward, well-structured setup. It also has a community backing it, ensuring quick solutions for common queries.
Key features
Clean and secure code: Transparent, stable coding allows search engines to crawl your pages more easily, raising index accuracy. Minimal clutter also shrinks the risk of tech hiccups, giving you an SEO-ready site that’s far less vulnerable to security threats.
Mobile responsive: GeneratePress scales to screen size, so it remains crisp on desktops, tablets, and phones. This responsiveness fuels user satisfaction and can boost your position, since search engines favour sites that cater to mobile visitors.
Accessibility ready: It complies with key standards, ensuring your site is usable for everyone, including individuals with disabilities. By offering text alternatives, logical heading hierarchy, and keyboard-friendly navigation, you provide a smoother journey that search engines happily reward.
Translation & RTL support: GeneratePress seamlessly handles multiple languages, including right-to-left scripts, absolutely crucial for engaging a broad audience. Whether creating a worldwide marketplace or a multilingual blog, the theme’s built-in support significantly lightens the load of manual coding.
3. OceanWP
OceanWP enjoys a solid reputation for being both extremely flexible and SEO-friendly. It provides robust e-commerce features, like dedicated store templates, and seamlessly works with WooCommerce. Schema markup, meta tags, and title tags come built in, and you can link them to big-name SEO plugins. Its support resources are also thorough, offering extra advice on theme configuration and feature adjustments, along with a friendly team.
Key features
E-commerce focus: OceanWP features built-in WooCommerce tools and specialised store templates that shine a light on your products. From quick-view popups to frictionless checkout pages, you can convert curious visitors into buyers, all while preserving a polished online store.
Page builder friendly: It works smoothly with Elementor and Beaver Builder, letting you customise page layouts and designs minus code headaches. Intuitive drag-and-drop tools mean you can transform your site’s visuals, even if you’re not feeling super tech-savvy yet.
Global site control: OceanWP delivers a unified dashboard for managing your site’s design. Skip juggling multiple menus—change colours, tweak typography, or adjust layouts in one hub. That approach saves time and keeps your site’s overall style cohesive and on-brand.
Helpful support: You receive documentation and access to a lively forum where users swap advice on tweaks or fixes. The quick reactions from this engaged community often solve issues fast, reducing the odds of encountering a dead end.
OceanWP enjoys a solid reputation for being both extremely flexible and SEO-friendly. It provides robust e-commerce features, like dedicated store templates, and seamlessly works with WooCommerce. Schema markup, meta tags, and title tags come built in, and you can link them to big-name SEO plugins. Its support resources are also thorough, offering extra advice on theme configuration and feature adjustments, along with a friendly team.
Key features
E-commerce focus: OceanWP features built-in WooCommerce tools and specialised store templates that shine a light on your products. From quick-view popups to frictionless checkout pages, you can convert curious visitors into buyers, all while preserving a polished online store.
Page builder friendly: It works smoothly with Elementor and Beaver Builder, letting you customise page layouts and designs minus code headaches. Intuitive drag-and-drop tools mean you can transform your site’s visuals, even if you’re not feeling super tech-savvy yet.
Global site control: OceanWP delivers a unified dashboard for managing your site’s design. Skip juggling multiple menus—change colours, tweak typography, or adjust layouts in one hub. That approach saves time and keeps your site’s overall style cohesive and on-brand.
Helpful support: You receive documentation and access to a lively forum where users swap advice on tweaks or fixes. The quick reactions from this engaged community often solve issues fast, reducing the odds of encountering a dead end.
4. Schema
Schema is built with agencies, businesses, and professionals in mind. As its name suggests, it prioritises schema markup to give search engines crystal-clear information about your site. Beyond that, Schema also includes meta tags, title tags, and flexible layouts, so you can adapt it to your brand’s identity. Plus, it’s updated to stay compatible with the latest WordPress releases, which helps maintain stability and security.
Key features
Emphasis on structured data: Schema spotlights organised information, guiding search engines to interpret your content better. This clarity often translates into higher rankings and can yield more credible search results, giving your pages real advantage when prospective visitors are looking around.
Optimised performance: Schema’s minimal code emphasises fast loading, encouraging visitors to linger longer on your pages. This agility also assures search engines that your site can handle user traffic, which consistently elevates SEO standing and significantly enhances your digital footprint.
Customisable design: Colours, fonts, layouts, and more are fully up for grabs, perfectly mirroring your agency or business vibe. A wide range of settings spares you from code dives whenever you’d like to quickly refresh visuals or tweak brand details.
WooCommerce compatibility: Launching an online store is entirely simple thanks to WooCommerce support. Whether you sell physical goods or digital content, Schema’s ecommerce-focused tools let you oversee product listings, manage checkouts smoothly, and retain a professional shopping feel.
Schema is built with agencies, businesses, and professionals in mind. As its name suggests, it prioritises schema markup to give search engines crystal-clear information about your site. Beyond that, Schema also includes meta tags, title tags, and flexible layouts, so you can adapt it to your brand’s identity. Plus, it’s updated to stay compatible with the latest WordPress releases, which helps maintain stability and security.
Key features
Emphasis on structured data: Schema spotlights organised information, guiding search engines to interpret your content better. This clarity often translates into higher rankings and can yield more credible search results, giving your pages real advantage when prospective visitors are looking around.
Optimised performance: Schema’s minimal code emphasises fast loading, encouraging visitors to linger longer on your pages. This agility also assures search engines that your site can handle user traffic, which consistently elevates SEO standing and significantly enhances your digital footprint.
Customisable design: Colours, fonts, layouts, and more are fully up for grabs, perfectly mirroring your agency or business vibe. A wide range of settings spares you from code dives whenever you’d like to quickly refresh visuals or tweak brand details.
WooCommerce compatibility: Launching an online store is entirely simple thanks to WooCommerce support. Whether you sell physical goods or digital content, Schema’s ecommerce-focused tools let you oversee product listings, manage checkouts smoothly, and retain a professional shopping feel.
5. Neve
Neve is praised for being quick, understated, and ready to rank well. It includes schema markup, plus meta and title tag features, seamlessly pairing with plugins like Yoast SEO. The customisation side is also solid, pick a pre-built layout, then make it your own. Developers update Neve alongside WordPress changes, preserving a secure feel. That approach minimises hassles and helps your site stay consistent over time.
Key features
Fast and lightweight: Neve’s code is designed for speed, helping pages load quickly. By minimising resource-heavy scripts, it lowers the risk of slowdowns that could drive visitors away. This efficiency pairs well with SEO best practices, boosting your online profile.
Customiser-based settings: You can manage design changes through WordPress’s built-in customiser, making it simpler to adjust fonts, layouts, and colour schemes. Changes appear in real-time, so you can perfect your site’s style without juggling multiple windows or guesswork.
Header and footer builder: Adjust the top and bottom sections of your site for stronger branding and ease of browsing. Drag-and-drop controls mean you can rearrange elements like menus and logos without messing around in code.
One-click demo import: Begin your site build swiftly by importing sample sites with a single click. You can then customise images, text, and layouts, giving you a head start on design while cutting down the time typically spent on setup.
Neve is praised for being quick, understated, and ready to rank well. It includes schema markup, plus meta and title tag features, seamlessly pairing with plugins like Yoast SEO. The customisation side is also solid, pick a pre-built layout, then make it your own. Developers update Neve alongside WordPress changes, preserving a secure feel. That approach minimises hassles and helps your site stay consistent over time.
Key features
Fast and lightweight: Neve’s code is designed for speed, helping pages load quickly. By minimising resource-heavy scripts, it lowers the risk of slowdowns that could drive visitors away. This efficiency pairs well with SEO best practices, boosting your online profile.
Customiser-based settings: You can manage design changes through WordPress’s built-in customiser, making it simpler to adjust fonts, layouts, and colour schemes. Changes appear in real-time, so you can perfect your site’s style without juggling multiple windows or guesswork.
Header and footer builder: Adjust the top and bottom sections of your site for stronger branding and ease of browsing. Drag-and-drop controls mean you can rearrange elements like menus and logos without messing around in code.
One-click demo import: Begin your site build swiftly by importing sample sites with a single click. You can then customise images, text, and layouts, giving you a head start on design while cutting down the time typically spent on setup.
What makes a WordPress theme SEO-friendly?
It’s easy to think of a WordPress theme purely in terms of aesthetics. But your theme is also a major part of how search engines view, interpret, and rank your site. A properly optimised theme raises your odds of standing out online, whether you’re a blogger trying to increase page views or a business aiming for more sales. Below are some important elements to look for when picking an SEO-friendly theme.
1. Mobile-friendliness and responsiveness
Smartphone usage isn't slowing down, which means mobile-friendly design isn't a luxury anymore. According to Statista, around 60% of global web traffic originates from handheld devices, so search engines give extra credit to pages that resize elegantly. A responsive theme keeps visuals crisp on every screen, preventing dreaded pinch-and-zoom routines. That alone can reduce bounce rates and raise ranking potential. People prefer a polished experience, and search engines notice. Invest in mobile compatibility now to safeguard your site’s future success.
2. Page speed and loading time
Studies by Google say 53% of mobile users vanish if a page takes more than three seconds. Slow sites can sink user satisfaction and search rankings. A lean codebase with minimal scripts is often the secret to breezing through speed tests. Visitors appreciate quick-loading pages and are more likely to hang around, seriously boosting potential conversions. Plus, search engines love sites that won’t keep people waiting. Nobody wants to linger forever, so prioritise performance to safeguard traffic, reputation, and your sanity.
3. Clean and semantic code
Search engines rely on well-organised structures to figure out what your site’s all about. Themes that use HTML5 and CSS3 create a simpler path for bots, cutting confusion, significantly raising the odds you'll appear in prominent spots. Clean code also lowers the chance of plugin conflicts or meltdown when WordPress updates roll out. That stability matters to both visitors and search engines. A tidy foundation can nurture better user experiences, which in turn, can polish your search ranking potential overall.
4. Customising meta tags and titles
Meta tags and titles serve as signposts in search engine results. A flexible theme lets you rewrite them making sure each page or post stands out. That clarity can drive more clicks, which search engines interpret as a sign of relevance. Skipping custom meta details often means default placeholders that fail to impress. With direct control, you can highlight specific keywords or selling points. Search engines respond to precision and consistency, so never underestimate the power of an accurate snippet.
5. Integration with SEO plugins
Tools like Yoast SEO and All in One SEO Pack grant control over your site’s rankings. A theme that harmonises with these plugins saves time by letting you tweak titles, meta data, and keyword targeting without wrestling with code. That also means fewer compatibility headaches. Instead of juggling multiple dashboards, you can handle crucial settings in one place. This streamlined approach ensures your pages keep pace with evolving guidelines. Plus, it frees you up to concentrate on content and strategy.
6. User experience and schema markup
User experience (UX) spans navigation, readability, and layout flow. A theme offering neat menus and well-chosen fonts encourages visitors to stick around, lowering bounce rates. Search engines notice these behaviour patterns. Meanwhile, schema markup supplies extra data that helps bots understand your content, potentially leading to richer listings in search results. This detail can highlight products, events, or reviews more effectively than standard snippets. A positive UX plus smart markup can generate longer sessions, stronger trust, and better overall rankings.
7. Regular updates and support
Themes with steady updates and solid support stay aligned with WordPress’s frequent changes. This vigilance prevents security lapses, downtime, or glitches that can sour your ranking. A proactive developer team often patches issues before they spiral, so you spend less time troubleshooting. Consistent maintenance keeps your site stable for visitors and search engines alike. The net effect? An online presence you can trust, plus fewer nasty surprises in the long run. Consider support and updates an investment in smooth operations.
It’s easy to think of a WordPress theme purely in terms of aesthetics. But your theme is also a major part of how search engines view, interpret, and rank your site. A properly optimised theme raises your odds of standing out online, whether you’re a blogger trying to increase page views or a business aiming for more sales. Below are some important elements to look for when picking an SEO-friendly theme.
1. Mobile-friendliness and responsiveness
Smartphone usage isn't slowing down, which means mobile-friendly design isn't a luxury anymore. According to Statista, around 60% of global web traffic originates from handheld devices, so search engines give extra credit to pages that resize elegantly. A responsive theme keeps visuals crisp on every screen, preventing dreaded pinch-and-zoom routines. That alone can reduce bounce rates and raise ranking potential. People prefer a polished experience, and search engines notice. Invest in mobile compatibility now to safeguard your site’s future success.
2. Page speed and loading time
Studies by Google say 53% of mobile users vanish if a page takes more than three seconds. Slow sites can sink user satisfaction and search rankings. A lean codebase with minimal scripts is often the secret to breezing through speed tests. Visitors appreciate quick-loading pages and are more likely to hang around, seriously boosting potential conversions. Plus, search engines love sites that won’t keep people waiting. Nobody wants to linger forever, so prioritise performance to safeguard traffic, reputation, and your sanity.
3. Clean and semantic code
Search engines rely on well-organised structures to figure out what your site’s all about. Themes that use HTML5 and CSS3 create a simpler path for bots, cutting confusion, significantly raising the odds you'll appear in prominent spots. Clean code also lowers the chance of plugin conflicts or meltdown when WordPress updates roll out. That stability matters to both visitors and search engines. A tidy foundation can nurture better user experiences, which in turn, can polish your search ranking potential overall.
4. Customising meta tags and titles
Meta tags and titles serve as signposts in search engine results. A flexible theme lets you rewrite them making sure each page or post stands out. That clarity can drive more clicks, which search engines interpret as a sign of relevance. Skipping custom meta details often means default placeholders that fail to impress. With direct control, you can highlight specific keywords or selling points. Search engines respond to precision and consistency, so never underestimate the power of an accurate snippet.
5. Integration with SEO plugins
Tools like Yoast SEO and All in One SEO Pack grant control over your site’s rankings. A theme that harmonises with these plugins saves time by letting you tweak titles, meta data, and keyword targeting without wrestling with code. That also means fewer compatibility headaches. Instead of juggling multiple dashboards, you can handle crucial settings in one place. This streamlined approach ensures your pages keep pace with evolving guidelines. Plus, it frees you up to concentrate on content and strategy.
6. User experience and schema markup
User experience (UX) spans navigation, readability, and layout flow. A theme offering neat menus and well-chosen fonts encourages visitors to stick around, lowering bounce rates. Search engines notice these behaviour patterns. Meanwhile, schema markup supplies extra data that helps bots understand your content, potentially leading to richer listings in search results. This detail can highlight products, events, or reviews more effectively than standard snippets. A positive UX plus smart markup can generate longer sessions, stronger trust, and better overall rankings.
7. Regular updates and support
Themes with steady updates and solid support stay aligned with WordPress’s frequent changes. This vigilance prevents security lapses, downtime, or glitches that can sour your ranking. A proactive developer team often patches issues before they spiral, so you spend less time troubleshooting. Consistent maintenance keeps your site stable for visitors and search engines alike. The net effect? An online presence you can trust, plus fewer nasty surprises in the long run. Consider support and updates an investment in smooth operations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I really need an SEO-friendly theme?
While you could try to ramp up your search performance with just plugins, a theme built with SEO in mind gives you an instant edge. It’s similar to racing with a sports car tuned for speed versus upgrading a family sedan. With the right framework, you’ll see better outcomes for less effort.
Are these SEO-friendly themes hard to set up and use for someone who isn’t a techie?
You don’t need to be a coding whiz. Many of these themes include straightforward documentation and user-friendly options. If you’re comfortable clicking around in WordPress, you’ll likely adjust to these themes without feeling lost.
Will my search rankings immediately go up once I switch to an SEO-friendly theme?
If only it were that simple. While you’ll get a helpful boost by picking an optimised theme, strong content, smart link-building, and other SEO strategies remain essential. Think of an SEO-ready theme as the foundation for the rest of your efforts—it’ll support what you build, but you still have to put in the work.
Conclusion
Picking the right WordPress theme isn’t just a style decision, it can make or break your site’s visibility in search results. Themes that prioritise SEO elements like clean code, flexible meta settings, mobile responsiveness, and quick load times can have a lasting impact on your online presence. While it’s tempting to chase the prettiest design, be sure it also checks the boxes for site performance and SEO readiness.
That way, your website not only looks impressive but also shows up where it counts: on the top pages of Google. And once visitors start arriving, there’s a good chance they’ll stick around long enough to become customers. Plus, a well-optimised theme can be a turning point for conversions, whether you’re running a personal blog or a full-fledged ecommerce site and brand awareness.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I really need an SEO-friendly theme?
While you could try to ramp up your search performance with just plugins, a theme built with SEO in mind gives you an instant edge. It’s similar to racing with a sports car tuned for speed versus upgrading a family sedan. With the right framework, you’ll see better outcomes for less effort.
Are these SEO-friendly themes hard to set up and use for someone who isn’t a techie?
You don’t need to be a coding whiz. Many of these themes include straightforward documentation and user-friendly options. If you’re comfortable clicking around in WordPress, you’ll likely adjust to these themes without feeling lost.
Will my search rankings immediately go up once I switch to an SEO-friendly theme?
If only it were that simple. While you’ll get a helpful boost by picking an optimised theme, strong content, smart link-building, and other SEO strategies remain essential. Think of an SEO-ready theme as the foundation for the rest of your efforts—it’ll support what you build, but you still have to put in the work.
Conclusion
Picking the right WordPress theme isn’t just a style decision, it can make or break your site’s visibility in search results. Themes that prioritise SEO elements like clean code, flexible meta settings, mobile responsiveness, and quick load times can have a lasting impact on your online presence. While it’s tempting to chase the prettiest design, be sure it also checks the boxes for site performance and SEO readiness.
That way, your website not only looks impressive but also shows up where it counts: on the top pages of Google. And once visitors start arriving, there’s a good chance they’ll stick around long enough to become customers. Plus, a well-optimised theme can be a turning point for conversions, whether you’re running a personal blog or a full-fledged ecommerce site and brand awareness.
Work with us
Click to copy
work@for.co
- FOR® Brand. FOR® Future.
We’re remote-first — with strategic global hubs
Click to copy
Helsinki, FIN
info@for.fi
Click to copy
New York, NY
ny@for.co
Click to copy
Miami, FL
mia@for.co
Click to copy
Dubai, UAE
uae@for.co
Click to copy
Kyiv, UA
kyiv@for.co
Click to copy
Lagos, NG
lagos@for.ng
Copyright © 2024 FOR®
Work with us
Click to copy
work@for.co
- FOR® Brand. FOR® Future.
We’re remote-first — with strategic global hubs
Click to copy
Helsinki, FIN
info@for.fi
Click to copy
New York, NY
ny@for.co
Click to copy
Miami, FL
mia@for.co
Click to copy
Dubai, UAE
uae@for.co
Click to copy
Kyiv, UA
kyiv@for.co
Click to copy
Lagos, NG
lagos@for.ng
Copyright © 2024 FOR®
Work with us
Click to copy
work@for.co
We’re remote-first — with strategic global hubs
Click to copy
Helsinki, FIN
hel@for.co
Click to copy
New York, NY
ny@for.co
Click to copy
Miami, FL
mia@for.co
Click to copy
Dubai, UAE
uae@for.co
Click to copy
Kyiv, UA
kyiv@for.co
Click to copy
Lagos, NG
lagos@for.ng
Copyright © 2024 FOR®