Here is a simple checklist of question that you can use before purchasing a new WordPress theme that could help you to make sure the theme you plan to buy is the theme you actually need:
- Is theme compatible with latest WordPress version?
- Is it responsive?
- Is the design suitable for your website?
- Can theme colors be customized?
- Did you check the main menu? For example, is multi-level menu supported?
- Is it SEO friendly?
- Can you insert google analytics code or add any custom html or css without editing directly templates of the theme you plan to buy?
- Can you change favicon and logo images from the admin panel?
- Is there a breadcrumb (as a part of the navigation)?
- Is there a thumbnail support and can you customize these options easily?
- Are there any post types (i.e. Portfolio, Clients, and Testimonials)?
- Did you check the licensing?
- Are there any widgets that come with theme (i.e. social sites, tabs widget, contacts box, etc.)
- Are there layout options (i.e. boxed or wide)?
- Are social sites integrated (social icons in header, footer, widgets for social sites)?
- Are templates written in HTML5 and CSS3?
- Can you place easily ads in your website?
- Is there a theme documentation available?
- Did you check the theme code with W3C validator?
- Are Post Formats supported?
- Is Portfolio supported (in case you need to publish posts in your website)?
- Is WooCommerce supported (in case you plan to sell items in your website)?
- Is bbPress supported (in case you plan to include a forum in your website)?
- Is there a support for the premium theme you plan to buy?
- Is it supported on different browsers?
- Is there a homepage slider?
- Can you add author box after posts and pages?
- Can you change background from theme options?
- Can you change header from theme options?
- Can homepage be customized?
- Did you checked ratings and reviews (if any)?
- Did you check for positive or negative feedback about the author?
- Are there custom page templates (i.e. portfolio pages, contact page, fill-width page)?
- Is ‘Child Theme’ supported?
- Is FontAwesome integrated?
- Is theme regularly updated?
- Is it ‘widgets ready’?
- Is there a page navigation?
- Are there options for the 404 (not found) page?
- Are there social sharing buttons after posts available?
- Are sidebars (position, layout, etc.) suitable for your website?
- Is it translation-ready?
- Did you check if the theme you plan to buy require some plugin or all of the functionality is buit-in the theme?
- Are threaded comments available?
- Are there widget areas available in home page, header, footer, before/after post content?
- Are you happy with the price (higher price does Not mean higher quality)?
- Did you contact the author (if you have some question)? If yes, did you receive a fast response?
- Is google map integrated?
- Did you check the demo URL of theme you plan to buy?
- Did you checked the free version of the theme you plan to buy (in case there is a free version of the theme you plan to buy)?
- Do you really, really like the theme you plan to buy?