WordPress - Quick question about themes

Tech Wizard · November 13, 2017

Hello,

When installing a new theme in WordPress, is it only widgets that may not be usable with all themes, or plugins as well?

Another way of asking: Are all plugins going to work with all themes? I know all widgets doesn't work with all themes. Thanks in advance!

mpsparrow · November 13, 2017

Unless the theme is stupid and is doing plugin functionality, themes shouldn't conflict with any plugins. That being said, different themes can change the look of things on the frontend of your website. So for example if you installed WooCommerce (a popular WordPress shop plugin) it can look different from theme to theme on the frontend but all the same functionality will be there and it should all work.

I don't get where you are getting this idea about how all widgets don't work with different themes. Widgets can only be used in areas where the theme allows you to. So one theme may only have a sidebar area where you can put widgets. Others may have a footer or even a header area where you can put widgets. These areas are all up to where the theme maker decided to put them. All default WordPress widgets can be used if the theme has some widget area. Some themes also add in custom widgets just for their theme which you can only use if you have there theme active.

Hopefully that makes sense.

Tech Wizard · November 13, 2017

1 minute ago, mpsparrow said:

Unless the theme is stupid and is doing plugin functionality, themes shouldn't conflict with any plugins. That being said, different themes can change the look of things on the frontend of your website. So for example if you installed WooCommerce (a popular WordPress shop plugin) it can look different from theme to theme on the frontend but all the same functionality will be there and it should all work.

I don't get where you are getting this idea about how all widgets don't work with different themes. Widgets can only be used in areas where the theme allows you to. So one theme may only have a sidebar area where you can put widgets. Others may have a footer or even a header area where you can put widgets. These areas are all up to where the theme maker decided to put them. All default WordPress widgets can be used if the theme has some widget area. Some themes also add in custom widgets just for their theme which you can only use if you have there theme active.

Hopefully that makes sense.

Yes, made sense. Thank you

Tech Wizard · November 28, 2017

3 hours ago, Gregory777 said:

This thread is very useful for me as I'm going to build a website using a wordpress theme that I've got on a Black Friday sale (https://www.templatemonster.com/wordpress-themes.php). But it will be my first experience in wordpress using, so I'll take into account your information. Thanks!

That's good! Credit goes to @mpsparrow for his knowledge