{"id":17954,"date":"2025-12-16T10:33:56","date_gmt":"2025-12-16T10:33:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/kmfinfotech.com\/blogs\/wordpress-do-built-from-scratch-themes-still-make-sense-ultimate-guide-2024\/"},"modified":"2025-12-16T10:33:57","modified_gmt":"2025-12-16T10:33:57","slug":"wordpress-do-built-from-scratch-themes-still-make-sense-ultimate-guide-2024","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/kmfinfotech.com\/blogs\/wordpress-do-built-from-scratch-themes-still-make-sense-ultimate-guide-2024\/","title":{"rendered":"WordPress: Do Built-From-Scratch Themes Still Make Sense? | Ultimate Guide 2024"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Relevance of Custom WordPress Themes in 2023<\/h1>\n

WordPress boasts an unrivaled flexibility. There\u2019s an opportunity to customize every component of your website. That certainly applies to themes.<\/p>\n

For years, some developers opted to build custom themes from (or near) scratch. Whether starting from a blank screen or a starter framework like Underscores (rest in peace), the goal is to craft a theme that suits your project.<\/p>\n

This approach predates the Block Editor, which was introduced way back in WordPress 5.0. It was a time when developers used plugins like Advanced Custom Fields to create a custom page-building experience. There was also a need to hard-code complex layouts within the theme\u2019s template system.<\/p>\n

In short, it was often the best way to create a custom website that was also client-proof. However, WordPress and its theme ecosystem have evolved. Custom layouts can be built with a default installation, and block themes allow for greater design flexibility.<\/p>\n

That leads to the question: Do from-scratch WordPress themes still make sense in modern times? Let\u2019s explore their role (or not) in the theme development landscape.<\/p>\n

Mixing WordPress Blocks & Templates<\/span><\/h2>\n

Traditionally, a from-scratch theme is also a \u201cclassic\u201d theme. They use PHP templates and the old-school WordPress Customizer interface.<\/p>\n

This path offers developers more control behind the scenes. We can build features that serve a narrow use case and better protect against breakage. It has often been used to customize the content area of pages with layouts that weren\u2019t easily replicated inside WordPress \u2013 without using a page builder, at least.<\/p>\n

The Classic Editor\u2019s limitations sometimes made this approach a necessity. Adding modern block-based layouts to the mix changes things, however.<\/p>\n

Classic themes can use blocks within pages and posts. Plus, modern conveniences like the Query Loop block enable functionality that was previously difficult to achieve without writing code. And we can\u2019t forget about the many custom block plugins on the market. They offer advanced design and dynamic data options.<\/p>\n

Blocks can also be locked within the editor, which prevents a mischievous client from doing too much damage. So, there goes the client-proofing argument.<\/p>\n

This limits what can be accomplished with PHP theme templates. It\u2019s still possible to embed a layout via hard-coding or using a block template part. However, that doesn\u2019t seem as practical.<\/p>\n

Blocks can usually do the job without the need for additional PHP, HTML, or CSS. It feels like one less reason to use a from-scratch theme.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n

Building From Scratch Goes Deeper Than Design<\/span><\/h2>\n

OK, perhaps any design advantages of from-scratch themes have evaporated. There are still some potential gains to be had.<\/p>\n

The third-party theme market continues to struggle with bloatware. Classic themes aiming to be everything to everyone aren\u2019t always the best option. Some offer poor performance and accessibility. You are also ceding control of dependencies and security.<\/p>\n

This is where a custom theme shines. You can create a purpose-driven product that addresses a specific need. There are numerous benefits to this approach.<\/p>\n

The use of JavaScript is a prime example. Going custom means not having to load scripts you don\u2019t need. Scripts can be optimized to avoid performance hits. Plus, you won\u2019t have to wait for a theme author to update those dependencies.<\/p>\n

There is also something to be said about version control. Third-party themes can release updates at any time. That can clash with the needs of large enterprise projects. A new feature could cause unexpected issues. A custom theme allows developers to avoid this risk and add features as needed.<\/p>\n

Theme settings and customization are another area where building from scratch has an advantage. You can develop settings to suit any need and limit what users can do. Third-party themes may offer too much access. Maybe client-proofing is still a thing, after all?<\/p>\n

\"Custom<\/p>\n

When To Go Custom<\/span><\/h2>\n

Despite the rise of block-based websites, there are still reasons to start from scratch. So, when should you consider going this route?<\/p>\n

Maybe the use cases are narrower these days. But custom themes are helpful when you have a strict set of parameters to work within, such as:<\/p>\n

    \n
  • You need version control of the theme\u2019s styles and features;<\/li>\n
  • Some items need to be hard-coded into a template;<\/li>\n
  • You want custom settings not included with a third-party theme;<\/li>\n
  • You need tight theme integration with plugins like WooCommerce;<\/li>\n
  • There are strict accessibility requirements;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    These are all reasons to forego the theme ecosystem and build it yourself. You\u2019ll have a result that, for better or worse, a commercial product can\u2019t match. Why? Because it\u2019s tailored to your project\u2019s needs. You don\u2019t have to settle.<\/p>\n

    This does put the onus on you to test and maintain the theme, however. It includes updating dependencies and ensuring compatibility with the latest version of PHP. There are also security considerations. So, think carefully about what\u2019s best for you and your project.<\/p>\n

    The bottom line is that, even with changes in WordPress theme development, going custom is still a viable option. That is, as long as you\u2019re doing it for the right reasons.<\/p>\n

    Written by Eric Karkovack<\/span><\/h2>\n

    Eric Karkovack is a web designer and WordPress expert with over two decades of experience. You can visit his business site here. He recently started a writing service for WordPress products: WP Product Writeup. He also has an opinion on just about every subject. You can follow his rants on Bluesky @karks.com.<\/p>\n

    Read more articles by Eric Karkovack<\/p>\n

    FAQs about Custom WordPress Themes<\/h2>\n
      \n
    1. \n What are the benefits of using custom WordPress themes?<\/strong><\/p>\n

      Custom WordPress themes allow for tailored features, enhanced performance, and control over design without bloatware.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

    2. \n When should I consider building a custom theme?<\/strong><\/p>\n

      Consider building a custom theme when you have strict requirements, need specific functionalities not offered by third-party themes, or require tight integration with plugins.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

    3. \n Can I use blocks in classic themes?<\/strong><\/p>\n

      Yes, classic themes can incorporate blocks within pages and posts, allowing for some level of modern design flexibility.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

    4. \n What makes a custom theme more secure?<\/strong><\/p>\n

      A custom theme allows you to control dependencies and updates, reducing the risks associated with third-party themes that may introduce vulnerabilities.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

    5. \n How do I maintain a custom theme?<\/strong><\/p>\n

      Maintenance involves regular updates, testing for compatibility with WordPress core updates, and ensuring security practices are followed.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      Top<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

      The Relevance of Custom WordPress Themes in 2023 WordPress boasts an unrivaled flexibility. There\u2019s an opportunity to customize every component of your website. That certainly applies to themes. For years, some developers opted to build custom themes from (or near) scratch. Whether starting from a blank screen or a starter framework like Underscores (rest in […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":17955,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/speckyboy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/from-scratch-wp-themes-thumb.webp","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[59],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-17954","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-wordpress"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/kmfinfotech.com\/blogs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17954","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/kmfinfotech.com\/blogs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/kmfinfotech.com\/blogs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kmfinfotech.com\/blogs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kmfinfotech.com\/blogs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=17954"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/kmfinfotech.com\/blogs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17954\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":17956,"href":"https:\/\/kmfinfotech.com\/blogs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17954\/revisions\/17956"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kmfinfotech.com\/blogs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/17955"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/kmfinfotech.com\/blogs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=17954"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kmfinfotech.com\/blogs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=17954"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kmfinfotech.com\/blogs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=17954"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}