If you’ve searched for WordPress themes, you’ve probably come across Envato Elements for WordPress. It’s a subscription-based service offering a massive collection of digital assets, including themes, templates, and plugins. While it sounds like a dream for web design, I’ve got plenty of reasons why I don’t use Envato Elements for WordPress themes—or recommend them.
WordPress themes control how your site looks and feels. You can go with a pre-made theme (quick and easy) or a custom-built one (more work, but totally worth it). Let’s break down the difference and, more importantly, why I don’t mess with their Envato Element themes.
What Are WordPress Themes?
A WordPress theme is basically your site’s outfit. It changes the layout, colors, fonts, and structure. Themes can include:
- Layout options
- Custom backgrounds
- Built-in page builders
- Social media integration
- Typography, headers, footers, and more
Some themes come with multiple page templates (like ‘About Us’ and ‘Contact’), custom widgets (for things like sidebars), and support for Elementor (a drag-and-drop page builder).
Themes make it easy to set up a site fast, but not all themes are created equal. Some are built with clean, efficient code, while others are a complete mess under the hood. Choosing the right one can mean the difference between a fast, functional site and a slow, buggy nightmare.
The Appeal of Pre-Made WordPress Themes
A lot of people go with pre-made themes because:
- They’re easy to install
- Some are free
- They look nice right out of the box
Sounds great, right? But there’s a catch. Actually, there are a lot of catches.
The Hidden Downsides of Envato Pre-Made Themes
1. Customization is a Pain
Pre-made themes promise flexibility, but you’re often stuck with limited options. Want to tweak something outside their settings? Better know how to code.
Even when customization is possible, it can involve fighting with complicated theme settings, custom CSS, or even modifying the theme files directly. If you’re not a developer, this can be overwhelming and time-consuming.
2. Poor Quality Code
A lot of these themes are bloated with unnecessary code, which leads to:
- Security risks
- Harder maintenance
- Compatibility issues with plugins
Because many pre-made themes are built to appeal to as many people as possible, they often come packed with features you don’t need. All that extra code can slow your site down and make it more vulnerable to hackers.
3. Theme Lock-in
Switching themes later? Good luck. Some themes are so tied to their own systems that changing to another one means losing content, formatting, and sometimes functionality.
This is especially true for themes that rely heavily on custom short codes or proprietary page builders. Once you switch themes, your content can end up looking like a pile of broken code.
4. Not as Cheap as They Seem
A $60 theme sounds like a steal until you realize you need to hire a developer to fix things. Suddenly, that “affordable” theme isn’t so affordable. On top of that, some themes require premium plugins to unlock all their features, adding to the overall cost. What started as a budget-friendly option can quickly become an expensive headache.
5. Same Look, Different Sites
Popular themes get used by thousands of sites. Your “unique” site? Yeah, it looks just like hundreds of others. If you want your website to stand out, a generic theme isn’t the way to go. Even with customization, it’s hard to escape that “template” feel.
6. SEO and Speed Issues
A lot of these themes aren’t built with SEO in mind, and their bloated code slows down your site. Slow sites hurt rankings and frustrate visitors. Google prioritizes fast-loading, well-structured websites. If your theme is poorly coded or packed with unnecessary features, it’s gonna drag your site down in search rankings.
7. Mobile Headaches
Many themes say they’re mobile-friendly but end up looking terrible on phones and tablets. If your site isn’t fully responsive, you’ll lose traffic and potential customers. Fixing mobile issues can take time and technical skill—another hidden cost of a bad theme.
Why I Don’t Use Envato (or recommend it)
Back in my early web development days, I made the mistake of using Envato WordPress themes more than once. At first, they seemed like a great deal, polished designs, lots of features, and a one-time purchase. But every single time, I ran into the same problems. The themes were packed with a ridiculous number of outdated plugins, many of which I didn’t even need. Some were abandoned by their developers, meaning they were security risks just sitting on my site. Others caused conflicts with WordPress updates, breaking key features and forcing me to spend hours troubleshooting.
One of the worst experiences I had was with a client’s site. He bought a highly-rated theme, only to realize it was so bloated with extra code and unnecessary scripts that it slowed the site to a crawl. And when we tried to remove some of the built-in features, the whole theme crashed. I ended up having to rebuild the site from scratch using a lightweight, well-coded theme. The sad part? This is still happening today. Envato themes continue to be packed with excessive plugins, poor coding, and outdated junk that only leads to headaches.
5 Reasons Why I stayed Away!
Envato Elements and ThemeForest are popular for WordPress themes, but here’s why I stay away:
1. Envato Inconsistent Quality
Envato lets pretty much anyone sell themes. That means some are great, but a lot are buggy, bloated, or just plain bad. Unless you know exactly what to look for, it’s a gamble. I’ve seen sites break after a simple WordPress update because the theme developer disappeared. If your theme isn’t maintained properly, you’re stuck fixing issues yourself or hiring someone to do it for you.
2. No Real Support
Bought a theme and need help? You might get support, but it’s often slow or nonexistent. Good luck getting answers when your site breaks. Some theme authors only offer support for a few months after purchase unless you pay extra. Even then, support can be limited and frustrating.
3. Envato Theme Bloat is Real
Many of these themes come packed with features you’ll never use, making your site unnecessarily slow. From built-in sliders to excessive short codes, these extra features can slow down your site, create conflicts with plugins, and make your site harder to manage in the long run.
4. Licensing Confusion
Some people don’t read the fine print and end up violating licensing rules. Others assume a theme purchase means unlimited use—it doesn’t. If you’re not careful, you could find yourself in legal trouble for using assets incorrectly, or you might have to repurchase a license if your site setup changes.
5. Updates? Maybe. Maybe Not.
If a theme developer bails, you’re stuck with an outdated theme. Security risks, compatibility issues—none of it’s fun. An abandoned theme can leave you vulnerable to hacks and break your site as WordPress updates roll out.
Better Alternatives to Envato Themes
If you want a solid theme, go for:
- GeneratePress (lightweight and fast and my go-to)
- Astra (great for page builders)
- Kadence (highly customizable without the bloat)
- Genesis Framework (solid for developers)
These themes are reliable, well-coded, and won’t slow your site down.
Custom WordPress Themes: The Best Investment
If you’re serious about your website, a custom theme is the way to go. Here’s why:
- You get exactly what you need (no bloat, no unnecessary features)
- Better performance (faster load times, better SEO)
- Full control (no weird limitations)
- Scalability (grow your site without running into theme restrictions)
Final Thoughts
Pre-made themes can work, but they come with risks—especially from places like Envato. If you wanna keep things simple and avoid headaches, go for a lightweight, well-coded theme from a trusted source. And if you’re serious about your website, investing in a custom theme will save you time, money, and stress in the long run.
