9 Best WordPress Themes For Freelance Writers (Free + Premium)

Want to work with leading brands, charge higher rates, and work on your own terms as a freelance writer? Then, create a professional website that positions you as an expert content creator in your niche.

You can use your writing website to build your personal brand, share your work samples, and highlight client testimonials as social proof.

And here’s the best part.

You can build a fully responsive and eye-catching website using any WordPress theme in just a few hours. No need to hire expensive designers and coders or learn technical skills.

But to make your job even easier, I’ve shortlisted the best free and premium WordPress themes designed specifically to help freelance writers, copywriters, authors, and content creators build their portfolio websites.

Let’s dive in.

To start a website, you’ll also need a domain and web hosting service, and install your WordPress theme. I’ve explained all those steps in my detailed website setup guide. Click Here To Read

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Quick Verdict | What’s The Best WordPress Theme For Writers?

How To Choose The Best WordPress Theme For Writers?

What exactly should you look for in a WordPress theme? It must look attractive, of course. But what else? Let me explain.

The best free or premium WordPress themes for writers have the following qualities.

• Security: Your WordPress theme needs to have the highest security standards because loosely coded and poorly structured themes are among the top reasons WordPress sites get hacked. So, make sure the theme you choose is regularly updated and has no known security issues.
• Speed: If your WordPress theme takes too long to load, your visitors will bounce away, and your search rankings will suffer. So make sure you choose a fast theme.
• Responsive: More than 60% of global internet traffic comes from mobile devices. So make sure you choose a responsive WordPress theme for your writing website so that mobile visitors can view it easily.

• Demo Sites: The best WordPress themes come with demo sites for various use cases. So, instead of configuring the theme from scratch, you can activate a demo site and replace its images and content with yours, saving you a lot of time.
• Customization: The best WordPress themes allow you to customize every section of the design to your liking. So, ensure the theme you choose comes with a visual editor or drag & drop customization options that do not require coding.
• Blog: Your blog posts are critical in helping you drive SEO traffic and establish your authority. So, the blog section of your WordPress theme needs to be as good as the homepage.
• Testimonials: Your WordPress theme should have the option to add testimonials with the client’s picture and website URL.
• Featured Clients: As a writer, you must add a “Featured In”, “Featured Clients”, or “As Seen In” section on your site’s homepage featuring the logos of your best clients and the publications that have featured your work or guest posts.
• Full-Width Header Image: Any theme you choose must have a full-width header image where you can use your picture and a call to action button with a form. This is critical for your personal branding and lead generation.
• Portfolio: Choose a theme that has a dedicated portfolio section where you can feature your best work samples for prospective clients.
• Support: The best WordPress themes come with detailed documentation, tutorials, FAQs, and active customer support.

Top Free + Premium WordPress Themes For Freelance Writers

So, now that you know what to look for in a theme, here’s my list of the best WordPress themes for freelance writers, authors, and copywriters.

1. Avada | Best Overall

With 850K+ downloads and thousands of 5-star reviews, Avada is among the most popular WordPress themes of all time.

Over the years, it has evolved from a simple WordPress theme into a complete website builder with drag & drop website elements, widgets, and content blocks, using which you can build your site without writing a single line of code.

Once you install Avada, you need to enter your purchase code to activate its full features. After that, it walks you through the whole process of creating your website.

Avada’s simplicity, ease of use, and stylish pre-built websites are a big reason for its success.

I consider it the best premium WordPress theme for freelance writers because it is easy to configure and has everything you need to brand yourself as an expert content creator.

For example, you can create a stylish header image with a CTA button to build your email list, create an “As Seen In” section to add client logos, feature client testimonials, and create an attractive portfolio section on your site.

So whether you’re looking to create a one-page lead generation website or a conventional multi-page website, Avada is my top recommendation.

Avada WordPress Website Examples

Visit these websites to see Avada in action.

Avada Example #1: Word Candy

Word Candy is a content writing agency for WordPress and web hosting companies. It has used Avada to create its website and is a great example for freelance content writers.

Avada Example #2: Simple Logic

Simple Logic is a digital marketing company that uses Avada that has used Avada for its website.

2. Salient | Best For Customization

If you want to build fully customized jaw-dropping website designs, Salient is the WordPress theme for you.

Like Avada, I’ve used Salient for several years and always loved its robust features and detailed customization options.

It is a fully responsive and multi-purpose WordPress theme with 400+ stunning demo websites that you can import, activate, and customize in just a few clicks. Its designs include stylish one-page sites, freelance portfolio sites, and conventional agency designs.

Salient also allows you to create video headers and animated backgrounds from your homepage. But I don’t recommend using them for freelance websites as they can pull down your site’s performance.

Overall, if you’re looking to WOW your prospects with a world-class website, Salient has all the features you need.

Salient WordPress Website Examples

Visit these websites to see Salient in action.

Salient Example #1:Wayward kind

Wayward Kind, a digital marketing company, has used Salient to create a sleek website.

Salient Example #2:Robert herjavec

Robert Herjavec, a well-known business influencer, has created his personal brand website with Salient.

3. Astra | Best Free WordPress Theme

Astra is among the most popular WordPress theme of all time, with over 2 million downloads. Plus, it’s free, which is hard to believe when you see the features it offers.

With Astra, you get 240+ world-class website designs that you can import, customize and use on your site. It seamlessly integrates with Elementor, Beaver Builder, and Gutenburg allowing you to customize your site’s design with drag & drop options.

Astra is lightweight and ticks all the website performance boxes. This means you can create stylish websites without worrying about page speed.

You can customize its header and footer, embed forms, feature client testimonials, and add CTAs.

And if you need more features, you can upgrade to Astra Pro, its premium version.

But honestly, Astra is by far the best free WordPress theme I’ve seen, and it offers enough features to help you build your freelancer writing website easily.

Astra WordPress Website Examples

Visit these websites to see Astra in action.

Astra Example #1:Samar Owais

Samar Owais is a leading email copywriter and strategist, and her Astra website is a perfect example for consultants and freelancers.

Astra Example #2:Somoswir

Here’s a creative and fun agency website built with Astra.

4. Neve

Neve is another free WordPress theme with all the features you need to build a professional freelance writing website.

It also has a premium version, but you won’t need it because the free one offers enough options.

I like Neve because it’s a lightweight, multi-purpose, and easily customizable theme. In addition, the free version includes several pre-built sites, including freelancer templates, that you can easily download to set up your site.

Neve works with page builders like Elementor, Beaver, and Gutenburg. So, customizing it is pretty simple with drag & drop options, content blocks, and widgets.

Neve WordPress Website Examples

Visit these websites to see Neve in action.

Neve Example #1:CodeInWP

CodeInWP is a popular blog in the WordPress and “make money online” niche.

Neve Example #2:learningseo

LearningSEO is a directory of links to the best SEO guides on the internet.

5. Elementor

Elementor is a WordPress website builder, not a theme. But it comes with dozens of ready-to-use website templates.

There are three ways to use Elementor.

• You can download and install Elementor’s free version and use its drag & drop content blocks, stock images, custom fonts, and widgets to modify any free or premium WordPress theme.
• Install Elementor’s free version and use one of its free website kits.
• Or purchase a premium Elemtor website kit and replace its content with yours.

Since Elementor is among the most powerful WordPress site builders, it allows you to completely transform any theme or template using drag & drop content blocks and widgets.

The entire website design process is based on visual elements and doesn’t require any coding skills. So, you can create your site exactly as you want without being a professional designer.

Elementor WordPress Website Examples

Visit these websites to see Elementor in action.

Elementor Example #1:Bretler

Bretler’s jaw-dropping website design is an excellent example of what’s possible with Elementor.

Elementor Example #2:Barrel marketing

It’s hard to believe this site’s design has been created with a drag & drop visual site builder.

6. Divi

Divi is perhaps the most popular premium WordPress theme of all time. The theme comes with Divi’s powerful drag & drop visual website builder that makes website designing a breeze.

You can visually edit, customize, and modify any elements of the Divi theme and make it look exactly as you want.

Divi is packed with features and gives you access to thousands of stock images, fonts, icons, widgets, and dozens of starter templates, wireframes, and demo sites.

For example, here’s a tailor-made Divi template for freelance writers, copywriters, and content creators.

In addition, Divi has a vast community of designers, website owners, and consultants who are always willing to exchange ideas and solve any theme-related problems.

Divi WordPress Website Examples

Some of the world’s most popular websites use Divi.

Divi Example #1: Wordstream

Wordstream is a leading agency and a top blog in the search marketing niche.

Divi Example #2: zemanta

I love the professional and clean look of this site created with Divi.

7. BeTheme

BeTheme has been among the top five most downloaded premium themes on Themeforest since 2014, and you can clearly see why.

It is a lightweight, multi-purpose, and feature-rich theme that includes everything you need to create eye-catching freelance writing portfolio sites.

BeTheme includes a robust drag & drop website builder, countless content blocks, custom fonts, a built-in translator, WooCommerce integration, and 650+ website themes.

So, you’ll never be short of design ideas when creating your site with BeTheme.

BeTheme WordPress Website Examples

I couldn’t find any freelance writing sites for this theme, but here are a couple of impressive business site designs you can easily use for your portfolio site as well.

BeTheme Example #1:sitrack

BeTheme Example #2: Comporium

8. Freelancer Plus

If you’re looking for a stylish free WordPress theme for your freelance writing site, Freelancer Plus is an excellent option to consider.

It is designed specifically for modern freelance writers, copywriters, content marketers, and consultants and provides you with enough customization and design freedom to create a professional lead-generation website for your business.

It also has a pro version, but I think it’s not worth buying as you can get way more features and support at the same price with one of the other themes on this list.

But as a free WordPress theme, it’s a pretty good option.

9. Pitch

Pitch is a premium WordPress theme designed for creative agencies, freelancers, and service providers.

It is lightweight, responsive, and has several eye-catching templates you can install and use to set up your site.

It has dedicated widgets and sections for customer testimonials and client logos to display on your site.

In addition, it has a pretty neat backend admin section where all the critical site configuration options are listed. So, if you’re looking for a premium freelance writing theme, Pitch is also worth considering.

Ready To Start Your Freelance Writing Site?

I know what you’re thinking.

Most of the premium themes on this list offer similar functions and creative space. So, it’s hard to decide which one’s right for you.

I can understand. They’re all high-quality themes, and you won’t make a wrong choice by choosing any of them.

But if you take my word, here are my top picks from this list based on my experience.

Choose Avada if you’re looking for a premium theme. Why? Because it offers the perfect balance of customization and simplicity that freelancers need. Plus, it is frequently updated and offers excellent customer support.

But if you want a free theme, choosing Astra is a no-brainer. Why? Because it is unbelievably good for a free theme and offers more options than many premium themes. Plus, I love its freelancer templates and one-click demo site installation feature.

And finally, if you want to play with your site’s appearance and customize things, both Divi and Elementor are great options. But if I had to choose one website builder, I’d go with Divi.