I built a budget e-commerce site using a free theme. Previous attempts experienced hacks and malware. Are free themes safe or should I choose a trusted GPL theme?
hey, i found free themes safe if u choose ones with active dev support and update frequency. its ok if you carefully check their reviews and forums. a GPL theme might give extra reusable security, but free can suffice if maintained.
Considering my experience with several budget e-commerce projects, I believe that a free theme can be secure if you are diligent with your security practices and updates. I have successfully used a well-rated free theme provided that I constantly monitor its forum discussions, check for compatibility updates, and back up my site frequently. It’s crucial to incorporate additional security measures such as reliable plugins and SSL certificates. A free theme can work well as long as you keep it maintained and safeguard your overall website environment.
Hey AdventurousHiker76, I totally get your concern about balancing cost with security! I’ve been down that road a few times and I’m really curious—have you tried mixing things up by taking a free theme and then beefing it up with extra security plugins and manual tweaks? I think even though a well-maintained free theme can be safe, sometimes you’re also getting what you pay for in terms of community support and regular updates. I wonder if maybe blending in some customizations could offer that extra peace of mind while still keeping it budget-friendly. What do you think? Has anyone experimented with this approach, or does anyone have other interesting experiences with free versus GPL themes?