Websites built on content management systems (CMS) such as WordPress require users to install themes. Themes determine the appearance of the website and influence how end-users view the content. Every website wants an attractive theme.

When selecting a template, the owner of a WordPress website can choose from paid themes, free themes provided by WordPress, or hacked themes known as ‘nulled’ themes.

Paid themes are expensive, whilst free themes are unattractive. This is why many users opt for ‘nulled’ themes. These themes are cracked versions of the original paid themes, which are sold illegally online at low prices or can be downloaded for free.

Nulled themes can be harmful and may affect a website. They are also one of the reasons why websites are targeted by hackers.

Below, we outline some of the most important reasons why you should not use outdated or ‘nulled’ themes on your WordPress website.

Website security and data protection

Providers of ‘zero-cost’ templates hack into the originally paid themes using malicious code. These themes usually contain a backdoor, and using them may allow hackers to gain access via the backdoor and infect the website.

Some providers of ‘nulled’ templates deliberately maintain backdoors so that backlinks to a website can be obtained from the site without the owner’s knowledge. In addition, they may redirect websites with spammy links, place adverts on the site, or even completely hack the site and demand a ransom for it.

If an SSL certificate has been installed to protect sensitive information sent to the website by visitors, and the template is faulty, SSL security is not required. Malicious code may allow hackers to steal personal data, such as contact details, usernames, passwords and email addresses.

You should therefore avoid using ‘nulled’ WordPress themes, as these pose a serious threat to the security and data protection of your WordPress website.

‘Nulled’ templates are illegal

‘Nulled’ themes are stolen, paid themes that do not have any licence or copyright protection. Providers of ‘nulled’ themes remove copyright-protected resources in order to make them free or offer them at a lower price. There is no doubt that ‘nulled’ themes are stolen paid themes, and all stolen templates are illegal.

The use of cracked themes may result in legal action if the original developers lodge a complaint.

Website owners often make the mistake of installing themes like this, particularly when they are launching a new blog or do not want to invest much in the site.

No support is available from the template developers

When purchasing services related to a website, the provider’s assistance is essential. However, no one accepts responsibility if you purchase a ‘blank’ theme. Therefore, there is no one to provide support should a problem arise with the theme.

Even experienced WordPress users need support and documentation to use themes properly. With premium WordPress themes, you can get support from the theme developers, so you’ll never get stuck.

The template’s developers provide detailed documentation and support to ensure that users can carry out their tasks with ease.

Nulled templates affect SEO

Whilst you are doing everything you can to achieve a high ranking in search engines such as Google and Bing, ‘nulled’ themes have a devastating effect on your website’s SEO. As mentioned above, ‘nulled’ themes contain spam links and malicious code. By using these spam links, attackers can redirect your visitors to other websites that may cause them harm. As a result, users will start to leave your website.

Google ranks websites containing malicious content lower in its search engine results. You may be using hundreds of SEO tricks and blogging tips to improve your website’s ranking, but you have no idea that the hacked template you’re using isn’t optimising your website.

Unable to update WordPress

WordPress regularly releases new versions to improve the platform’s security, fix bugs, enhance performance and add new features. However, if you are using a compromised WordPress theme, you will be unable to update your WordPress version. This is another major problem that can lead to your website being hacked, as attackers are aware of the vulnerabilities in older versions. Furthermore, without updating WordPress, you will be unable to improve performance.