Essential - Responsive Minimal WordPress Theme 3.0

Essential is a specialized "one-page" and multipage WordPress theme built for those who value extreme minimalism and high performance. Developed by RiccardoBorchi, it is designed to strip away the "noise" of typical corporate templates, focusing on high-impact typography and clean whitespace.

As of late 2025, Essential is often cited as a benchmark for "One-Page" performance, frequently used by freelancers and small creative studios who need a site that loads in under a second.

## Core Minimalist Features

One-Page & Multipurpose: While famous for its elegant one-page scrolling transitions, it supports standard multi-page structures for those who need a dedicated blog or shop.

Optimized for Mobile Touch: Unlike themes that simply "shrink" for mobile, Essential includes specialized code for touch and swipe gestures, making it feel like a native mobile app.

WPBakery Integration: It uses a tailored version of WPBakery Page Builder, allowing you to build custom layouts without the "bloat" that often comes with heavier page builders.

Retina-Ready Graphics: Every element, from the icons to the border lines, is vector-based or high-DPI compatible, ensuring it looks razor-sharp on the latest 2025 smartphone screens.

Setup Wizard: Includes a "2-minute" setup wizard that imports all demo content, fonts, and settings instantly, making it one of the easiest themes to launch from scratch.

## Technical Specifications

Feature

Details

Developer

RiccardoBorchi (Elite Author)

Last Updated

Maintained for WP 6.8+ Compatibility

Page Builder

WPBakery (Included)

Framework

Bootstrap 4.x / 5.x

Primary Style

One-Page Minimalist

## Essential vs. MinimalShop vs. Photology

To help you choose between your recently mentioned themes:

Choose Essential if: You want a single, long-scrolling page that looks like a high-end designer's resume. It’s best for people who want one "Perfect" page rather than a deep, complex site.

Choose MinimalShop if: Your primary goal is Selling. MinimalShop has the specific checkout and inventory features that Essential lacks.

Choose Photology if: You are a Photographer. Essential is great for text and design; Photology is better for handling large, high-resolution photo galleries.

### Strategy: The "Less is More" Approach

If you are using Essential, the biggest mistake is adding too much content. In 2025, search engines like Google prioritize "Clarity" and "Core Web Vitals." By keeping your Essential site focused on 3–5 core sections (e.g., Intro, Services, Portfolio, Contact), you maintain the theme's high speed, which can significantly boost your mobile search rankings.

Would you like me to help you map out the sections for a "One-Page" landing site using Essential, or do you need a comparison between this and the new Twenty Twenty-Five default theme?

Essential Theme Setup Guide

This video provides a practical look at how modern minimalist themes are configured to ensure they remain fast and mobile-responsive in the current web environment.