A child theme is a WordPress theme that inherits the design and functionality of another theme — called the parent theme — while allowing you to make customisations on top of it. Any changes you make in the child theme are separate from the parent, which means they are not overwritten when the parent theme updates.
When a child theme is useful
If you are using a paid or pre-built theme and want to customise it — adjust colours, change layouts, add custom code — a child theme is the right way to do it. Without one, any customisations you make directly to the parent theme will be lost the next time that theme updates.
Child themes are a practical solution for businesses using off-the-shelf themes that need to be adapted to their brand.
When you do not need one
If your site runs on a custom-built theme — one developed specifically for your business — you do not need a child theme. Custom themes are already yours entirely. There is no parent theme to protect changes from.
A question worth asking your developer
If you are using a paid theme and someone has customised it for you, it is worth asking: “Did you use a child theme?” If the answer is no, your customisations are at risk every time the theme updates.
WP Clinic builds custom WordPress themes that do not require child themes. Learn more about our theme development service. Explore more in the WordPress knowledge base.