Website Template Reviews

Genesis WordPress Theme Review: A StudioPress WP Theme

This is my All-Time Favorite WordPress Theme

Hi there,

This is my unofficial review of what is by far my favorite WordPress theme. If you wish to go straight to the StudioPress website, click here.

Why am I reviewing the Genesis Theme?

I review WordPress themes I like and use. I love the Genesis themes by StudioPress. I use them the most for my websites (including this very site – it’s the Streamline child theme on the Genesis framework). The flexibility, style, and SEO integration is simply second-to-none in my view.

What is the Genesis Theme Framework by StudioPress?

Genesis Theme is StudioPress’ first parent/child theme framework. This means theme upgrades are no hassle and you will see a lot of great new child theme designs (in addition to the impressive collection already available) that simply plug into the StudioPress Genesis theme framework.

This new framework is so simple to use and it lets you change your site’s theme with simply installing a new child theme of your choice. Once you install the Genesis theme (it’s the same process as installing any theme), then all you need to do is install and activate the child theme of your choice and your site is ready to go. If you wish to change the look and feel, simply install a different child theme and your site is untouched except for the new theme styling.

This may sound complicated, but I assure you it’s not. Once you use the Genesis theme framework, you’ll be very pleased with how simple it really is.

Genesis Theme Features

You get all the great StudioPress features as before, plus more functionality and a LOT more themes to choose from. Key features include:

The terrific StudioPress style and design.
Built SEO options so you don’t need an SEO plugin. StudioPress knows SEO and it’s obvious once you check out the SEO options panel. Pretty much every SEO optimization option you need is included.
Navigation options are many. Along with integration with the new WordPress custom menus, you can use the Genesis page and category widgets to specify navigation anywhere there are widgets.
6 page layouts to use within your site or blog.
Total control on your horizontal menu bars with which pages and categories to include. Don’t want horizontal navigation? No problem, just one click removes the navigation bar in the Genesis options panel.
Customized footers is very simple with the hooks platform integrated in the Genesis Framework. You do need to install the Genesis Simple Hooks plugin though (free plugin).
Multiple widget placement options. In the home pages in some of the themes give you numerous widget locations. You can build more widget locations the Genesis Simple Sidebars plugin for even more layout options and widget placements.
Outstanding forum support. If you’re new to building WordPress blogs, you can learn a ton in the StudioPress forum.
Still a bit concerned how complicated this could be? Don’t worry, there are also numerous step-by-step tutorials for many features to get your site up and running in no time.

Child Theme Marketplace

Because child themes have much less code, developing new child themes is much simpler and faster. The result, many child themes to choose from including StudioPress’ classic themes. Click here to see the array of fantastic child themes. More are rolled out all the time.

Genesis Theme Benefits

Save a ton of money on building a new website. For the price of a theme and the Genesis Framework ($79.95) you can build as many websites as you wish with that theme. Or get the Pro Plus Membership for $249.95 and have access to every theme now and released in the future (in my view the best premium WP theme deal available).
Build sites fast. Once you get familiar with StudioPress themes, you can crank out sites in less than an hour (I do routinely). Of course, if you do some customization of the theme, more time is required.
Great for commercial and personal blogging sites. Check out the themes and you can see they are very nicely designed for business websites. However, you can easily convert them to a personal blog format.
Easy on-site SEO configuration. If you’re tired of messing around with SEO plugins, then this theme framework is for you. You have total control of all the on-site configuration you wish and need for optimal search engine optimization.

Genesis Theme review criticisms

Forum support doesn’t help out too much with customization – could improve in this department.
StudioPress showcase should give a disclaimer that many of the showcase websites were customized by people who knew coding. Most of the showcase themes could not be set up by beginners.

Genesis Theme Price

$59.95 for the Genesis framework, and then $24.95 per child theme ($79.95 for both 1 child theme and the Genesis Theme Framework). If you become a Pro Plus Member by purchasing the all-theme package for $249.95, you get the following:

lifetime access to all present themes, AND
future themes, including child themes, AND
lifetime forum access.

If you buy a single theme license and wish to upgrade, no problem, you only pay the difference.

License Granted with a Genesis Purchase

Plain English: as with all StudioPress themes, you can use the Genesis Theme to build as many sites as you want. You can sell those sites, sell on those sites, and/or give away those sites. You can also customize the theme as much as you want.

Technical terms: GPL license.

That concludes this Genesis Theme Review – a StudioPress WordPress 2.0 template. Click below to test run this new StudioPress offering.

Genesis Theme Demo

Click Here to Visit the Official StudioPress Website

Whirlwind Genesis WordPress Theme Video By Me

End of the StudioPress Genesis WordPress Theme Review

Filed Under: StudioPress Tagged With: child themes, StudioPress, WordPress

Review: iThemes Builder WordPress Theme Review

Builder Theme Review – an iThemes Premium WordPress Theme

The ultimate build my own website WordPress theme

Product Overview	Builder Theme gives you total flexibility to customize the layout for individual pages, posts, and categories. For example, if you want a full width page for your “About” page, and then a 3 column layout for your blog page, Builder lets you do that. You can also specify whether you want a header on all, some, or none of your pages. You can create an unlimited number of layouts – no restrictions using many widget placement options. Because Builder uses widgets for customization, you can insert any type of media almost anywhere on the page. Adding a customized header is as simple as uploading it in the options panel. You don’t need to do so with the code. You do not need to know php code to build a unique website and blog with Builder. You can easily include and exclude pages and/or categories in the navigation modules (i.e. menu bars).
Mix and match themes	You can easily change the look and feel without losing your previous look and feel. This gives you the option to mix and match your website look and feel without having to start over. This is possible with Builder using “child theme” options in WordPress.
Widget capable	Yes.
Support	When you buy Builder theme, you get complete access to the Builder forum moderated by iThemes for one year. The forum is where you can post questions or read questions and answers set out by other Builder Theme users.You also get full access to numerous video tutorials stepping you through setting up and customizing your website.
Plugin included	iThemes’ Billboard plugin is included. This plugin is particularly useful for placing banners / images in and throughout your website and blog.
Media integration	Full media capability: images, video, text, audio, slideshows.
Build my own website – types of sites you can build	Builder Theme’s flexibility makes it perfect for building almost any type of website. It specifically has a blog, static, and magazine layout to choose from a pull down menu. However, with it’s dynamic use of widgets, you can set up almost any style of website and blog – whether a small business corporate site, a magazine site, a video site, portfolio page, e-commerce pages, and more.
Customization limitations	None. You have full liberty to customize Builder Theme as much or as little as you like.
Builder theme Specifications	Builder theme is for WordPress.org. You cannot use Builder on WordPress.com (WordPress-hosted blogs and websites). When you use Builder Theme, you must get a self-hosted domain set up. Bluehost is one of WordPress’ recommended domain host services.
About iThemes	iThemes designs WordPress themes. It’s considered a Premium WordPress theme developer with over 30 premium themes developed to date. iThemes is located in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and was founded by Cory Miller.
Additional iTheme Services	iThemes offers numerous services to help you out such as theme installation, theme customization, training, and consulting.
Price	$127 gives you complete unrestricted use of the Builder theme. This means you can build as many websites and blogs as you wish for one price. If you want access to all of iThemes’ themes, you can purchase full access for $499.95.
Refund	No.

iThemes Home Page

When you think about the cost for hiring a website developer and designer, learning to develop and design your own website(s) is an excellent investment in time. The Builder Theme eliminates your having to learn how to develop websites and blogs. Using Builder, all you need to do is design the look and feel and the layout.

If your primary question is “what should I use to build my own website?”, then check out Builder Theme by iThemes. You’ll be impressed.

The result: you can create as many of your own websites and blogs as you want which will give you awesome marketing capabilities on the internet.

This blog has an affiliate arrangement with iThemes and Bluehost.

Filed Under: iThemes Tagged With: iThemes, WordPress

eBusiness Theme for WordPress by ElegantThemes – Review

eBusiness Theme Features	9 unique color schemes. 3 styles to choose from. Widget-use footer area for full footer customization. Loads of customization options in the WordPress admin panel (see screen shot of eBusiness admin panel below). Blog “recent posts” box on home page. Drop-down menus. Admin panel customization of the homepage, all navigation, color, ad management, and layouts. Crisp typography. Blog-style home page option. SEO ready. Auto-sizing of thumbnail images. Advertising-ready. PSD files inlcuded. Threaded comments. Tabless design.
eBusiness Theme Demo	Yes – click here for eBusiness Theme demo (click into Gallery on the top menu bar)
Widget Ready?	Yes.
Testimonials	I would have paid even more! These themes are great! Nick sure knows his stuff. I have customized a few of his themes, and they are so easy to work with! He is always right here to back his customers up as well. Thanks Nick! - AmandaGero Amazing designs and top-notch service I was looking for a good, functional theme for my website and I stumbled upon Elegant Themes. Not only do I love the designs but the help and service is absolutely worth it alone. With great designs and a price you cant beat anywhere else, Elegant Themes is perfect for my needs. - Jeremy
ElegantThemes Support	Support forum, e-mail contact, and video tutorials
Advantages	Theme options panel customization is very comprehensive for quick and thorough customization. Personal opinion: I like the eBusiness look for business websites. I use it as the theme for 3 of my business websites. Crisp look including typography.
Complaints about the eBusiness Theme	CSS Style sheet could be formatted with more spacing for easier navigation. Navigation bar links don’t wrap which means either coding customization or limiting the number of navigation bar links. It’s not too big of deal because there are drop-down menus.
Customization Restrictions	None with the license. Again, as with all WordPress themes, the theme comes pre-loaded with limited customization options. Any additional customization requires CSS and/or php coding knowledge.
Installation Details	Cross browser friendly. Simply upload the “theme” folder to your server. You can upload it from the WordPress “Add New Themes” panel.
eBusiness Theme Price	$19.95 for 1 year’s full unlimited access to all 30 ElegantThemes.
Licensing	Unlimited domains for all themes downloaded. $19.95 gives you full access to download all the available themes for the year. Able to sell websites created with eBusiness theme and/or use the eBusiness theme for clients.

Screenshot of the eBusiness WordPress epanel

Example Website using eBusiness theme:

Filed Under: ElegantThemes

Review: Refraction Theme by RocketTheme for WordPress

Refraction Theme by RocketTheme for WordPress

Refraction Theme Features	Released November 2009. 14 widget locations on the home page. 10 widget locations on all pages other than the home page. 10 artistic styles to choose from. RocketTheme is known for a crisp artistic style in their themes (and Joomla templates). refraction theme is no exception. Color chooser admin-panel lets you easily customize the colors throughout this WordPress theme. Transparent theme which brings out the background. Use the background styles provided, or install your own. Front page (aka home page) post thumbnails. Search engine optimized theme; the main content loads before sidebars. Slideshow powered by RocketTheme’s mootools. You can insert images, video, and/or music. Multiple transitions. You can insert titles and captions. Customize each slide by category. Tabbed widgets for efficient use of space. Multiple typography options. Widgetized footer giving you control of footer content. Fully translatable. 9 tutorials to assist set up and customization.
Widget Ready?	Yes
Testimonials	“I believe my membership with rockettheme is some of the best money I’ve ever spent.” ~wingz007 “I am very happy to tell you that your templates are incredible and no there is no comparison with anything else in this market… “ ~Sacha
Support	Access to RocketTheme forum. 9 tutorials: installation, configuration, logo editing, RokBox, RokStories, RokNewsFlash, Translating theme, Using Typography, and Widgets.
Main Website Function	With the multiple widget placement and slide show on the home page, Refraction Theme could easily function as both a website and/or blog. You can remove the featured content and using widgets on the home page create a fully static home page for a website function rather than blog.
Customization Restrictions	None.
Specifications	WordPress version 2.8 FireFox3.5, Opera 10, Safari 4, IE6,7,8 Compatible
Installation Details	You can install Refraction theme via the WordPress admin theme installer.
About RocketTheme	Founded by Andy Miller in 2004. RocketTheme originally built only Joomla templates. In 2009 RocketTheme released its first WordPress theme. RocketTheme also develops phpBB3 templates and extensions to accompany the templates and themes it develops.
Price	RocketTheme pricing is the membership model. Pricing plans are as follows: $50 gets you 2 WordPress themes, any of RocketTheme’s WordPress themes. Note, 2 means 2 theme installs only (i.e. 2 websites or 2 blogs). $50 does not give you unlimited number of sites. You have 90 days access to your 2 themes. $75 gets you 3 WordPress themes (any); again for 3 domains only. You have 365 days access to your 3 themes. $250 gets you an unlimited number of themes to use on an unlimited number of domains for 365 days. Note: legally registered non-profit organizations can use an entitlement on as many installs as they wish.
License	GPL compliant. RocketTheme uses the term “entitlements” for purchase. For instance, $50 gets you two entitlements. 1 entitlement is one theme on 1 domain. The important point is the limited number of domains you can use an entitlement (unless your membership is the unlimited entitlement). Can remove all RocketTheme branding and copyright notices.

Refraction Theme demo

Filed Under: RocketTheme WP Tagged With: RocketTheme

Best Realtor WordPress Theme – WP for Real Estate: AgentPress

If you’re a realtor I bet you already have a website and/or blog. That’s good, but it’s just a start. If you hired a service to build it for you, then you know that getting a realtor website going is expensive. You also likely pay ongoing fees.

But, imagine if you could build your own website and blogs for no cost and build them in less than a day? You can and I’ll show you how with the best realtor WordPress theme available. First I’ll answer the question why you might want more than one or two websites. The reason is you can target your prospective clients much more effectively if you build sites that cater to them specifically.

Let me illustrate with an example. Suppose you sell both condominiums and detached homes in an urban area. You know the demographics of those people. You also know that the benefits offered by a condominium and detached home are different. Instead of writing about both in one website, why not have one site dedicated to condominiums in your area and another site dedicated to detached homes. You can break it down even further such as waterfront, estates, home for under $100,000, etc.

These separate microsites serve two important purposes. First, you look like the condo expert. Second, you can target condo buyers easier when your website is dedicated to condo buyers and sellers.

I can tell you that the best thing I ever learned in running an offline service-based business is learning how to build my own websites and blogs.

Now to the heart of the matter.

The best WordPress theme for real estate agents is …

AgentPress by StudioPress. Click here to visit the AgentPress official page to see it for yourself.

This realtor WordPress theme is built on the StudioPress Genesis Framework which results in outstanding flexibility, customization, and extremely easy-to-use features. Click here to read my Genesis theme review.

The AgentPress theme by StudioPress is an ideal WordPress theme for realtors / real estate agents because it’s designed for optimally featuring your listings. In addition, you can incorporate a blog and your visitors can search your listings with a multi-variable property search function.

Because this is a WordPress theme, you can add as much content as you like whenever you like without knowing any computer / html code. In fact, you can get this theme for your real estate business up and running without knowing any computer / html code. It’s incredibly easy-to-use and very professional looking.

SEO Integration for Search Engine Rankings

This realtor WordPress theme comes with a built-in SEO configuration panel which makes it very easy for you to properly optimize your real estate website and blog for search engine rankings. You still need to do some off-site SEO or hire it out, but the on-site SEO is very easy to properly configure with AgentPress theme by WordPress.

Navigation Made Easy for Your Prospective Real Estate Clients

StudioPress themes offer numerous methods for you to customize the navigation menus in your website and blog. Additionally, the AgentPress theme offers a property search function that is ideal for having your website visitors search your property listings.

Ramp Up Your Realtor Marketing With Built-In Twitter

AgentPress includes a built-in Twitter widget that you can connect with your Twitter feed so your posts and tweets are tweeted to your followers. If you’re into social media marketing, this is a must-have feature on all your realtor websites.

Incredible Property Photograph Display Options

When you check out the demo of this theme, you can see all the options for displaying your property listings. You also have the option to have large featured property listings at the top of the home page that can be configured as a slideshow creating a dynamic-looking website.

What if you simply want a WordPress blog?

Perhaps you already have an established realtor website with all your listings. If that’s the case, then consider starting a blog or a real estate WordPress website on something topical that targets your prospective clients. You could write a blog about local businesses, attractions, schools, the economy, detached home prices, condo-living, staging, etc. If this is where you wish to take your realtor marketing, the consider any one of the StudioPress WordPress themes (my favorite WP theme developer by far). You convert pretty much any of the themes into a personal blog very easily or use the default layout.

Take your real estate agent services marketing to the next level with a AgentPress or any one of the StudioPress themes today. Once you build one site, you’ll be able to take complete control of your Online realtor marketing campaign.

Click here to visit the official AgentPress website

End of the “Best Realtor WordPress Theme – WP for Real Estate: AgentPress” post.

Filed Under: WP for Business and Services Tagged With: AgentPress

Review: Corporate Theme by StudioPress – A WordPress Theme

Corporate Theme by StudioPress Premium WordPress Themes:

Corporate Theme At-a-Glance	Corporate theme caters to small business websites with a highly customizable home page. You can create a 3 column blog page layout. Auto-size thumbnail management which automatically re-sizes images so the images can be thumbnail size at the top of your blog posts. Images are a real asset in polishing the look and style of a blog post. Threaded comment capability included; no additional set up required. You’re given the Photoshop files so you can work off them for enhanced modification to suit your needs. Lifetime access to the forum about Corporate Theme. StudioPress’ forum has over 12,000 members and is very well moderated by approved StudioPress developers. Full access to all future updates with a single purchase.
Widget Ready?	Yes. Corporate Theme offers multiple widget positions on its home page. This gives you flexibility in laying out your small business website home page.
Testimonials	“It is a true testament to how nicely thought out the StudioPress themes are, that a non-coding person like myself can produce professional looking site without too much difficulty… “ ~David, Totally IncorrectSource: Studiopress.com “What really sold me on going with one of your themes was being able to try it with your test site. I’ve used many themes that end up being a mess to actually work with – so getting to actually play around with it was incredibly useful.” ~Sharon, Techafina Source: Studiopress.com “Brian and the moderators at StudioPress not only provide FANTASTIC support and encouragement, they go beyond the call of duty! Their themes are so amazing and professional and user friendly…” ~D’Vorah, Send Out Cards Source: Studiopress.com
Support	StudioPress provides a dedicated forum for each theme it sells. Corporate Theme is no exception. When you purchase Corporate Theme, you have full lifetime access to the Corporate Theme that is very well moderated. Typically you’ll receive a response within 24 to 48 hours. You also have lifetime access to a series of tutorials specifically for the Corporate Theme.
Main Website Design	Corporate Theme is designed to create websites for business, and in particular is excellent for small business.
Advantages	Multiple home page widget placement. Corporate Theme has a very polished and refined style. It is not a rough skeleton; instead you purchase a ready-to-use stylish website. You could be up and running with your business website in no time. Layout options such as full-width (except the home page) and blog layouts for greater customization. Excellent licensing and simple pricing models. Essentially you buy one theme for $60 or all the themes for $199.95. You need not pay ongoing fees for forum access or future themes for the all-access package. This is a very nice feature.
Complaints about the Corporate Theme	Only 2 colors available in the options panel. However, you can customize the colors as much as you like in the easy-to-use CSS style sheet. Home page doesn’t have a full-width option in the options panel (need to change the code for a full-width site). Please be advised that the slide show that you see in the demo version is a WordPress plugin you must install. It’s very simple to set up and there is a tutorial by StudioPress to guide you through it. Simply take notice that the slide show is not included.
Customization Restrictions	You can customize, modify, vary, or change as much or as little as you choose. StudioPress has very easy-to-understand lecensing for its themes – basically no restrictions.
About	StudioPress was founded by Brian Gardner. Presently StudioPress offers 14 premium WordPress Themes.
Installation Details	Corporate Theme is for WordPress.org (not WordPress.com). With Corporate Theme you will need a self-hosted domain. Typically people pay for hosting with a host provider such as bluehost.
Other Services	You can hire approved StudioPress WordPress developers / designers at an hourly rate.
Price	$60 for the Corporate Theme. $199.99 for access to all 14 StudioPress themes. If you start with purchasing one theme for $60 and then decide to buy the all-theme package, you need only pay an additional $140 (not the full $199.95). Also, for the all-package option, you receive all future themes for no additional cost. You also have lifetime access to the forum (for your specific theme or all forums if you buy the all-package option).
Licencing	When you purchase, you receive a GPL license. You can use Corporate theme for as many websites and blogs as you wish, including using it for clients and selling websites using the Corporate Theme.
Refund	No.

Check out a full StudioPress Corporate Theme DEMO here.

The following is a screenshot of the Corporate theme home page. Clicking on it will take you to the demo page.

Filed Under: StudioPress Tagged With: StudioPress, WordPress

OnTheGo Theme for WordPress by ElegantThemes – Review

OnTheGo Theme Features	WordPress premium theme. Stylish illustration-style website / blog theme. 4 unique color schemes. 3 widget placements at the bottom of the theme (not in the sidebar) for awesome content flexibility and customization. Significant easy-to-implement customization options in the theme options panel. Stylish scrolling blog posts box on the home page. Both pages and categories on horizontal menus are drop-down capable. Crisp typography – as expected by ElegantThemes. You have the option for the home page to be in a blog style. It’s set up for search engine optimization. Auto-management of thumbnail images. Has a built-in advertising module. Photoshop files included. Capable of threaded-commenting. Code does not use tables.
Theme Demo	Yes – click here and go into the Gallery (on top menu bar)
Is It Widget Ready?	Yes.
On The Go Feedback (source: ElegantThemes)	…Since joining Nick has gone above and beyond to answer my questions! I’m sure he gets tired of me at times but was always very patient and polite. The forums here were great for finding answers to some of my questions too, without having to post! - Martha Amazing designs and top-notch service I was looking for a good, functional theme for my website and I stumbled upon Elegant Themes. Not only do I love the designs but the help and service is absolutely worth it alone. With great designs and a price you cant beat anywhere else, Elegant Themes is perfect for my needs. - Jeremy
ElegantThemes Support	Extensive forum, e-mail form through website, and video tutorials.
Advantages	ElegantThemes, in my view, builds themes that have two outstanding features: they are very easily highly customizable, and the images and typography are very crisp for a polished look and feel.
Complaints about the OnTheGo Theme	CSS sheet is difficult to navigate – could use more spacing.
Customization Restrictions	No design limitations with the license. You can use the default style or change it as much as you like. Keep in mind that with all WordPress themes, the themes, although pre-loaded with some customization options (ElegantThemes has quite a few customization options), additional modification requires CSS and/or php coding work.
Installation Details	Cross browser friendly. Upload the “theme” folder to your server. You can install the OnTheGo theme while in your WordPress “Add New Themes” panel.
OnTheGo Price	$19.95 for unlimited access to all 30 ElegantThemes for 1 year (30 as of the date this post was published).
License	Your $19.95 membership price gives you unlimited number of uses of any and all ElegantThemes, including the latest OnTheGo theme by ElegantThemes.