I decided to first buy Artisteer in 2009 when I started looking into building my own websites. In fact, that was when I was using Joomla mostly (before I switched to WordPress).
I built a few websites with Artisteer at that time for my Joomla projects, but once I switched to WordPress, I stopped using Artisteer and used pre-built WordPress themes.
Then Artisteer 3.0 came along and I decided to give it a try again. I had to pay for the upgrade, but am happy I did so. The greatest improvement in Artisteer 3.0 that I can report in this Artisteer review is the much improved image and design library for customizing a theme or website. The options are phenomenal.
What is Artisteer?
It’s software you download which makes it easy to design all kinds of website templates such as:
- WordPress themes
- Joomla templates
- Drupal templates
- HTML website templates
- ASP templates
- Blogger templates
- DotNetNuke skins.
Artisteer is true drag and drop website design and development. You do NOT need to know a single line of code to publish a website built with Artisteer.
How does Artisteer work?
Click and choose; drag and drop. That’s it. Rather than show you a gazillion screenshots, check out my whirlwind video illustrating how easy it is to create a design in Artisteer.
My Artisteer Video Tour
What if you’re color and design challenged?
With Artisteer, not only does it take care of all the coding, but you can browze dozens (maybe hundreds) of pre-built designs. You can modify those pre-built designs. If you go this route, you can build websites very quickly.
Sample site I built with Artisteer 3.0
My latest effort is a WordPress theme I’m giving away. You can read more about my free WordPress theme give-away here.
You can also check out the Artisteer library of templates and themes available to use as-is or modify in Artisteer (or via coding).
Artisteer 3.0 updates
By now you’re probably realizing this Artisteer review is about creating WordPress themes more than its other templates. That’s because I work mostly with WordPress. However, Artisteer version 3.0 includes some excellent updates, especially for HTML template creation.
1. Larger image and design feature library
I couldn’t believe all the new images (header and background) as well as design features (textures, color schemes, etc.) for any part of your website theme or template. It’s so many you’ll be scratching your head about what images and other design features to use.
2. Use pre-built Artisteer themes and templates
Artisteer now offers a library of themes and templates you can upload into Artisteer to tweak to your liking. If a theme or template is right for your site, you can have a website built that much faster.
3. Create your content in Artisteer
I don’t build HTML websites, but I played with it and if you do build HTML websites, Artisteer is a great solution. You can actually input your content in Artisteer so when you export your template, your site is ready to go.
4. HTML website block freedom
You can create great HTML static home pages because you can create block areas for customized layouts.
My Artisteer dislikes
I’ve yet to find a perfect product. Artisteer is cool and fun to use, but regrettably there are some elements I don’t like. This Artisteer review would be incomplete if I didn’t set out my dislikes.
Artisteer Dislike #1: Artisteer is NOT good for creating pages for WordPress themes.
My biggest beef is the inability to create home pages that I like for business websites. If you want a blog, Artisteer is perfect. If you want to create a great business website with a static home page, it’s not so easy. You’ll have to create a new page template and design it with coding.
However, I wasn’t the only Artisteer user that had the same concern. There’s an Artisteer add-on (for WordPress themes only) you can buy called Templateer which provides 10 page templates, 8 layout options for those templates, plus quite a bit options to further customize your WordPress theme. The important offering of Templateer is the ability to create better home pages. I used Templateer to create my first free WordPress theme I’m giving away.
Artisteer Dislike #2: Widget area limitations.
One of the reasons I love the Builder theme, Catalyst theme, and Headway themes is you can create widget areas anywhere on any page or post. I think Artisteer is missing out on a huge opportunity in not offering this capability for its WordPress theme creation.
The reason it’s disappointing Artisteer doesn’t offer custom widget area creation is it does with its HTML website templates. If you use Artisteer to create static HTML websites, you can add custom blocks pretty much anywhere.
Artisteer Dislike #3: Free upgrades for only 1 year
I would prefer free upgrades for life, but instead you only get free upgrades for 1 year. Hence I had to pay for my recent Artisteer 3.0 upgrade.
Other Artisteer questions?
Does Artisteer work on Mac?
Yes and no. It’s in Beta now. Stay tuned.
Does buying Artisteer include support?
Artisteer has a HUGE community of active users that participate on the Artisteer forum. There are also Artisteer moderators who answer questions. The Artisteer support forum is excellent. I’ve used it a lot lately. You can search by platform (i.e. WordPress, Joomla, etc.) so you get relevant information.
You don’t need to buy or order Artisteer in order to use the forum. You can check out the Artisteer forum for yourself to see the activity and help you can expect.
Can you try Artisteer before you buy Artisteer?
Yes. You can try before you buy Artisteer. Click here for a free Artisteer trial. Just download Artisteer and you can use it as much as you like. However, your creations will have a watermark on them which pretty much renders them unusable. You have to buy in order to remove the watermark.
How many themes and templates can you create using Artisteer?
As many as you like.
Can you sell or give away Artisteer templates or use them for clients?
You bet. In fact you can use all the images in the library for your sites and client sites. However, you cannot use header foreground images on themes and templates you create for distribution (i.e. sell or give away). For example, you can use the header foreground images on your sites and client sites. You simply can’t use header foreground images on themes and templates you sell or give away as a download.
What’s not included when you buy Artisteer?
If you order Artisteer, you still need a service to host your websites. Artisteer simply exports your themes and templates so that you can upload them into your server. For hosting, I like Bluehost and Hostgator.
Is Artisteer a viable option for website designers?
Some say yes, some say no. This debate will never cease. The same debate revolves around using any template for clients.
My view is that templates and website builders like Artisteer give website designers the opportunity to offer affordable website design services. The fact is many businesses can’t afford to spend $5,000 or more on a custom website design. I know, because I’m a small business owner and not too long ago I didn’t have those resources.
Artisteer is a tool for design. It has limitations for sure. But, as a tool, a great designer can still create excellent websites that look great and do it faster.
Therefore, if a client is pleased with a site, it generates business, and is inexpensive – why shouldn’t website designers use Artisteer and/or templates?
Artisteer vs. pre-built themes or templates?
Should you use Artisteer or go out and buy a pre-built theme or template?
This is a question I’ve struggled with over the years. I use pre-built themes and templates because I don’t mind using a design other people use.
However, if you’re not skilled with coding, like designing and want a custom website, then Artisteer is certainly a viable option for you.
Fortunately you can download Artisteer for free and give it a try. If you don’t like it, don’t buy Artisteer.
Is Artisteer good for business websites?
Yes and no. If you use it for HTML websites, then yes. If for WordPress themes, then no, unless you know how to create new page templates in WordPress and/or you buy the Templateer add-on for Artisteer.
Do you have to pay for Artisteer upgrades?
If you buy Artisteer, you get free upgrades for 1 year. I don’t particularly like this because I had to pay for my Artisteer 3.0 upgrade.
How do you buy Artisteer?
Click here to try Artisteer for free.
Once you download Artisteer, which you do before paying anything, you’ll be prompted to input a license key which you’ll receive upon purchase. If you decide to try before you buy, you’ll be prompted for the trial version.
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Hey great post. This really helped me because I have been struggling (big time) with how to get the html site that I built on artisteer onto WP. So far no good options so I have been exploring templates but don’t know code. I am thinking about trying templateer but a little unsure because just had a bad experience with another WP template so don’t like not being able to see the admin page or even have a demo / trial (not your fault obviously I’m just saying). But I also like that you gave reviewed of other WP templates that someone like myself without coding knowledge might want to try. Just one suggestion: for a techy blog in particular, either allowing the dates on your posts or at least writing the date inside the blog itself would be helpful because I find myself wondering if this is current or, you know, a few years old. Thanks either way!!
Hi Tina,
I’ve used Templateer with Artisteer. It’s a good combination. However, Templateer only works with WordPress Artisteer themes (not HTML templates with Artisteer).
I think the HTML template builder in Artisteer is the best because you can create your pages anyway you like with any layout you like. The WordPress layout design is more limiting.
Good suggestion on the dates. I’ll consider it. I agree it’s probably helpful for readers.