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.
Click Here to Visit the Official StudioPress Website
Whirlwind Genesis WordPress Theme Video By Me
End of the StudioPress Genesis WordPress Theme Review
