Why are so many web designers and online businesses switching to WordPress themes from StudioPress? Total awesomeness is one reason, but let’s get a bit more specific.
StudioPress themes come in two pieces: the Genesis Framework and the child theme. You need the framework or the child theme won’t work.
That’s because they’ve separated the two main parts of web design programming. There’s the part that contains the code that tells WordPress what to do, and the part that tells WordPress what to look like: function and design.
The framework handles the function, and the child theme handles the design.
This is good for you because it means they can update the framework and it doesn’t change how your site looks to visitors.
(StudioPress is one of two theme design companies I rely on — the other is Elegant Themes. Because I like and trust their themes, I’ve joined with them as an affiliate. That means, if you purchase a theme from a link on this site, I earn a commission. It allows me offer my WordPress setup services at such low rates.)
StudioPress and Elegant Themes, were recently declared co-winners in a review of major theme designers. According to the reviewer, “Both companies offer consistently reliable products that take the hassle out of setting up and using a WordPress theme.”
Here are some of the technical reasons for StudioPress’ success:
- SEO Optimization is built in
- Designs are mobile responsive and use HTML5
- Unlimited support and updates, and once you buy the framework and theme you can use them on as many sites as you want
- The best security
- Updates are fast and easy
- Easy to customize
- Lots of layout options
- Custom developers available to create exactly the look you want
Pricing
For your initial purchase of the framework and one child theme, you’ll pay $99.95. (A few child themes — those that haven’t yet been upgraded to HTML5, are priced at $79.95.)
If you want to go back and buy another child theme, you don’t need the framework. You’ll see a button that asks, “are you a returning customer?” Click it to log into your StudioPress account, and you’ll see discounted pricing for the theme you’re looking at.
Appearance
Out of the box, StudioPress themes offer some easy ways to change the page layout and color scheme. If you want more customization, widgets and plugins help. But if you’re looking for a way to change and customize lots of elements at once, you’ll need to use CSS.
The good news is, with 50 themes available as of this writing, there are lots of options to choose from.
Security
The security of my WordPress sites is very important to me, and here StudioPress shines. Their code is rock solid and they undergo a voluntary audit by the security company Sucuri on a regular basis. Their code complies with best practices.
Browser Compatibility
Some themes look great in one browser but fall apart in another. Or they’ll look good on a tablet but you can’t read them on a smart phone.
StudioPress themes work across all the major browsers, and they’re not designing anything that’s not mobile responsive. Any theme with “Pro” in the name and the HTML5 symbol is completely cross-browser compatible and mobile responsive. (Older themes may not be, so if that’s an important feature for you be sure to check it out.)
Choice of Colors and Fonts
Choosing colors is easy with StudioPress themes.
Open the Customize menu to select your background color. You can choose one of the preset colors at the bottom, or type in the RGB code if you know it, or use the tool to find the color you want.
If your theme offers the option of different color schemes, select the Genesis/Theme Settings menu, then go to the Color Style area. Open the dropdown box to select the color scheme you want.
Unfortunately, StudioPress doesn’t give you an easy way to change fonts except in the Prose theme. However, they do have some excellent tutorials on how to use Google fonts on your WordPress site.
Summary
Rock solid, dependable, easy to customize, and lots of different themes to choose from, that’s StudioPress.
Thanks for post.
You answered questions like what’s is child theme, and framework, that’s very helpful for a newbie like me. So while using same framework, we can use different child themes, for different websites.