What are WordPress Premium Theme Frameworks?
The word “framework” has been popping up allot lately in WordPress discussions and many have asked me to explain what that means and what effect, if any, it will have on their site.
What the increase in framework development means is more robust functionality within your WordPress Dashboard through each framework’s own dashboard. This pretty much makes a whole bunch of features that used to require coding knowledge or ability to successfully weed through PHP files no longer necessary.
To quote WordPress Codex:
“A theme framework is a theme that is designed to be a flexible foundation that can serve as a parent theme for building child themes. The use of WordPress theme frameworks may ease theme development by reducing the volume of work which may be needed in creating a backbone for your theme (usually by using PHP and WordPress Template Tags).”
What’s neat about frameworks is it allows premium theme developers to create a core theme that all subsequent themes, known as “child” themes can then play off of.
It allows you to have the same dashboard across all the developer’s themes while allowing him or her to integrate cool features and functionality across all their new themes (child themes) that you can then integrate and config with point and click ease.
A couple frameworks I have played with:
- StudioPress has the Genesis Framework.
- iThemes has their Builder Framework.
- PliablePress has Chameleon to be introduced May 10th. Michael Martin of PliablePress has a great article on frameworks and what he considered when creating Chameleon.
While you are there, you can get on his mailing list for a $25 Discount when Chameleon is introduced. I am excited about this particular framework because Michael has assured me his themes are going to be more visually creative and out of the box — meaning they aren’t going to be as boxy as most themes. Something I’ve been looking for and waiting for — for years!
Each of these premium theme developers have created their own framework to base their future themes upon. This allows easy updating when necessary, while allowing users to keep the same interface they have become accustomed too.
2010 is looking like a breakout year for WordPress premium theme framework development and use — exciting times lie ahead!
At your service,
Judith
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Hey Judith, I think I am about ready to take the WP dive!
I keep looking at the Lifestyle Child Theme & Genesis Framework from StudioPress and like all the variations that they have in their showcase.
Do you think that that one would be a good first one to take my site to?
It looks pretty customizable and I would really need that.
Hey, Karissa:
Good for you! I just know you’ll have a blast and your clients will love what you can do for them and more importantly, what they can do themselves.
Yes, LifeStyle is perfect for you to get your feet wet! I’ve been working with Brian’s themes from way back when and they are solid, quality and supported. I’ve found, for my clients, his themes are the easiest for them to use and the way he lays out his CSS makes learning for newbies a whole bunch less intimidating.
Beyond all that, the StudioPress support forums are invaluable! Lots of great guys and gals over there willing and able to answer any questions you may have. Let me know how it goes!