When you spend a little time working with a WordPress website, especially if you ever shop for a new theme for your site, you’re likely to come across the term “theme framework” or “WordPress framework.” A theme framework is a library of code that makes it relatively easy for a user to develop a unique look on their WordPress website or use a design straight from a zip file. It often makes certain plugins obsolete, and it can reduce page loading times. A framework can only be used on self-hosted WordPress websites, so if your site ends in .wordpress.com, you’ll be unable to use them.
Do I need to use a WordPress framework?
I think it’s not necessary when you’re just starting out using WordPress, but as you start to grow your blog and increase usability and functionality, you’ll hanker after a framework. If you’re an existing client of mine, you’ll already know that you have a framework and are reaping the many benefits of using one.
So what does a framework do?
Theme frameworks typically use WordPress’ “parent theme” and “child theme” capabilities to allow you to permanently change the foundation of the theme without having to manually change it (or mess with the code), so when you want to create a new look, it’s much faster, and you don’t lose much (if any) functionality. This list of frameworks is in no particular order and includes a list of the frameworks I’ve used, my experiences with it, for each I’ve tried to include a downside where possible.
1. Genesis
Genesis is one of the leading premium WordPress frameworks, and for good reason. The code is clean and optimized for SEO purposes, and the framework follows best WordPress security practices. The Genesis framework automatically updates itself, so your website code will always be current and fully optimized. My site Sarkemedia.com is built using Genesis and the Minimal Pro child theme.
There are many tutorials and educational resources available on the StudioPress/Genesis website to get you up and running quickly. Of course the real bonus of this WordPress framework is that it comes with unlimited lifetime support – this can be extremely valuable for a website owner who is not completely comfortable with the ins and outs of WordPress and needs additional support. SEO and Google authoring are built into Genesis, making it easy for you to benefit from improved search rankings. Genesis can be taken further with dynamic themes and the Genesis Extender plugin. Both of which I highly recommend. Many of the child themes are HTML5 ready, mobile responsive and come with rich snippets ready to be activated. SEO is built in, and you can use one of the child themes directly from the zip file. When you buy the StudioPress Pro Plus pack, you get all the themes they have available and those they add in the future. There is also a community of developers who sell child themes that they create for Genesis. Support is excellent; I recently had a query that was answered in two hours! I spent 3 days trying to work it out myself and the support team answered it in just two hours!
The downside? Some child themes take a background image and no size is given, this can make it very hard to get the right size image as your background. You may have to experiment a bit to get what you want. Not too much downside, but the creators have put a lot of time and effort into making things as easy as possible for their users.
2. Thesis 2.0
Thesis is another leading premium WordPress theme framework. Thesis was my first love of all WordPress frameworks. The Thesis framework is built on a three-pronged approach to site design: “Boxes” allow you to add discreet elements of functionality to a new website you’re building without having to write any code yourself. “Skins” provide you with a drag and drop interface to create the sort of look and feel you want. One of the skins on offer is the “Social Trigger” skin, so if you’re a Derek Halpern fan, you can hack the Social Trigger skin to something awesome. I don’t recommend that you use any design straight out of the box based on someone else’s blog, always add your own branding and customizations so that the skin is completely yours. “Packages” allow you to make precise CSS customizations without having to know any CSS code or ever have to dig into a style sheet. Thesis was the first framework to include rich snippets. Rich snippets will only get more powerful as time goes on and is something that gives Thesis an advantage when it comes to search. In short, I have found Thesis to lead the way when it comes to functionality and the speed with which all of the tools are implemented in their framework.
SEO is built into Thesis along with typography and Google fonts, so you can customize pretty much any area of your website… The downside? Thesis can blow your head with the functionality and time that it takes, using a skin will help speed things up, but I found that when I use Thesis I spend hours in WordPress heaven, just tinkering… Our transportation website was on Thesis for a very long time, I recently moved it to Genesis so my husband could tinker with it. When it comes to downsides, there aren’t many.
3. Thematic
Thematic is a very popular and open source WordPress theme development framework. Thematic has a top notch starter theme, and it can also be used to create custom themes from scratch. The framework includes 13 widget ready areas in the basic framework, a grid layout, and the possibility of even more in child themes. The framework is fully compatible with leading SEO plug-ins like All-in-One SEO and Platinum SEO. Thematic also offers options for multi-author blogging which is very handy. There are paid child themes available if you don’t want to create something yourself. Thermatic is built by Automattic, the creators of WordPress, so you can expect this framework to be incredibly powerful and versatile with no loss of performance. The downside? I haven’t had the opportunity to use this theme, so I can’t say. And yes, it is a legitimate downside!
4. Reverie
Revari is another popular free design framework for WordPress. Reverie leverages the power of the increasingly popular HTML5 boilerplate standard to help users create fast, dynamic, and responsive WordPress themes. The framework allows for tight and easy integration with Bbpress 2.0, which may be invaluable if you want to incorporate bulletin board functionality on your WordPress site. Reverie automatically uses a media query to adjust display for smart phones and tablets, and the framework is specifically optimized for the iPhone and iPod. If you anticipate a significant number of your users visiting your site from these devices, you may want to consider this framework. The downside? This framework has a very specific purpose – mobile users. If you’re not getting a lot of mobile traffic, it may not be useful for you.
5. Whiteboard
Speaking of frameworks optimized for mobile devices… Whiteboard is another powerful free option. Whiteboard is built using leading CSS3 and LESS framework standards, which ensures that your WordPress site content will be as attractive and functional on smart phones and tablets as it is on a traditional computer monitor. The underlying Whiteboard code is well noted and commented, so if you or your development staff ever need a deeper look inside the inner workings of the framework, it will be easy to find the information you need. Finally, Whiteboard claims to use more dynamic classes and IDs than any other WordPress framework, which has the potential to help you with your SEO efforts. The downside? If you’re not familiar with those classes, you may not appreciate what this framework can do.
6. Howling Dog Theme Framework
The Howling Dog Theme Framework (and its “K9 Control Panel”) is a premium framework that offers a great deal of control over the visual aspects of your custom theme. You can quickly adjust any layout parameters to achieve exactly the look you have in mind, and your typography options come with built in support for the Cufon library of free fonts. This framework also has a special focus on making sure that any themes you come up with will display properly on just about any type of browser your visitor may have. About 2 years ago I put Howling Dog through its paces, and I found it nothing short of awesome! I found it very intuitive to use, and the support is extensive. Genesis Dynamic reminds me a lot of the Howling Dog framework, and if you want the functionality of Dynamic but don’t have the budget, get Howling Dog, and start saving up for even more functionality for their premium themes or the paid version of the framework.
The downside? Some of the functionality you may like is in the paid version, that said, both Genesis and Thesis are paid (premium) frameworks, so this isn’t really a downside at all.
7. Upthemes Framework
Upthemes is a WordPress framework that takes a different approach to custom theming. Instead of starting from scratch, you can use the Upthemes framework in conjunction with a WordPress theme that you already have. You can use Upthemes to customize your theme’s layout and color schemes, quickly change header and background images and colors, and take a quick live preview of any changes to make sure they are what you are looking for. If you are completely new to working with a framework, this makes a great starting point, although truth be told you may never really want to leave. I can’t think of any other themes that are worth it, other than the small cost, as this is a premium framework. But you shouldn’t be put off by the cost, if that helps pay for the amazing support and keeps your framework in good working order.
8. Pagelines
Pagelines. A popular “drag and drop” premium framework that makes it easy for users who want to stay away from as much code as possible to create custom themes for their sites. Pricing is on a monthly basis and of course includes awesome support. The framework is mobile ready, uses Google fonts and has good eCommerce capabilities. The overall impression from Pagelines sleek and responsive WordPress website.
Downsides? A monthly subscription might be off-putting for some, but the design choices will probably make up for it! I think there might be a free version with limited functionality, but having never used Pagelines I couldn’t find it on their website. Having said that, if you want a simple, sleek design, this might be the framework for you that looks professional without touching a single line of code.
9. Woo Themes
Woo Themes. Are incredibly popular with the WordPress/ecommerce crowd. The framework is free with some themes and of course there is a range of premium themes that are easily customisable. Woo Themes operate a club system as well as the option to buy individual themes. They also have a range of premium WordPress plugins that will enable you to create online courses etc. I have worked a little with Woo Themes and their framework, but I feel I have been spoilt by Genesis and Thesis and I prefer working with them. But there is a huge amount of people who absolutely adore Woo and all the things it can do (custom shortcodes and auto thumbnail resizer etc), so it is well worth checking out. They even have extensions for Amazon payments so your customer never has to leave their site… yes the extensions are well worth checking out.
Downsides? Cost can be a big factor with Woo, new licensing means support is due after your license expires, but don’t let that put you off trying out their framework and a huge range of themes. The Canvas theme is popular with lots of bloggers and small business owners.
10. Headway Themes
Headway was one of the original drag and drop frameworks like Pageline. HTML 5 ready, you can drag and drop things until your heart’s content. I had a thing with Headway a few years ago, but sadly we never got going. Like Thesis, everything is customisable from the dashboard, and if you have a bit of time you can really create something spectacular. Like Thesis, StudioPress and Woo, the code is search engine friendly, although I have to be honest and say that if the frameworks I mentioned weren’t search friendly with good, solid code they wouldn’t have been mentioned. Again, the support is good and the visual editor is highly recommended!
Downsides? Getting used to the grid layout after using Thesis/StudioPress was awkward and time consuming; however a lot of people pick it up quickly and have found it quite intuitive. WordPress frameworks can make your website or blog look pretty awesome in a short amount of time, they can improve how you are found in search and they can enable your WordPress website to do so much more. All you need is time to create! Since frameworks use child themes, you shouldn’t lose any customisations to your design when you want to upgrade.
Read Also:
- How To Install A WordPress Theme
- How To Create WordPress Posts And Pages
- IntroducingThe WordPress Admin Panel (Dashboard)
- How To Install WordPress
- Things You Will Need To Build A WordPress Website
- Something About WordPress
- Why Start Blogging With WordPress
- Top 10 WordPress Plugin For Blog
- Which One To Start Blogging With? Difference Between WordPress VS Blogger
Leave a Reply