A premium theme will provide better support, unlimited free updates, more design options and will make it easier for you to create your own custom branded site.
Here’s a list of recommended Premium themes.
Thesis
Thesis is regarded as one of the best frameworks and used by a large majority of WordPress Developers. This framework offers built in seo which is fairly easy to configure. Thesis offers quality coding which helps improve search engine optimization.
Chris Pearson, the creator, is regarded as one of the best in the industry and the next upgrade is expected to be significant. The rumor is, the price will be huge as well. Excellent technical support provided by paid experts offers outstanding long term value for users.
Suited for developers and designers unless you also install a skin.
StudioPress
Brian Gardner is the creator of StudioPress and names his premium framework, Genesis. StudioPress offers the best range of themes to compliment their excellent framework.
No.1 for themes, StudioPress represents the best value for money and you can use one theme as many times as you like. Genesis is the most popular and affordable framework available and personally endorsed by Matt Mullenweg (WordPress founder). Check out their awesome range of themes.
Suited for anyone wanting to make a great looking website & blog for any purpose with minimal design skills. Note: Brian Gardiner has created a great range of tutorials to help you customize these themes.
WOO Themes
Woo Themes have created over 100 themes since starting in 2008. A year ago they where pretty average in my opinion however i now believe they produce some excellent themes as good as any in the industry.
One of the great things about Woo is you can demo any theme for 14 days free. No credit card required. This is the best way to see for yourself if the theme you see in their list makes you happy on your own WordPress site.
Experience the popular options panel for yourself on any number of Woo Themes.
The Woo framework is one of the best in the industry for features, even as good as Thesis & Genesis in this respect.
How To Choose a Theme
There’s lots of free and premium WordPress themes (templates) to choose from so how do you know which one to choose?
Consider these questions before you make a decision:
- Free themes are used by many others and are hard to customize unless you are great at coding
- Premium themes offer easy to use custom design options
- The best themes offer lifetime support & updates
- Free themes off minimal if any support and normally no updates.
There’s many other benefits of using a premium theme over free themes which you will discover if you decide to go down that track.
Also check out:
- The ultimate list of premium theme creators
- Beginners Guide To Choosing a WordPress Theme
- Latest Premium WordPress e-Commerce Themes
Brad Dalton
@wpsitesdotnet
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Brad,
Great content and lots of really useful items and links …the issues now is after reading lots of the items I have too many options …..just when you think you are getting on top of wordpress you learn heaps more….
Thanks and take care
John
thanks John
Hi Brad
I’m a Genesis Studiopress man.
My own site is a Genesis site and I use Genesis themes for client sites – quick and easy to set up.
Guess there is no answer to which is the best framework… all of the top premium frameworks are pretty good.
Thanks for the reminder of what’s out there.
Hi,
I find thesis,genesis and wootheme very good.
Woo has themes that look like static websites.
Particularly Bueno which is free. I use it for some clients
that want static website rather than blog . I am yet to master thesis.
Havent used headway . Good writeup.
thanks
vinodh
thanks for content ideas