Post on 01-Apr-2015
WordPressPremium ThemesTHEY CAN BE FAST BUT THEY’RE FAR FROM FOOLPROOF
Introduction
Intended audience – beginning designers & developers Six main topic segments Pros & cons An opportunity to learn as much as you can Workflow Recommendations Three examples: Commercial – ICR Triggr Creative Resources What the future holds Review + Q & A
Pros & Cons
Pros Way to get started Build a portfolio Professional finished look Provides a solid framework for child themes Lots of opportunities to learn from the Pros
Cons It’s not your design Function follows form Pricing conundrum Premium themes seldom mean premium clients Can facilitate some bad habits
Learning – Theme Types
Free & Vetted – WordPress Dashboard Premium or Paid – Upload in the Dashboard
Watch for double-zipped packages
Theme Frameworks: Genesis by StudioPress Headway Elegant Themes Thesis Builder – iThemes WooThemes Gantry
Learning - Installing
Installation in WP 3.9Free & Vetted
Preview | Install | ActivatePremium & Frameworks
Vetted | Previewed outside of WordPressUpload Zip File (watch for double zipped
files)Install | Activate
Learning – File Structure
Theme file structureCore files (wp-content/themes/ by default)
Style sheetsTemplatesFunctions.php (optional) JavaScript
Learning – Client Interaction
KNOW and Set Firm Development GoalsAlways think of yourself as a Professional in the
making15 mos. Or 5 websites WECFAs soon as my portfolio is ready
Get Solid Agreements with Prospects & Clients Firm Deliverables (and Payment Milestones) Under Promise and Over Deliver
Workflow Recommendations
Look thoroughly and choose carefullyMake sure core functionality is supported –
Sales supportCore feature setMenus, Widgets, etc.
Look for Framework possibilitiesLook for Child theme possibilities
Workflow Recommendations
Local Development Environment (Staging Server?) No “FTP Commando”
ToolsCodex – Always Start Here Inspect Element – Your Sherlock Holmes SpyglassSOS – Start Out SimpleExamine Alternatives that are a Good Fit for You
Three Examples
Trigger CreativeCREON Template Monster
My Michigan Lakefront HomeSimple Press from Elegant Themes
Insite Commercial Realty TurnKey from MoJo Themes
Resources & Tools
Codex Template Hierarchy Inspect Element – Google Chrome
Development Tools Dreamweaver Lynda.com Tuts+Premium Sublimerge – Sublime Text
Resources – Sites
Choosing a Theme http://www.premiumwp.com/best-premium-wordpress-themes-
collection/
http://themeforest.net/
http://www.woothemes.com/
http://www.templatemonster.com/
http://www.elegantthemes.com/
http://www.studiopress.com/
http://athemes.com/collections/best-wordpress-theme-frameworks/
Resources – Sites
Sites for Premium Theme | Website Comparisons
http://www.templatemonster.com/demo/39256.html http://triggrcreative.com/ http://www.mojo-themes.com/item/turnkey-a-simple-real-estate-
theme-for-wordpress/ http://fusethemes.com/demos/turnkey-standard/ - MoJo Themes http://insitecommercialrealty.com/ http://www.elegantthemes.com/demo/?theme=SimplePress http://mymichiganlakefronthome.com/
Resources – Sites
Other Resources
https://github.com/manovotny/wptest
http://wptest.io/
http://codex.wordpress.org/Theme_Development
http://codex.wordpress.org/Using_Themes
http://serverpress.com/products/desktopserver/
http://www.sublimerge.com/
http://tommcfarlin.com/
THANK YOU