Thesis theme for WP - Worth getting?

[Si]

Just been taking a look into this theme, looks pretty good.

But, Are the benefits of this theme worth paying for? or is it a waste of time?

[Libertine]

It provides a nice basis to build on, and it's fairly suitable for quickly getting a standard-looking blog up.

Personally, I have a developer's license, but I haven't ended up using it on any sites yet. If you're able to hire a designer or do a design yourself, you'll almost always be able to get something better than you'd get with Thesis.

So there are 2 reasons to use it:
- You want to create something very quickly, and don't mind if it isn't perfect.
- You're not great at design, and want a simple, solid basis to tinker with.

[TheSenator]

I am experimenting the thesis theme on a four letter domain name just for SEO purposes.

[Si]

It provides a nice basis to build on, and it's fairly suitable for quickly getting a standard-looking blog up.

Personally, I have a developer's license, but I haven't ended up using it on any sites yet. If you're able to hire a designer or do a design yourself, you'll almost always be able to get something better than you'd get with Thesis.

So there are 2 reasons to use it:
- You want to create something very quickly, and don't mind if it isn't perfect.
- You're not great at design, and want a simple, solid basis to tinker with.

good point

the thing i'm struggling with is if it so basic, why pay the $87 or $164 for the developer license when you can download something like SEO Basics directly through wordpress for free?

Is there anything it actually offers that is of benefit? other than it being a simple SEO theme?

[Si]

I am experimenting the thesis theme on a four letter domain name just for SEO purposes.

Any results so far?

[Libertine]

good point

the thing i'm struggling with is if it so basic, why pay the $87 or $164 for the developer license when you can download something like SEO Basics directly through wordpress for free?

Is there anything it actually offers that is of benefit? other than it being a simple SEO theme?

It's not an SEO theme - not any more than most others, anyway. The SEO bit is just a marketing line.

Its true value lies in it being a "set up a blog very quickly" theme. Change the header, change some borders, change some colors, and you have a simple, well-designed blog that's ready to go.

Some examples:

http://www.quicksprout.com/
http://www.twitip.com/
http://levarburton.com/
http://www.copyblogger.com/
http://simplemom.net/

All of these are based on Thesis, and most of them could be made very quickly.

[Si]

It's not an SEO theme - not any more than most others, anyway. The SEO bit is just a marketing line.

Its true value lies in it being a "set up a blog very quickly" theme. Change the header, change some borders, change some colors, and you have a simple, well-designed blog that's ready to go.

Some examples:

http://www.quicksprout.com/
http://www.twitip.com/
http://levarburton.com/
http://www.copyblogger.com/
http://simplemom.net/

All of these are based on Thesis, and most of them could be made very quickly.

Ok, thats interesting could be more useful for quick simple blogs rather than looking at it as an SEO theme.

You've given me a few ideas now. thanks for your input

[fris]

good theme i bought it

[Houdini]

I bought the developer option a few weeks ago and using it on two sites right now. It's nice, but it didn't really save any time with the design. Actually, it took longer than a "normal" theme, because the way you change things is different than a normal theme. Aside from changing fonts and columns, widths, etc, the simplest things like adding an image in the header and making it clickable, requires you change a custom css file and using hooks to modify the functions file to make it happen. Luckily, they have a great message support board, but it's not as plug and play as the sales pitch appears.

If you want to setup some blogs out of the box like the ones above, get it. If you're into heavily customizing your theme, there's no time benefit than to just modify a free one.

[Libertine]

I bought the developer option a few weeks ago and using it on two sites right now. It's nice, but it didn't really save any time with the design. Actually, it took longer than a "normal" theme, because the way you change things is different than a normal theme. Aside from changing fonts and columns, widths, etc, the simplest things like adding an image in the header and making it clickable, requires you change a custom css file and using hooks to modify the functions file to make it happen. Luckily, they have a great message support board, but it's not as plug and play as the sales pitch appears.

If you want to setup some blogs out of the box like the ones above, get it. If you're into heavily customizing your theme, there's no time benefit than to just modify a free one.

My experience is quite different. While making a heavily modified version certainly takes a fair bit of time, it's still quite less than coding a theme from the ground up.

Of course, it changes when you modify it so heavily it becomes an entirely different theme. But in that case, there isn't really a benefit to using it.

[candyflip]

I have a developer's license that I picked up recently to start a few client projects.

There are a few free theme frameworks too. There are my favorites:

http://themehybrid.com - Hybrid theme framework
http://themeshaper.com - Thematic theme framework

[Hotrocket]

Can't give any info on the Thesis theme but I use both Hybrid and Thematic frameworks and they are top notch.

Hybrid is great for SEO out of the box, I don't use any SEO plugins with it, it has all you need built in.

I will say its is a bit different working with frameworks/child themes but it has many advantages once you get your head around the differences in the way it works.

Author support for Hybrid is outstanding and the $25 yr for access to the support forums and over 30 tutorials is an excellent value.

[Young]

the creators are good at marketing and branding more than anything else

[candyflip]

Can't give any info on the Thesis theme but I use both Hybrid and Thematic frameworks and they are top notch.

Hybrid is great for SEO out of the box, I don't use any SEO plugins with it, it has all you need built in.

I will say its is a bit different working with frameworks/child themes but it has many advantages once you get your head around the differences in the way it works.

Author support for Hybrid is outstanding and the $25 yr for access to the support forums and over 30 tutorials is an excellent value.

The $25 spend on Hybrid support has been great so far.

[fatfoo]

Don't know. Never tried it.

[pamon]

looks interesting...

[pamon]

although some themes are getting pretty pricey. $87? guess if u make it back it works.

[tranza]

I was looking for it, but without answers. Bump it.

[Si]

I have a developer's license that I picked up recently to start a few client projects.

There are a few free theme frameworks too. There are my favorites:

http://themehybrid.com - Hybrid theme framework
http://themeshaper.com - Thematic theme framework

Thanks, they could be very useful.

Might have a play with them today.

[CaptainHowdy]

good theme i bought it

thread closed!

[Si]

thread closed!