This site – Photograph Works – runs on WordPress using the Thesis WordPress theme.
I use Thesis because it makes a lot of things possible that are not possible or as easy with other themes. And I use it because it is being actively developed.
It is a premium theme – you have to pay for it – but the developer, Chris Pearson of ‘Pearsonified’ fame, is so active and responsive to the needs and demands of his audience that paying for the theme is a small price to pay for the advantages.
Remember, without a theme, WordPress works, but it ain’t pretty.
With the Thesis theme you get first-rate Search Engine Optimization (SEO), an amazing choice of fonts for terrific typography, point and click controls to customize Thesis how you want it (and it really is easy), and a very active free support forums with more than 30,000 members.
I know the support forum works because when I want to do something that is a bit different – there is always someone who knows just what to do. I emphasise that I only need the forums when I want to try something a bit different – and with the new Thesis version a lot of the things I did ‘my way’ are now standard and just a click away.
Thee is also a very detailed user-guide with a section devoted to ‘Answers’ that just make life a lot simpler.
I’ve played around with bits of code in WordPress and elsewhere and I know that the big problem is not whether you can do it but what you are going to do when the core files – that is, WordPress – get updated? Or what happens when Thesis itself gets updated?
Well since the last version, or maybe the last two versions, Thesis has put all the files you are going to want to tinker with (if you like to tinker) in one place where you can play to your heart’s content.
All the other files and all the things you will want to do to make your theme look great and behave well are in accessible via the normal WordPress admin panel. And like I say, they are super-easy to use.
So not we have Thesis version 1.8 - and there are new goodies, including
Header Image Uploader
Upload your own header image and Thesis will work in the background making sure the image is optimised for search engines.
Google Fonts!
Thesis supports the Google Font Directory, which gives you access to 28 web-fonts for free. This is a big deal because no other premium offering does this. Just click to use, and Google will serve up web-safe fonts from its directory.
Navigation Menu Support
One terrific thing in the latest version of WordPress (version 3.0) is the navigation menu builder. It allows you to build your navigation menu in new and exciting ways. Now with Thesis 1.8 – you get full support for this.
Category and Tag and Taxonomy Page Options
For the best SEO, a well-made site should have a unique headline and unique content to every category, tag, or taxonomy page. Thesis offers this!
Favicon Uploader
Favicons are great for identifying your brand. Normally you would have to upload one and code it to appear. Not with Thesis 1.8 – just upload and it’s done.
Get Thesis for your WordPress site. Just click the yellow Thesis box on the top right here – and you are on your way!
{ 13 comments… read them below or add one }
How would you rate this product compared to something like Joomla?
It’s a long time since I looked at the Joomla framework. I wasn’t attracted to it then and I thought it was much easier to set up Wordpress. I am glad I went with that decision. Of course, there may be things about Joomla that I would appreciate if I were to look at it again today, but I am happy with Wordpress. Thesis is the not inconsiderable icing on the cake.
Actually, I prefer Wordpress. I think it is much better and simpler, has a good number of functions and the like. Joomla is very good, but requires a little more experience with it.
Congratulations, David! It sounds like a good move for you.
Lucky you David, sounds like this theme is good for you and good looking.
I am glad I went with Wordpress.
Nice theme, maybe I’ll try it.
it sound great david..
Kereta Terpakai recently posted..BMW Pamer Koleksi Terbesar Kereta Terpakai Dan Demo
David, I love thesis because there are alot of reasons to love it! Only problem is, it requires a bit of knowledge of php stuff to customize it. It was even hard for me to add a single link in the footer.
It’s a great and flexible theme.
Didn’t know 1.8 is already there, since I was using 1.7 but will definitely upgrade now.
That header uploading feature sounds promising.
Interesting.
I am using Wordpress for some time now and feel a bit frustrated by some limitations.
However, the point Joel mentions seems a problem.
Can you develop if you really feel that you need to know PHP to customize the Thesis template?
Thanks in advance for your answer.
Lemerou recently posted..On the banks of the Mekong- in Luang Prabang
I don’t think a person really needs to know PHP to be able to use Thesis and get a lot out of it.
People on the DIYTHEMES forum will help out and if the answer is not already there then you can ask and get a good reply. Mostly that means you just copy a line of code and put it where they say to put it.
The way I look at it, motor cars and Wordpress themes like Thesis are designed for people to be able to use them.
Some people are car mechanics and can change an engine. Some people are coders and can write programs and do fancy things with PHP. But most people can learn to drive a car and most people can learn to copy and paste some code. It seems messy at first, but it is doable.
Also, with every new version of Thesis, the built-in tweaks are getting better and better with no need to look at the css folders.
Great post. I need a wordpress blog now.
Get Wordpress – it’s a free package. All you need is some web hosting and to choose your theme. I recommend the Thesis theme and if you click the link in the sidebar on this blog, I get a commission