THE BEST THEME FRAMEWORK?

StudioPress’s WordPress theme framework, Genesis, is one of the top 3 or 4 contender’s when it comes to truly customizable frameworks.

There are other excellent options out there that allow you a wide degree of control, but if you want a single framework that offers both flexibility and numerous child themes that already look great out-of-the-box (many child themes do not); then Genesis is certainly worth very serious consideration.

And because of StudioPress’s attention to detail, changing these child-themes is an easy process that doesn’t lead to the headaches that switching from one theme to another often brings up.

Genesis framework’s features include:

• Over 35 child-themes, including excellent magazine, news and business themes. These all look great upon installation, so while coding knowledge will give you maximum options, you can still have a professional, high end looking website upon the child theme’s install.

• Built in SEO. There are some good plug-ins out there, but these days any real contender for best WordPress theme will have serious search engine optimization capabilities within it. StudioPress users have complete control over posts, pages, categories, meta data and whether or not links are dofollow or nofollow.

• The option to install StudioPress’s free Simple SideBars plugin, which gives you the ability to create custom sidebars. You can even create different sidebars for each page and post, which provides a level of flexibility not found in most other themes.

• Total control of menu navigation. The (free) Genesis Menu Plugin adds even more options.

• Six layout options for pages and posts. You’ll find that 2 or 3 layouts is the norm, so this is an additional plus.

• Customizable headers and footers (use free Genesis Simple Hooks plugin)

• Themes are easily updated. Updating can be a headache with some free or lesser quality premium themes, but StudioPress have made matters simple.

• Support forums and options for hiring someone to get you first site up and running for a reasonable charge. I think most people will be able to get started by themselves, but if you feel that you need professional help then it’s there.