Why I Don’t Utilize Themeforest Anymore

A current article from WP Tavern about what the WP asian girl online community considers Themeforest encouraged me to publish about why we no further make use of it for themes.

MODIFY: Here’s a post that is new WP Tavern that simply arrived today (Feb. 25, 2015). It’s a read that is awesome Themeforest. Http: //wptavern.com/envato-continues-to-rake-in-the-cash-from-wordpress-themes-packaged-as-complete-website-solutions

What exactly is Themeforest?

Themeforest is a huge marketplace for various types of designs for web sites, including fixed HTML/CSS templates and themes for the main content management systems. Because of the enormous popularity of WordPress, the WordPress portion of Themeforest is understandably widely known. WordPress users can grab various types of themes, including all-purpose/general themes to niche themes, such as for instance themes for photographers and churches.

Why Themeforest isn’t as Great because it Sounds

Themeforest seems to be a gold mine for new and novice WordPress users. Why wouldn’t it? It’s got thousands of themes that look good and also include every type of functionality. Which means numerous users can grab a layout that fulfills many, or even all, of these needs. We admit before I got into development and became knowledgeable that I loved Themeforest when I first started learning WordPress but that was. We now understand from experience that Themeforest is laden with mostly low quality themes that sell because people love all of the fancy design features, shortcodes, etc.

There are some reasons that are main i actually do perhaps maybe not utilize Themeforest anymore and won’t later on. First, i’ve grown to cringe during the looked at swollen theme management panels that allow users personalize their site simply by inputting some true numbers and choosing some fonts. Yes, these admin panels lead to simple modifying but the vast majority of the choices is replaced for many easy CSS. Instead, themes become incredibly distended with hundreds (or thousands) of lines of code that allow for such simple modifying. Not merely will be the theme files bigger, the database becomes bigger to conserve those choices. All this added bloat for items that might be finished with a couple of dozen lines of CSS.

2nd, a lot of the themes are defectively coded while having essentially no freedom. Exactly just just What do i am talking about by freedom? Take the Genesis Framework as an example: Genesis is probably the most versatile theme you’ll find available on the market by way of most of its available hooks. Those comfortable sufficient with code can get a handle on other areas of their website with real freedom. Perhaps Not really a theme that is single Themeforest provides this sort of freedom. Which means you need to hack the theme’s files and make an effort to navigate the code that is shitty make modifications that could be quite simple with Genesis.

Finally, the sorts of themes from Themeforest something that is create “theme-lock”. Theme lock takes place when a WordPress individual cannot alter his / her theme without gutting all the site’s functionality. When the theme is deactivated, it deactivates things such as shortcodes and custom post kinds that have been registered by the theme. Without these features that the consumer has greatly integrated to the site, things break apart. Page/post content will show the literal text for theme-dependent shortcodes and customized content will recede. This makes the entire site a huge mess and a major pain in the ass to clean up in a nutshell. Any rule that produces functionality belongs in a plugin, perhaps maybe not a style. Themes are for display ONLY.

IMPROVE: Another reason that is huge why we don’t utilize Themeforest anymore (I became reminded by Denis’s remark below) is the fact that Themeforest’s licensing is inconsistent. In place of every item being 100% GPL like WordPress plugins and themes should really be, you can find varying permit choices and also this produces doubt with regards to deploying it. As an example, some components of the theme are GPL while the rest may possibly not be. We don’t like making use of items that are not complete GPL within the beginning and the Envato certification terms for themes and plugins are not at all something We like or help.

Themeforest Alternatives

You can find three theme providers that i will suggest as options to Themeforest themes. I take advantage of them for different purposes therefore I will list them centered on use and user capability:

1. Genesis Framework – Genesis is my #1 favorite theme. Since it’s title suggests, it’s a framework this is certainly constructed on top of if you use kid themes. It will be the many flexible and fun to utilize. Town can be phenomenal. Nevertheless, you need to be confident with some rule (mainly actions and filters) to get the most really away from Genesis. Study why I prefer Genesis and you ought to too.
2. Headway – Headway is a wonderful theme builder that allows users build any kind of layout imaginable visually (no rule required). It’s best for novices who possess some knowledge of WordPress or are able to learn sufficient to be comfortable.
3. Elegant Themes – I’m an individual fan of Elegant Themes and therefore all started with Divi, very theme’s that is popular for WordPress. The designs are breathtaking plus the help is fantastic. We recommend Elegant Themes if you should be a novice or even for building a fast, easy site that looks awesome straight away. Before utilizing Divi, however, be sure to consider theme-lock and browse Chris Lema’s post as to how Divi runs behind the scenes and possibly changing your theme as time goes by. You have to be mindful of future modifications to your site and exactly how themes like Divi will influence those modifications.

The most important thing to keep in mind about each one of these vendors is they are well-known and you may sleep simple knowing you’ve bought from a dependable supply as opposed to some (feasible) fly-by-night designer on Themeforest.

Exactly just What do you believe of Themeforest?

Before we end, i do want to explain that this post is my basic standpoint however it is actually provided by many people within the WordPress community, specially people who know very well what they’re doing. I’m not stating that EVERY theme/product from Themeforest/Envato is crap. If I really liked the thought of it, I’ve pretty much written off purchasing from Envato because my reasons for not doing so greatly outnumber the benefits while I might purchase something.

If you will find any WordPress designers on the market who use Themeforest themes for client work, I’m enthusiastic about once you understand your reason behind doing this (with regard to discussion).