Help me clarify something in my mind here about wp and themes...

We use in house WP development + SEO (heck, people think SEO is backlinks...). We start by a design, usually PSD, customer approves it, and we start WP coding with full Admin Panel and a solid SEO plan to what is done by customer in future.

But if a customer wants a low end website, we can buy a theme and tweak it to his needs. Doesn't happen that often to tell you the truth, but it can happen. Between the time to buy and tweak a theme, or code a new one, I prefer to code a new one using MY framework.

Plus, using your own WP framework saves you a lot of headaches with WP updates.

its all choppy chop now man. we are in a lull right now. nothing has changed since these massive light boxes and played out shadows lumbered into the scene...

I actually saw a template the other day named quack, it was literally 3 crappy plates stitched together, but the swine make cash man, I just dont know.

The killer is only the pros spot the difference (the lack there of) and people are fine with a rehashed theme. The trick is to fight with tools man, show them something better. Unless it is a moneymaking blog I suggest another CMS solutions for my clients other than wordpress and they bite on it every time you know how I do as such?

1) I tell them a horror story of when a nice new theme gets busted from a pointless update on the WP platform, mention what it'll cost to consult for a fix.

2) Remind them that their solution is tethered to WP and they are stuck to it, converting it is ill advised and should you decide to change your mind later you are BEAT as it is a P.I.T.A. to convert... it kinda is 'innit?

3) Offer them something better. Bang for the buck I use a whitlabeled CMS that has evolved into the Adobe Business Catalyst Platform. POTENT stuff enterprise class Admin functionality and its hosted and NON PROPRIETARY html front end, easier to build and they get tons of bells and whistles including some that you just can't find on WP.

4) You could always just blow those template jockeys out of the water with the freshness! remind the client that any jackass with an internet connection can have the exact same 'website' when they are using a canned theme. Their Potential Clients will never see them in the sea of sites out there if they don't 'Invest in sound design'.

You know what the best part is? That isn't sales talk its fact!

Put it this way, some clients want the good stuff and they are willing to pay...others want a can of pork and beans... If you don't give the bum his beans you are both gonna starve.

If you cant beat em join em, spin their model make a better theme or USE A KILLER ONE FOR A FRAMEWORK and make sure your theme will put all others to shame! Amass the best plugins you can find and jam them badboys in there they have value and you, the dude who just hooked up the slickest Wordpress install on the PLANET up have value too!

Chalk it up bro... that's one for the Good Guy's. Fight with tools man.

this is the nature of the universe, people leverage the effort of those in the past

does it feel wrong to build a house using the diggers, concrete trucks, cranes, etc... that others built beforehand? or do you think you should build a house entirely by hand? using nothing but a handsaw, hammer, stones you've quarried yourself, and logs you've chopped down then drag to the construction site yourself?

The fact of the matter is with WordPress people can now build much better websites, for much cheaper, and much faster than in the past.

How is this a bad thing?

How about creating a new CMS for every website? For quick turnaround, it's good to use a pre-built theme (it can be you own) and then redesign it to have a new design and functions. "Recycling code"!!! It's not rip-off.

Thesis is great for support too! Well worth the $25/yr (cheap as!)

I just wanted to say thank you for the words and wisdom guys. You all pretty much said everything I knew already, I just needed to hear it and confirm it for myself.

Thank you so much.