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Best WordPress theme to Create Sites for Clients

by GeekChick
25 replies
Hi everyone,

I've been doing the IM thing for quite a number of years now and people have started asking me for help with getting their local businesses online via WordPress. So I want to start doing this and marketing myself. So far I've used pretty simple themes but I think it's time I invest some money and time into one or two higher-end premium themes and really learn the ins and outs to be able to offer people great looking and performing sites.

I'd like to find something that comes with a developer license , ideally, so I can keep costs lower for people in my small-town community. But I know some good ones like OptimizePress (I've heard mixed reviews about the newest iteration) don't have a developer option. I also don't want it to be TOO complex so that people without a lot of web experience can learn to do it (those that want to).

Do any of you have a favorite theme to use for client sites?

Thanks!
#clients #create #sites #theme #wordpress
  • Profile picture of the author Jesus Perez
    The higher end premium themes are the best solution. They provide long term support and the themes hold up well against WP updates.

    I personally recommend StudioPress and Elegant Themes for the attractive one-time developer pricing.
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    • Profile picture of the author David Neale
      Studiopress also..... not perfect but probably the best if you want to stick with one standard. It`s what my company uses for 90% of client sites.
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      David Neale

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  • Profile picture of the author reboot38
    Check out ThemeForest.net. No developer licenses but affordable and in most cases decent themes with good to great support. That's my experience with them anyway.
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  • Profile picture of the author Korey Carter
    Check out ithemes.com. I have used their Flexx themes for years and have nothing but good things to say about them.

    They do have a developer license.
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  • Profile picture of the author MagneticKopy
    StudioPress is really nice and has really nice themes.
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  • Profile picture of the author jasonthewebmaster
    Banned
    sure, use studiopress and elegant themes if you want templates that have been used by mllions of other people...

    why not do something original? any psd or html/css theme can easily be converted to wordpress for about the same cost of the recycled theme memberships
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  • Profile picture of the author GeekChick
    Thanks for all the ideas! I have no idea how I actually posted this here instead of in the main forum... thanks for responding.
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    • Profile picture of the author DABK
      I like Thesis.
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  • Profile picture of the author vikash_kumar
    Mine list will be: (Which are good and best among the available lot of themes)
    StudioPress
    Elegant Themes
    inkthemes
    Thesis

    Thanks & Regards,
    Vikash
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  • Profile picture of the author Matt Lee
    I like themeforest & elegant themes. No developers license though... But the customization options that are available you could design 100 different websites, that look nothing alike with some of these themes.
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    • Profile picture of the author JacqueP
      Originally Posted by Matt Lee View Post

      I like themeforest & elegant themes. No developers license though... But the customization options that are available you could design 100 different websites, that look nothing alike with some of these themes.
      I use elegant themes as well. Its 89 per year for 87+ themes and you get the PSD files for photoshop. Endless possibilities.
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      • Profile picture of the author 9999
        Great list of themes.
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  • Profile picture of the author amcg
    I like the new default Twenty Thirteen theme and find it easy to customize. Simply creating a child theme and running with it means that any updates to Wordpress core shouldn't cripple your customizations.
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  • Profile picture of the author raniya
    [DELETED]
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  • Profile picture of the author Ben_Doyle
    For local businesses we use Small Biz Theme.

    We think it is awesome!

    The amount of things you can do with it beats any other theme for us.
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    • Profile picture of the author MarkJez
      Originally Posted by Ben_Doyle View Post

      For local businesses we use Small Biz Theme.

      We think it is awesome!

      The amount of things you can do with it beats any other theme for us.
      Totally agree with you Ben.

      After trying out lots of different local themes I have finally settled on the Smallbiz Theme for 99% of my client sites.
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      Mark Jerram

      http://www.bouncycastlemanufacturers.org.uk

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  • Profile picture of the author imsolutionsgroup
    Inkthemes has a wide variety of wordpress themes that are great for client sites. They also provided top notch support if you need any help with a theme you've purchased - InkThemes: 39 Easy Responsive Premium WordPress Themes
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    • Profile picture of the author joe ferdinando
      Local business is my Business. I have used inkthemes Local Business WordPress Theme With built in Lead Capture and it does a great job.

      I have many installed so if you need samples to look at let me know!
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      Ferdiworks.com
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    • Profile picture of the author Biz Max
      Originally Posted by imsolutionsgroup View Post

      Inkthemes has a wide variety of wordpress themes that are great for client sites. They also provided top notch support if you need any help with a theme you've purchased - InkThemes: 39 Easy Responsive Premium WordPress Themes

      Ink Themes are a good choice
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      Small Business Marketing & Branding Specialist
      http://BrandWhisperer.net
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  • Profile picture of the author MrJeff
    I like weaverii themes. a bit of a learning curve but you can do a lot with them.
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  • Profile picture of the author maricelu
    Planet Starta developer license will let you build very nice sites pretty quick. Been using it for the last two years and a half.
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    • Profile picture of the author Biz Max
      I know there is risk when buying one from a WSO, but I bought one a couple weeks ago and it is very easy to create and their customer support is STELLAR.

      Hopefully they will keep up on the updates. In my opinion it is one of the best for novice site builders looking for an inexpensive website option.

      See it here
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      Small Business Marketing & Branding Specialist
      http://BrandWhisperer.net
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      • Profile picture of the author Rotate
        I think Aaron, fiction, Estate themes are good to create sites for clients. Also Other top themeforest themes are good to create clients' sites.
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        • Profile picture of the author Jesse Kemper
          Really hard to not agree with StudioPress, along with just about anything built on Genesis Framework. There are definitely a few very customizable and amazing themes over at Themeforest including Inovado and U-Design. U-Design you can simply customize so easy its basically more than one theme! =)
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          • Profile picture of the author Plato
            Have a look at Clickbump. He offers great local & lead themes. Best ones i came across so far. Also coded for quick loading which will help seowise.
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