WordPress Theme Development Advice

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Hi Everyone!

I'm looking into creating a few WordPress themes. The problem is that I'm not terribly familiar with this aspect of webdesign. I can customize an existing theme with only a moderate amount of frustration but I think what I want to make is a template.

I basically want to make something that has the fundamental framework but will allow others to customize it to their heart's content.

Is this something I should try to figure out on my own or is it complicated enough that I should just outsource it? I'm really busy with a number of other things so I can't devote too much time to teaching myself something too complex.

The theme itself is going to be really simple and I want the customization to be really simple as well. Is it tricky to add custom options to the WordPress admin area? The options would be things like changing background color, changing titles, fonts, that sort of thing.

The overall concept of this theme is simplicity and ease of use. I want it to be simple enough that someone who is completely new to WordPress can customize it the way they want.

Any help is greatly appreciated!
#website design #advice #development #theme #wordpress
  • If you need to create a WordPress theme, you must know HTML, CSS and PHP. JQuery is also desirable, but not necessary. Adding custom theme options is more complex than creating a simple theme. If you are not familiar with designing, you will have to learn all of the languages and understand the design aspect. It is not very difficult, but you must spend time to learn the process. You can learn HTML and CSS at HTMLDog.com or any other site. For WordPress-specific coding, you should refer to codex.wordpress.com. All the best.

    PS: "I basically want to make something that has the fundamental framework but will allow others to customize it to their heart's content." What you want to achieve requires advanced knowledge of WordPress, which will take a lot of time for a complete beginner.
    • [ 1 ] Thanks
    • [1] reply
    • Thanks for the advice!

      I know html relatively well, I used to hand code sides in notepad back in the stone age. I can at least sort through PHP well enough to edit an existing theme.

      I suppose I should just look into outsourcing. It seems like this could be a time consuming project for me but incredibly simple for someone that knows what they're doing.

      I don't have a terribly large budget for this right now. Any idea how much it would cost to get someone to create a customizable template for a one page WordPress site with no need for sidebars or anything like that?
      • [1] reply

  • Hi Shadowflux,

    Another option you may consider is using Headway Themes, the Drag and Drop framework for WordPress. I needed a solution similar to you awhile back and it does exactly what you are wanting. From Headway Themes:

    What I find most attractive about Headway is that it's only $68 for the Base package (theme/framework) and it can be used on unlimited sites and installations. Furthermore, they don't restrict selling the theme for client sites, themes that you develop to sell, flipping websites, etc.

    One note though, if users that you sell the theme to wish to have access to the large community and tutorials they'll have to pay the $68 fee, but you could either ask them to purchase through your affiliate link or simply provide support yourself.

    It's definitely worth checking out, Headway Drag and Drop WordPress Theme.

    Best,

    Logan
  • Head over to Themeforest, create an account, check developer forum, use their theme options plugin (you can call it at your theme functions) and move from there.

    Friendly advice.
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    WordPress Theme Development Advice

    Hi Everyone! I'm looking into creating a few WordPress themes. The problem is that I'm not terribly familiar with this aspect of webdesign. I can customize an existing theme with only a moderate amount of frustration but I think what I want to make is a template.