Custom theme options aren’t enough any more. It’s time to start finding more innovative ways of using WordPress, and executing it correctly and efficiently.
Maybe it’s just me, but I’m not dazzled by the ability to edit fonts from the backend, or change the logo. It’s easy enough for any free theme to do that. Create something truly unique out of WordPress and then call it “Premium.”
I realize this isn’t ideal for people who are trying to make a sustainable business out of selling themes, as they have to appeal to the masses. But I don’t know how much more mediocrity the “Premium” theme market can handle. If what was once considered “Premium” is now expected, then it is no longer premium. New things need to be introduced.
Painfully true.
I’m a designer/developer myself, and frequently use premium themes in cases where clients have an extremely low budget. Many of the really creative uses of WordPress are either difficult to use, or poorly implemented. And premium features themselves have become really run-of-the-mill as of late, especially with WP 3.0 integrating custom backgrounds and thumbnails into the core.
But all of this is definitely good for the end user. Overall quality has definitely improved, even if at the sake of originality.
Great job on Quality Control by the way – it’s a stand out.
Spot on Spencer – “I don’t know how much more mediocrity the “Premium” theme market can handle”. This is exactly why I (personally) was extremely disappointed that WP Bundle didn’t launch in its original format, and has now merged with Woo. Some of us, many of us in fact, don’t want a framework. In my opinion, Woo Themes epitomise Mass-market mediocrity. Seriously.
WP Bundle was the most exciting thing to (nearly) happen to WordPress in for-ever (outside of core dev). Now it’s really lost some of that shine.
Like Joshau’s comment above, I find myself buying & moding premium thems if/where time/budgets are limited. But the options & frameworks can be SO painful to work with.
Someone DOES need to do something different. Everything is the same in the WP premium theme World. Theme Forest has *some* variety at least, but you’re buying the equivalent of a ‘code landmines’ – the second you buy and view the code, your whole World blows up blows up.
The design teases WP Bundle published conjured so much design drool; I hope Woo deliver them sans mass-mediocrity.
Thanks leaf,
Though just to be clear; I’m still doing every bit of coding on the themes. Just using Woo as a way to help keep things uniform when they help with support, updates, selling, etc. Most of the themes only have a few custom options, as I tried putting more *core* functionality into the themes, rather than trying to put on a show with a bunch of different options. They should hopefully remain very easy to work with.
OK. That is good to know. I actually supported the donation/pledge system for your original launch. Was shocked and disappointed the target was never met.
Any idea how far away they’re are from being available? It’s been a long wait.
From WooThemes:
” We’re hoping that the first bundle will see the light of day in September, but you know how these things go sometimes… “
Stay tuned people.. Something is in the works :)