Version 2.0 of a major WordPress theme framework is always exciting!
October 1’st last year, DIYthemes released Thesis 2.0 – which, as you may know; I was sadly quite disappointed with. Luckily I have the Headway theme framework which I love for its drag’n’drop layout editor.
But, some people prefer to code the their WordPress website layouts the traditional way. If that’s you, then you gotta be excited as hell about the upcoming version 2.0 release of the Genesis WordPress theme framework.
There’s now a preview of Genesis 2.0 available!
Those column classes are pretty cool I think.
If there’s a gold standard WordPress theme framework – it’s called Genesis
When it comes to clean code, clean design, good support and overall great quality – StudioPress’ Genesis could be called the gold standard of WordPress theme frameworks.
Oh, by the way… StudioPress has made a free Genesis PDF guide for download here. It explains the core Genesis concepts. Much of it will also apply to Genesis 2.0.
Why use the Genesis WordPress theme?
The Genesis WordPress theme framework is secure, search optimized, stable, sports some neat extra widgets you can download for free, and you get “unlimited everything” as they call it on their sales page. That means unlimited support, unlimited updates and you can use Genesis on an unlimited number of websites. There’s no developer option.
Genesis child themes – Enter StudioPress
Any child theme needs a parent theme. The Genesis theme is the solid foundation of StudioPress’ many child themes. These can all serve well as a starting point for your own 100% custom WordPress child themes. Bear in mind you DO need to be able to code at least CSS and preferably also PHP, in order to customize StudioPress / Genesis child themes.
It’s rumored that Genesis 2.o will be released very soon after the long-awaited release of WordPress 3.6 comes out of beta. And since StudioPress has this “unlimited everything” model, you get Genesis 2.0 for free when it’s released, at no extra upgrade cost. That’s cool, as I’m already a StudioPress customer, so I also get it for free:-)
Which other theme framework updates are on the horizon?
The PageLines theme framework is also soon to be revealed in a massive 2.0 version, which private beta testers say is beyond kick-ass. I’m personally really… I mean REALLY… looking forward to seeing what the PageLines team turn up with. As I wrote in my recent PageLines review, PageLines is good and well-intended, but sadly confusing and convoluted. I hope 2.0 will tidy PageLines up, making it more approachable.
Headway 3.5 is in beta! 3.5 adds the much-anticipated full width blocks. That means fluid headers and footers and everything else you can imagine. I’m a Headway 3.5 beta tester and can’t wait to use it on this very site as soon as it’s stable! Will be sooooo nice:-)
Victoria says
Hi Oliver,
You are educating me so much! I really appreciate your taking the time to write in detail. Now, after my research, I am ditching Divi, and came across StudioPress and Genesis – which is the opposite – clean underpinnings, more simplicity. Sadly, I just read in your blog that I will beed to know CSS or PHP (which was not clear at all on StudioPress website.). Maybe this is a dumb question, but I thought that if you are using a wordpress theme it is like a template, so why would you need to know CSS unless you are customizing significantly? Doesn’t it have a back end?
Oliver Nielsen says
Hey Victoria
Genesis by itself has no design control panel of any kind. Some of the Genesis child themes (designs for Genesis) does have various design options, but not in any way close to what something like Divi or Beaver offers.
You do only need HTML, CSS and perhaps PHP skills, if you wanna customize a StudioPress theme. If you like the design as it is: there’ll be no need for any kind of coding skils. In that case, StudioPress themes are very straightforward and easy to use, due to their focused (i.e. non-bloated) design controls.
I hope that clears it up? Else ask me more:) You’re welcome:)
Oliver