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You are here: Home / Genesis framework / Reviews & Recommendations / StudioPress themes review – choosing the right theme

StudioPress themes review – choosing the right theme

This StudioPress themes review is designed to help you choose the right theme for your business or blog.

When you buy a theme from the StudioPress site you have four basic options.

  • Buy a single theme designed by StudioPress.
  • Buy a single theme designed by an independent designer but sold by StudioPress (Community Themes).
  • Buy the StudioPress Genesis Pro package.
  • Buy the Genesis Framework and use a free theme.

All of these themes are called child themes and need the Genesis Framework installed on your site as well as the theme you’ll use.

You can buy the Genesis Framework with each child theme. But if you’ve already bought Genesis, you can use it on all of your web sites. Your Genesis licence also allows you to use Genesis on any sites you build for your clients. The StudioPress child themes also have the same licence.

In this StudioPress themes review I’ll be using the StudioPress interactive theme chooser.

To follow along with this StudioPress themes review and get a better idea of which theme would be best for your site go to the theme chooser.

You can find it here, StudioPress Interactive Theme Chooser.

You can filter which themes you see by choosing…

  • Colour scheme.
  • Theme category. (Themes suitable for businesses, photographers etc.)
  • Type of theme. (See themes designed by StudioPress or by independent designers.)
  • Features. (Mobile responsive themes. Themes that let you add your own logo. Themes with more than one colour style option, etc.)

Before you start, think of any particular needs you have.

Please note, each time you filter any section, you see less options. Close any filters that you’re not using or you won’t see all of the themes available.

StudioPress theme chooser dialogue April 2014

Do you prefer a particular colour?

  • Theme color > Choose a colour.

The next step in our StudioPress themes review is to decide what kind of business you have. Some themes are especially suitable for photographers web sites.There’s also a theme designed for real estate agents. But most themes can be used for most types of business. I don’t like to limit myself too much when choosing themes.

Is there a theme particularly suited to your business…

Such as real estate or photography?

  • Theme Category > Photography.
  • Theme Category > Business.

 

Colour Styles, some themes have several different colour style options.

This option varies from theme to theme. In some themes changing the colour style option only changes the colour of the links. Some themes change the background colour and look very different when a different colour option is selected. Test any theme to see if it offers the colour style you need.

  • Theme Features > Color Styles.

Some StudioPress themes have more than one colour scheme.

See how your chosen theme would look using a different colour style.

  • Go to the demo page of your chosen theme.
  • Find the navigation bar at the very top of the web page.
  • If there is a Theme Colour option, select a colour.

Selecting a colour scheme in the AgentPress theme.AgentPress theme green colour scheme.

AgentPress theme by StudioPress changes background colour when a new colour option is chosen. Most StudioPress themes only change things like link colours when a different colour option is chosen.

The next step in our StudioPress themes review is important.

Do you want your site to work well on mobile phones and iPads etc.

  • Theme Features > Mobile Responsive.

These days it makes sense to have a mobile responsive site. If that’s what you want, take care and check to make sure the theme you’ve chosen is mobile responsive.

Internet Explorer 8, does it matter to you?

Update. Microsoft stopped supporting Windows XP in April 2014 :-) BUT!

The UK government might still be using it. More info…

The newest themes by StudioPress are mobile responsive. But there are some themes, usually the mobile responsive ones, that display differently on old web browsers. I live in the UK and many local Government buildings such as libraries and council offices still use Internet Explorer 8. If you know your customers use such old software (IE8 is five year old software) do a quick test using Netrenderer. Just find the demo site for your chosen theme and paste the URL in the box at the Net Renderer website. Make sure you select Internet Explorer 8 from the drop down selector.

An even better option would be to ask someone who uses IE8 to test the StudioPress theme demo page for your chosen theme and see how it looks. I sometimes do this in my local library where they still have computers using Windows XP and Internet Explorer 8.

You might decide that people using five year old software are unlikely to buy your goods or services. But this StudioPress themes review wouldn’t be complete without mentioning IE8.

Do you want to add a graphic header or logo?

  • Theme Features > Custom Header.

Not all themes let you add a header image or logo.

Remember, if you add your own logo to the header area of a theme, it will need to fit in the space set by the theme. The background colour of your logo will also need to match the theme’s colour, unless you use a transparent background image for your logo.

Most modern StudioPress, mobile responsive themes have small logo areas. Approximately 300px by100px.

Do you need sidebars?

A small number of the StudioPress themes don’t have sidebars. Most themes have at least one sidebar and some themes have two sidebars. I like to have at least one sidebar available just in case I need to use it in the future.

StudioPress themes or Community themes?

Some themes are made by StudioPress, such as the themes in the Genesis Pro package. Other themes are made by independent web designers. This option helps you view themes designed by StudioPress or themes designed by independent designers. If you’re considering buying the StudioPress Genesis Pro package, please note. Community themes are NOT included in the Genesis Pro package.

All Themes: > Third Party Themes, or StudioPress Themes

Have a good look at all of the themes before you make your choice. Then ask yourself, how much would it cost to employ a web designer to build you a site like this. I think StudioPress themes are a real bargain. Don’t you?

Category: Genesis framework, Reviews & Recommendations, Web design tips

About Philip Gledhill

Philip helps small and medium service businesses build and maintain clean, minimalist, professional looking websites. He loves clear, concise, customer focused content, and websites that are easy to navigate. His motto is focus on your customer and keep it simple.

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My StudioPress and Genesis Tutorials

  • StudioPress Sites Review
  • Genesis Responsive Slider Tutorial
  • Genesis Featured Post Widget Tutorial
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  • Simple Hooks Tutorial
  • Genesis Simple Edits Tutorial
  • Genesis Dambuster plugin basic settings
  • Beaver Builder Tutorial – The Basics
  • Elementor Tutorial: a Quick Start Guide
  • Changing the color scheme of Altitude, Magazine Parallax Pro themes
  • Basic StudioPress Theme Customization (Old Post)
  • Genesis Framework Widget Areas Tutorial
  • Genesis Grid Loop Tutorial
  • Simple URLs (plugin) Tutorial
  • Simple Sidebars Tutorial
  • Simple Social Icons Plugin
  • Customizing the WordPress Query
  • Category and Tag Archive Listing Pages
  • Adding an author box below posts
  • Choosing the right StudioPress theme (a review)
  • Genesis eNews Extended and Mailchimp
  • StudioPress Pricing Table
  • StudioPress Flexible Layouts
  • Genesis CSS learn how to tweak and customize your site
  • Icons used in StudioPress themes
  • Images in homepage text widgets
  • Using Genesis Column Classes To Build Layout Grids
  • Sticky Header or Menu in Genesis
  • Plugins used in StudioPress themes
  • Genesis Simple FAQ plugin
  • Strong Testimonials Plugin – The Basics
  • Cornerstone Content: a simple how to guide
  • Genesis Portfolio Pro
  • Setup Generate Pro theme
  • Setup Hello Pro
  • Set up Altitude Pro theme
  • Setup – Executive Pro Theme
  • Parallax Pro Theme Review
  • Setup Parallax Pro Theme
  • Changing Google Fonts in a Genesis child theme (Parallax Pro)
  • Setup Daily Dish Pro theme
  • Setup Metro Pro theme
  • Foodie Pro Overview
  • Smart Passive Income Pro Theme: set up guide
  • Academy Pro theme Setup Guide
  • Authority Pro Theme: setup guide
Install the Genesis Framework
  • Are you ready to take your first steps? Watch as I install WordPress and Genesis.

Rainmaker Platform – a Review

  • Discover if you need the Rainmaker Platform
FoodieProTutorials
Build your own Genesis child themes with Dynamik Website Builder

Genesis Design Palette Pro

  • Customize your theme with Genesis Design Palette Pro

DIY Webdesign with Dynamik Website Builder AND Genesis Extender plugin

  • Genesis Child Theme Tutorial with Dynamik Website Builder
  • StudioPress theme customisation with the Genesis Extender plugin
  • Dynamik Fixed Background Image

StudioPress Accelerator

  • StudioPress Accelerator, the budget-friendly way to get a seriously fast website.

Are you getting stuck setting up a StudioPress site?Please let me know if you get stuck.

Disclosure: I receive compensation from some of the companies whose products I review.

How my affiliate links work…

  • I only get paid if someone buys a product. Not because someone clicks a link.
  • You pay the same price using my links or the StudioPress site.
  • If I earn some commission I can spend some more time making more tutorials.
  • P.S. Thanks to all those folks who have bought through my links.
  • It's much appreciated :-)

Philip Gledhill web design

Philip Gledhill is a Bradford web designer and WordPress assistant.

Genesis Extender

Customise your Genesis child theme the easy way.

The Genesis Extender Plugin

Get The Genesis Framework

WordPress Hosting

WordPress Hosting, Which Deal is Best For You?

Genesis – StudioPress resources

There are many good websites where you can find information about the Genesis Framework.

I use the sites listed below on a weekly or even daily basis to find answers, solutions and basic information.

I hope you find them as useful as I have.

Bill Erickson
WordPress Consultant

  • Tutorials
  • Code

Designs by Nick the Geek
Genesis based WordPress development and tutorials for everyone

  • Genesis Explained a good introduction to the code that makes Genesis work

Greg Rickaby
Front-End Developer @WebDevStudios

  • Code Snippets

Christopher Cochran
web/tech/design/music

  • The Visual Hook Guide

Carrie Dils

Genesis Developer and Web Designer

  • Genesis Tutorials and Information

Carrie Dils course on Lynda.com

  • There are two Genesis courses on Lynda.com. Up and Running with Genesis and Customizing Themes. Both are well worth a look. And if you're new to Lynda.com you can usually get a 7 day free trial.

Sridhar Katakam

  • Loads of WordPress and Genesis tutorials. Well worth a look.

Genesis For Beginners

  • pdf book

StudioPress.tv

  • Some basic videos from StudioPress

Brian Gardner

  • Code snippets and info from the man behind StudioPress

Sure Fire Web Services Inc
Web Design Tips, WordPress Development Help,and Genesis Framework Tutorials

  • Useful Genesis links page

WP Smith

  • Genesis code snippets

Looking for a StudioPress theme or hosting?

Check out the two links below…

Get Genesis Framework & StudioPress Themes free.

When you sign up for a WP Engine plan, you receive the Genesis Framework and 36 StudioPress Themes free. That’s over $2,000 in value.

Free themes with hosting
Get Premium WordPress Themes

Buy a StudioPress theme outright and use it on all of your sites. There are three ways to get all of the StudioPress themes AND save.

Choose Your Theme

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