Theme frameworks have always been around but lately they have begun to gain in popularity as more people discover the flexibility that they bring to the table. There is no doubt that there are more than enough themes available for WordPress to suit a number of needs but frameworks provide something different, they provide individuality.
There's a good sense of satisfaction to being able to create something unique for your site and theme frameworks are a good start on this path. They also help teach you about the structure of WordPress and how powerful it can be when it's used to it's full extent.
Here is a list of what we consider to be the best WordPress theme frameworks:
PageLines
A drag-and-drop platform that allows you to build a website in a professional way. PageLines theme offers an unmatched level of customization and, for the price, is an incredibly good deal. It produces clean code and amazing websites.
Some of the Features:
- Drag and Drop: A drag-and-drop platform that allows you to build a website in a professional way.
- Responsive Design: PageLines framework will dynamically respond to the resolution of your browser or device.
- Layout Control: Just drag & drop to set up your content layout dimensions. Then select each of your 5 layout options on a page-by-page basis.
- Section Control: Duplicate sections so that you can use them multiple times on the same page. Each section gets its own options and is controlled independently.
- Typography: Select from over 50 web-safe and Google fonts. Completely change the look of your website's typography in seconds.
- Color Control: Use color control to change the palette of your site in seconds. You can also change layout modes and add background images.
Interested? Try the demo
Elemental
Elemental is a powerful theme with a myriad of options. With 12 page templates, tons of widgets, and customization options, it won't take much to create a unique look for your site. Elemental was designed by the same development team that put together the incredible Mimbo Pro theme.
Website: Pro Theme Design
Thesis
Thesis is a very popular theme framework. There are tons of child themes for thesis available and it's known for performing well in the search engines. It provides a large number of options and is extremely configurable. There's a bit of a learning curve to get used to but once you do, it's quite amazing what can be done with this theme.
Website: Thesis
Genesis
Genesis is, quite simply, the most popular of the WordPress theme frameworks on the market. The reasons are simple: Amazing Support + Amazing Designs + Amazing pricing. Genesis offers state of the art code backed by some of the top WordPress developers out there. There are tons of child themes that can be used to create amazing sites and it's extremely extensible.
Here is just one sample of how it can look (there are tons of other options on their website):
Website: StudioPress – Genesis
Headway
Headway is another drag and drop capable theme for WordPress that allows you to create some pretty cool layouts for your site.
Some of the features:
- The Headway Grid allows you to build virtually any layout you can think of. You are no longer constrained to other limited drag and drop layout systems. Headway is beyond drag and drop.
- Add colors, background images, rounded corners, shadows, and more all without any code. Need to customize an element on one page, but not the other? No problem!
- Responsive grid, HTML5, and CSS3 support.
Check out the video showcasing this great theme:
Website: Headway Themes
Catalyst
Catalyst is an advanced theme framework that produces great, responsive websites. It is an HTML5 framework and there are child themes available for it as well.
Website: Catalyst Framework
There are definitely more frameworks out there but these are the ones that we think are the best of the best. What are your favorites?
