My Internet Marketing Insider site was long overdue for a makeover. While working on other sites and projects, this site has been pushed to the back of the line for far too long.
WordPress is my platform of choice
It’s no secret that I like using WordPress for all types of marketing sites, whether an Internet marketing site or simple niche marketing sites. WordPress makes it easy to build any type of site. Over the years, the templates for word press have become quite sophisticated. The days of spending hours editing the core files of your site are nearly gone.
The downside to editing the core files of any WordPress theme is the problems that can come when it’s time for an update. I was guilty of editing the core files of the old theme used on this site, while it was a good learning experience, way too much time was wasted. Many people spend a great deal of time going after the perfect look for their sites.
Coding vs a Secluded Beach
Edit code or Secluded Beach?
Seems like a pretty easy choice, sit in front of a computer hacking code to make your site look perfect. Or spend more free time at a secluded beach somewhere.
No offense to people who love spending their time messing with computer code.
As a systems administrator in a previous life, I’ve written and hacked more code than I would care to admit.
So what is your preference? Edit code or goof off at the beach?
There is way more to life than editing computer code.
For ease of use and a philosophy for not editing the core word press theme files, there is one theme that stands above the rest. The Thesis theme was created by Chris Pearson with the objective for users to never edit the core theme files.
The advantages of having a theme with separate custom files is huge. If you ever spent time editing a WordPress theme to get your site to look the way you wanted, you know what I mean. When the theme creator updates the theme, you are stuck having to make all those edits again. Not with the Thesis theme! Any customizing you do for your site is handled with separate custom files. No more hassles with updating your theme or updating word press. No more making the same edits with each upgrade!
Here’s a quote from Chris Pearson: “the most flexible theme on the planet is now faster, more efficient, and smarter than ever before.” Well as a user of the Thesis theme, I can honestly say that he is absolutely right.
The real kicker with the Thesis theme for me is the separation of the custom files from the core theme files. The amount of time that saves me with theme updates is substantial. With all the built in SEO features and site control panels, Thesis is one powerful theme.
Thesis sports two control panels
Once the Thesis theme is installed and activated, there are two control panels that show up. The Thesis Options and Thesis Design Options pages give you point and click control over many things in your site.
Thesis Options Page
Thesis Design Options Page
Note that each section opens up with a click to expose all the options available. The two settings pages shown above only scratch the surface of what is under the hood of a Thesis theme. Chris packed a great deal of power into the SEO side of things and built in abilities that eliminate the need for many plug ins.
Open Hook Plug in adds another page of options
A separate plug in was created by Rick Beckman called Open Hook. A free plug in that adds another options page, giving you a whole new level of power in controlling your site.
Most WordPress themes leave you flopping in the wind when it comes to support. Thesis has a very active owners forum ready to help when you need it. Rick Beckman is very active, providing tips and tricks that make using the Thesis theme even easier.
Amazing design work by many users
While I specifically left this site plain and only set a few of the options available. Just so some friends and associates can see what it looks like by default. I’ll alter and change the design over time. The default theme sports a clean look that is easy to use as is. Depending on the purpose of the site, using the default theme works quite well. The main thing is going live your site and getting the site started. The design can be changed at any time.
Taking a little time to look around the Thesis site, you’ll find some amazing designs created by a wide range of talented users. The flexibility of the theme is impressive.
One learning curve or many?
There is a learning curve with any theme and Thesis is no different. Any theme can be learned as you go too. The main advantages to Thesis that sets it above all others is the emphasis on the future. Any customizing done is only done once, no need to edit files again with each update. That feature saves a great deal of time.
With so many design options available, many different sites can be created for any type of site. Having only one learning curve saves even more time. As a grandpa, saving time is very important to me. The time saved can be spent goofing off with my little buddies at the beach. Sure beats the heck out of messing with theme code.
John Stiles
{ 1 comment… read it below or add one }
Well said, John – the ultimate benefit (and selling point) of modernization has been efficiency, or the quest for it.
The efficiencies of Thesis are real, though it’s the kind of real one must earn. Like you, we’ve found Thesis to be very liberating once past the learning curve and into the earning curve.
If you grow weary of ankle-turning sandlots, turn yourself inland and pay us a visit. You’ll know when you’ve found us: far-rolling meadows, devoid of lesser mammals, where even the insects (that remain) are positively docile.