Although I don’t use the Genesis Framework for this website (I use Standard Theme), I’m extremely familiar with it, and I work with it quite a bit with my clients and developers. Since StudioPress (creator of the Genesis Framework) just released its exciting new Genesis 2.0 HTML5 (still in Beta), I thought it was a good time to review the WordPress Genesis Theme Framework here.
Table of Contents
The Genesis Framework
Genesis is a secure, search engine optimized framework for building fast and easy WordPress websites. It doesn’t matter whether you’re new to creating websites, or you’re an advanced web developer, you’ll find it’s simple to build powerful, great-looking WordPress websites with a variety of options. The truth is, if you’re not so good at WordPress or design, it is a PERFECT place to start!
When you purchase the Genesis Pro Plus Package, not only do you get the Framework for creating WordPress websites, but you also get a bunch of WordPress theme templates (and any future theme templates they create) to get you up and going quickly.
Take a look below at one of our new themes. We’ve heavily customized this one. But as you can see we’re using the slider.
It’s Search Engine Optimized
When I say “search engine optimized,” I mean more than just “there’s a neat little spot for you to include your meta information within the framework.” (You can do that with the All in One SEO plugin.)
Genesis makes it easy for the search engines to spider your website to rank your content (and rank it well). This is thanks to the organized architecture, clean coding, and Google Authorship feature that makes a confirmed connection between the content you have on the web and your Google+ profile. (That makes you eligible for Authorship Rich Snippets in the search results.)
When you use a child theme, you can update or change your website every day if you want without hurting your search engine rankings because the code and design are completely separate within the Framework. When you change the design, you’re just changing the design. All of the operational coding and search engine optimization features included don’t change (unless you change them).
You Get a Ton of Designs
The themes that you get with Genesis are much more than just limiting, fill-in-the-blank, “insert your text here” templates. Sure, you can use them that way if you want, but you do have absolute control over how you use the templates. Even better, you don’t have to use any of the theme templates at all.
With the Genesis Framework, you can build your own WordPress themes from scratch, and there’s no limit on the number of websites you can create. Since it’s pretty simple and straightforward to use, the Genesis Framework is a great way to get a professional-looking design without having to hire a designer.
You Get Unlimited Updates and Support
When you purchase the Genesis Framework, you get unlimited automatic updates so you don’t have to worry about your code getting out of date or losing your excellent website optimization.
You get detailed tutorials that can help you achieve amazing results, and StudioPress even has a dedicated support team and customer forum. There’s definitely no shortage of help if you have a problem or a question.
Advanced Integrated Security
Unfortunately, we live in a world where some people enjoying hacking into websites for malicious reasons. Getting hacked can damage your reputation, and put your and your customers’ information at risk.
Getting your website back online is also a hassle that takes lots of time, and that’s time where you’re not only losing new customers, but you’re probably also losing old customers who lost faith in you as well. When you use the Genesis Framework for your website, you get advanced, integrated security features that keep it secure.
Building Your Website Is Easy
Even if you’re a newbie to web design, you can build a website with the Genesis Framework. All it takes is a few clicks or drag-and-drops to create pages, blog posts, sections, special functions, and more with awesome features like:
- Fully featured widgets
- Ad code widgets
- Custom color choice
- Font style and size
- Image auto sizing
- Social media sharing buttons
- Number of posts shown
- Custom RSS feed URL
- Threaded comment and trackback options
- Integrated gravatars
- Translation options
- Author bio boxes
- Custom layout options with or without sidebar
- Post archive and category choices
- Custom header and footer scripts
- Automatic breadcrumbs
- And more
Responsive Themes
Yes, they have you covered there as well! Some of there themes are also responsive. You can check how my theme looks when the window size is changed. I really like responsive themes and the web is moving that way. How great is going to be the day when not matter what device you use, you’ll still have the same content laid out.
I should point out that I believe that the trend online will be for responsive themes and NOT for mobile websites. Honestly, no company wants to have two websites to manage! It is much easier to have one single website that also acts as a mobile site as well. Notice how this WordPress theme can act as a corporate site and also serve as a blog. Very powerful when you think about it!
Not all of the Genisis themes are responsive, but you can select the one you want and make sure it fits your needs. I can’t remember which theme we picked because our team has made so many changes to it, but again I will tell you that Google loves the code and it is very well optimized.
My Opinion of Genesis
The Genesis Framework is fantastic. Amazing designs, awesome features, simple framework, clean coding, great support, and a reasonable price, especially considering you get free updates and can create as many WordPress websites as you want if you get the Pro Plus Package. Pretty cool.
There are currently three options for purchasing Genesis. I’m not sure if that’ll change when the new Beta version goes live, so keep that in mind if you’re considering buying it. Right now, you can:
- Get the Genesis Framework with a child theme
- Get the Genesis Framework with all child themes
- Get the Genesis Framework only (and create your own theme)
Are you using the Genesis Framework? How about the new Genesis 2.0 HTML5 Beta version? If so, I want to hear about how it works for you. Leave a comment.