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Pre-made Theme or Custom Theme

Discussion in 'WordPress' started by alfieindesigns, Aug 27, 2014.

  1. #1
    This is a common question i've always heard about creating new wordpress sites.
    Q: Are we going to use a pre-made theme or a custom theme?

    Though based on my experience most of the clients are just buying pre-made theme and then they will ask you to modify it.
    Pros:
    - Almost done, just need some twicks
    Cons:
    - If the purchased theme is not well coded, it's hard to figure out some features

    As a Front-End Developer, I always prefer to start it from scratch base on the site requirements.
    Pros:
    - less file sizes, co'z only needed features will be added
    Cons:
    - consume some extra time to build (though sometimes it's easier than editing pre-made theme)

    You? What's your experience about this?
    Please add you thoughts...

    Thanks and God bless always!
     
    alfieindesigns, Aug 27, 2014 IP
  2. bvtonedog

    bvtonedog Well-Known Member

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    #2
    A custom theme will always (unless it is very poorly done) be better than a premade theme. Reasons being if it is truly custom its one of a kind and no other site will have it. It will help the site stand out and be unique .
    That being said, there are some great and easily changeable premade themes out there.
    Premades will normally save time so you will have a quicker deployment but custom should work out better in the long run. In my opinion.
     
    bvtonedog, Aug 29, 2014 IP
  3. alfieindesigns

    alfieindesigns Well-Known Member

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    #3
    yes bvtonedog, if you can find a very well-coded premade theme/s that's better to start with.
    And also yes, that custom theme should work out better in the long run since your the one who started it.
    You can easily modify and configure it in the future.

    Btw, do you know premade theme/s that is well-coded? Or anyone please?

    I tried nictitate theme for some of my client request, it's quite nice specially the Theme Option features.
    But overall performace, i think it's heavy.
     
    alfieindesigns, Sep 1, 2014 IP
  4. bvtonedog

    bvtonedog Well-Known Member

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    #4
    Just recently started a site with the "elmax" theme, its lightweight and simple, I'm liking it thus far.
     
    bvtonedog, Sep 1, 2014 IP
  5. Neil Dames

    Neil Dames Peon

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    #5
    For it depends on what is purpose of using the theme. If you are going to use it for personal blog or non niche related blog i suggest you use pre made theme but if its niche related then i suggest you use custom them for it.
     
    Neil Dames, Sep 3, 2014 IP
  6. carrieathomer

    carrieathomer Greenhorn

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    #6
    waste of time in building new theme unless you are paid more. Buy a premade theme and modify the color do some tweaks submit to client.
     
    carrieathomer, Sep 3, 2014 IP
  7. alfieindesigns

    alfieindesigns Well-Known Member

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    #7
    @Neil Dames: Yes, that's one thing you can consider of choosing when to use a pre made theme or a custom theme.

    @carrieathomer: Yes, you right. Specially if you are in a rapid production company that just needs to provide a clients an output. Though the challenge there is... you must choose the very appropriate theme so in the end you will give your client the best output (i.e. speed, optimized, etc.).

    Can anyone suggest the best pre-made theme?
    Something like... :
    - responsive
    - grade A/B in speed test
    - optimized
    - semantic

    Thanks in advanced. God bless you all!
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Mar 3, 2016
    alfieindesigns, Sep 8, 2014 IP
  8. Steven J Wilson

    Steven J Wilson Member

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    #8
    Custom is going to always be better but custom comes at a cost! To get a complete theme made from scratch could cost a few thousand dollars depending on your needs.

    I recommend using a quality themes like on the Genesis Frame work which would only cost you about $60 (US). Then for only a few hundred dollars you can get someone to make some customizations to the theme you purchased.

    How does something like that sound?
     
    Steven J Wilson, Sep 14, 2014 IP
  9. alfieindesigns

    alfieindesigns Well-Known Member

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    #9
    @Steven J Wilson: Nice! Thanks for sharing your thoughts...
    Actually some of my colleagues are using the Genesis Framework and they said it's one of the quality themes.
    I think, i may try that one soon so I can also give my feedback..

    Hmm.. i was encountered working with Jupiter Theme.. it has a lot of features too, but heavy in terms of performance...

    So we have now some in our list:
    - Genesis Framework

    What else we can add?
     
    alfieindesigns, Sep 15, 2014 IP
  10. JPC-Sabrina

    JPC-Sabrina Member

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    #10
    It really depends on the project. I think the Genesis framework is great for prefabs. Unless it is a large scale custom request I say use a template and save time. The trick is to make sure you aren't 'getting a buggy theme. Choose your theme well. The extra effort will save you time and headaches in the end.
     
    JPC-Sabrina, Sep 16, 2014 IP
  11. alfieindesigns

    alfieindesigns Well-Known Member

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    #11
    @JPC-Sabrina: Yeah, it's exactly always depends on the project scope. Based on your experience what other themes you can share, like for example from simple to large scale of project? Thanks in advanced. God bless always!
     
    alfieindesigns, Sep 17, 2014 IP
  12. kniveswood

    kniveswood Well-Known Member

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    #12
    I prefer to use pre-made themes and customize them. :)
     
    kniveswood, Sep 17, 2014 IP
  13. alfieindesigns

    alfieindesigns Well-Known Member

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    #13
    Yes! Specially when the project is a lil bit urgent... lol
    Oh btw, what are the usual theme/s you are using? Thanks!
     
    alfieindesigns, Sep 17, 2014 IP
  14. alfieindesigns

    alfieindesigns Well-Known Member

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    #14
    Does anyone experience working in some large premade theme?
    I'm just wondering how long is the usual production period of doing a great themes for sale.

    Thanks and God bless always!
     
    alfieindesigns, Sep 25, 2014 IP
  15. Saqib Rauf

    Saqib Rauf Member

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    #15
    I am using hueman, highly customisable and you can get any layout you want.
     
    Saqib Rauf, Oct 1, 2014 IP
  16. alfieindesigns

    alfieindesigns Well-Known Member

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    #16
    Thanks will give it a try for some of my project.

    Btw, are you guys familiar with underscores (http: // underscores .me/) ? It's a starter theme for WP, useful when your creating child-theme i think.
     
    alfieindesigns, Oct 1, 2014 IP
  17. amybrownwpx

    amybrownwpx Greenhorn

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    #17
    Thanks you for this post my friend.
    Well being a web developer, develop a new wordpress theme instead of custom theme is more beneficial according to user point of view and developers point of view as well.

    Thanks & Regards
    Have a nice day... :)
     
    amybrownwpx, Oct 13, 2014 IP
  18. Sandra Harriette

    Sandra Harriette Banned

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    #18
    I must say that custom theme is really a good way to go because you'll want to provide scalable web solutions that can be adjusted to your business needs as you scale. Having that flexibility will really give conversions a boost too because digital tools are constantly changing and being updated. D5 Creation makes themes that work seamlessly with WP core updates. They offer, in my opinion, the best responsive WordPress theme providers. I would recommend these, some of my favorite themes:
    d5creation.com/themegallery


    Those updates will seriously come in handy when it comes time to rebrand and re-develop your site.
     
    Sandra Harriette, Oct 16, 2014 IP
  19. alfieindesigns

    alfieindesigns Well-Known Member

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    #19
    Same here amybrownwpx! I personally do custom one, since most of my client had different scope on their website needs. And in the long run, we can easily change/twick some parts of the site.
    Though some of my clients are really needs a fast turnaround time, and they bought premade themes then ask me to reskin it according to their branding.

    Again, thanks and God bless always!

    Hi Sandra Harriette! Nice, it seems that most of us (developer) are really on the go with custom theme rather that premade. And thank you for sharing D5 Creation.. will check them for consideration on my next project.

    Again, thanks and God bless always!

    Btw, you guys familiar with "Jupiter - Multi-Purpose Responsive Theme", we were using it before i mean the version 3 and it was kinda' heavy in terms of speed optimization.
    But now their updates on Jupiter 4 is fast and efficient. I may suggest this premade theme for some fast WP projects. Also they integrated the "Visual Composer" for the content creation, so nice so far!

    Anyone have any suggestions? Thank and God bless always!
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Mar 3, 2016
    alfieindesigns, Nov 4, 2014 IP