Anyone make a living with selling wordpress themes?

Hi guys,

I'd just like your opinion about how was it like?-- like selling wordpress themes for a living. I'm quite interested, partly as to improve my developer skills and partly to test my would be job as I plan to quit my day job some time near the future.

Anyone have experience?

Can you make a decent income and support your family?

Thanks,

 

Im sure you could if your willing to work hard and can do quality work. I think your best bet would be providing a custom theme making service rather than premade themes. Or perhaps even building a collection of themes around local businesses and then selling them as a package to internet marketers to sell to their own clients...set up your own affilate type program.

 

After looking at your question, it seems the best way to make a living with WP themes is the same
way programmers make a living with their software creations. It is called the Freemium model.

You offer up a free and a paid version of your theme and then go from there. LINK

 

Thanks for the idea, I can make custom premium themes, but scare to begin. I used to customized pre-made themes for customer but the paid isn't good and some times not easy to collect payments. Some customers just pretend to forget about it.

 

No problem..

Make them pay before they download.

Do not be overly nice.

 

It's very difficult to get sales from word press themes, unless you have designed your own. Even then the theme has to add value to the webmaster. I know some guys have done extremely well with Amazon themes and plugins

 

You definitely HAVE to be a designer to get money, man. It's like, obvious. Why need to pay for smth pre-made?

 

Most everything worth doing is difficult. WP themes are no different from other jobs. Do you sell WP themes or plugins?

 

I would think selling wordpress themes as a package would be best. What would be best it to try and target a niche within the wordpress world. Do some keyword research and see if a particular type of theme is looked for. For example maybe cute doggie wordpress themes. I am guessing there are not that many puppy themes out there that are good quality. So that is my advice, make the best puppy themes you can! Good luck.

 

That sounds like a plan... thanks.

 

you could sell your themes on the envato marketplace.
themeforest.net allows anyone to sell and buy themes, they have a huge community and i've used them plenty of times.

 

Go for it... plenty of people are making a living from selling wordpress themes... research the market and look at other people doing the same....

templatic.com
alohathemes.com
elegantthemes.com
premiumpress.com

To name but a few...

 

You could also sell links in the footer of your themes and then release them as free. It probably still works here on DP: http://forums.digitalpoint.com/forumdisplay.php?f=128

 

if you are really good at what you do and can create your own unique design, then yes, you do have a bright prospective future. Being a great web designer is not good enough just like a great cook who failed in his own business. To be successful in your own niche and strength, you must prepare to go extra mile but work "smart" and you need working partners who are equally good in the business development front and better still with capital to invest. There's certainly more to it than just venturing out on your own with only your own talent and skill because you will be exploited and took advantage of.
Just look at those established designers in Themeforest, or Envato network, they have to keep updating their creations because their themes are distributed all over the internet spreading like wildfire. Doing such kind of business is very time-consuming on your part and it will affect your health or your lifestyle and those of your loved ones if you took on too many projects. So outsource most of the work is a good option.
Do some brainstorming, sketch out your plans and directions, ideas, options, etc... so you can see clearer and a good reminder as well. If it's your future..... then just start first with your first project and always get paid at least 50 percent upfront. That's how I got started 9 years ago.

Good luck and best wishes.

 

Only with his permission:

 

That's the saying of long ago - and just a saying. The reality of the matter is that everyday, people exploit other people for their ignorance, stupidity and so on.... you get the picture.

regardless of how smart one thinks...... the exploitation can go unnoticed and without ones knowing it....... we are being exploited everyday....the telcos, the cable tvs and so on ...you get the picture. you bent and they ride you,.... because either you submit to their terms or you dont get it. All big businesses exploit and take advantage of its employees, customers and their shareholders. Welcome to the real world and stop believing in those old sayings.

Best wishes to all!

 

The people of the old days had more wisdom...


This guy wont be taken advantage of while you are I are here right? You will help him right? All he has to do is listen to the right people and he will not be taken advantage of...

 

Themeforest is a good place to get your name out

 

U can sell links on the theme!! and submit the theme to free wp theme directories !!

 

It's always saying what we have to say ...and it's up to the person whether he chose to listen or ignore. Just like what people encouraged others to do.....go with your heart........ and regardless of common sense? how many exactly knows what their heart actually wants?

about exploitation by others has been warned since the old wisdom years but what happened? people still ended up being exploited or otherwise, how are the big companies make money.
Even in this forum, there are people lurking around waiting to pounce on and exploit the ignorance and newbies. Even with warnings, it's hard to prevent because sometimes the templation to "too good to be true" deals often overtook our common sense and people just act irrationally.

I said what I have to say with good intentions..... nothing is absolute...and things you thought will not happened to you....could just happen. Dont talk about bent your back even turning your back can get you into trouble. The more true when it's in cyberspace.

Just think twice before you leap.

The first step to start something is always the most difficult one if one starts to think about the negative side. Chances are, one will never get started. Just do it is the way and keep tweaking it along the way. Going it on your own is always risky but success can be achieved by those who dare to stick their necks out.

When I first started out in 2000, it took me two long years before that to contemplate and hesitate due to fear of failure but I decided to take the plunge in 2000 and five years later to establish my online presence. It was quite a challenging experience for me and the fear of failure was what pushes me ahead to prove to myself that I can do it.

So, yes just do it and keep going.

Best wishes!