You have probably seen once the name “Genesis Framework” while you are searching for a WordPress theme.
I agree that the name looks a little bit of weird and too technical…
And that’s why you probably didn’t really dig a little bit more about it.
I must admit that it also took me some months before to take a deep interest in the Genesis Framework.
To help you to learn what is actually behind this framework, I’m going to explain to you its features.
And also why I decided to use it for my WordPress theme.
What is the Genesis Framework?
As we know WordPress is also a framework (written in PHP programming language).
The framework Genesis is a “software” created by Studiopress who works like a “toolbox”.
Technically, Genesis is wrapping the WordPress core.
It’s an extra layer between WordPress and the Template (theme) of your website.
To make much easier to understand let’s take some metaphors:
- You can compare WordPress the main framework, to your car’s engine.
- Genesis Framework is the car body without painting.
- And the theme (template, design of your website) is the painted, pimped side of the car.
The main purpose of the Genesis Framework is to make WordPress’ themes easier to maintain.
The Genesis Framework is focusing on the structure of your website.
For example, integrating the last trends in terms of HTML, microdata tags, additional information who makes your website faster and Search Engine Optimization (SEO) friendly.
Why choose the Genesis Framework from Studiopress?
Now that you have a rough idea about what is this Genesis, let me share with you my point of view.
What are the pros and cons of the Genesis Framework, and why I decided to use it?
Pros
One time payment including unlimited updates
One of the most attractive points is undoubtedly the fact that the Genesis Framework will only cost you 59.95$ once!
Indeed, where most of “professional” WordPress theme’s gives you limited license, updates or support, the Genesis Framework allows you to
use it on all your websites without any limitations and with free updates.
It’s as if you have your team working on the structure of your website for free, indefinitely.
Make your website well structured
Talking about the structure, a lot of WordPress themes in the market are not well structured.
For example, it’s not rare to find free or paid themes who don’t use markups in the right way by:
- Not using HTML5 tags
- Don’t use the H1 tag for the main title
- Using redundant H1 when you should using only once
- Put some unwanted H3 tags everywhere (ex: sidebar)
- Don’t have a breadcrumb or don’t use microdata (nest metadata within existing content on web pages).
Etc..
The Genesis Framework will keep your website very well structured by using corrects tags and last trends in HTML 5, microdata…
Search Engine Optimization friendly
As introduced above, the Genesis Framework is created by professionals, integrating strategies for Search Engine Optimization (SEO).
It means that your website will rank better and get more visibility on the internet and searching engine like Google.
Large choice of child themes
A Child themes in WordPress is simply a theme who is inheriting the functionalities of the parent’s theme (here the Genesis Framework).
You will have a large choice of Child Themes available (around 74.96$ each) on Studiopress website.
Note that if you are hosting your website on WP engine, Genesis Framework and its child themes will be included for free in your monthly subscription.
But if you are digging on the web, you can also find some good customized Child Theme created by freelancers for cheaper prices.
If you are searching for a high customizable child theme for Genesis Framework, I also recommend you to check my template (only 29.99$):
Get my Child Theme (Genesis Fred) for Genesis Framework
Smart framework for developers
If you are a programmer or designer, you should consider using the Genesis Framework for its maintainability and modularity.
It’s very easy to maintain because the structure is already created by the framework, you just have to focus on the design, way to rearrange elements on your page and implementing your own features.
Almost all main elements (ex: header, navigation, sidebar, content, search, footer…) are modular and you can overwrite them.
It will probably make you gain a lot of time in your development.
Cons
A lot of child themes are not optimized
Although the Genesis Framework itself is well coded and documented.
Child themes in the market are created by different designers and developers.
And unfortunately, it’s not rare to find some non-optimized themes even on the Studiopress website (moreover they are not cheap).
It’s easy to get baited by well-looking theme and realize that the quality and functionalities behind are not following…
When I bought the Genesis Framework, I also bought some Child Themes on their website.
And I’ll be honest, I don’t think this Child theme was worth money (74.96$).
It was not really what I expected…
Here a theme that I bought:
My deceptions about this theme:
- The theme shows you a popup on the left side but can’t set up it. I suppose it’s an extra plugin to install.
- There’s no chatbox as shown.
- The customization options are very minimal: You can only change some predefined blocks on the front page and you can only change one damn color.
- Worst, the HTML source code is not optimized (there’s some dirty CSS and it’s definitely not “Pro”)
Having a theme who is not so flexible and don’t have many customization options can be very frustrating.
That’s why I gave up on this theme and I decided to create a child theme by myself (you can check it here).
The learning curve as developer
Another inconvenience about Genesis Framework, if you are a developer a designer, is probably the learning curve.
It took me 2-3 months to really understand the logic behind the framework.
If you are not a developer or designer, you can forget about this point.
But I recommend you to hire an experimented developer if you plan to order an original child theme for your brand or company.
Conclusion
In overall, the Genesis Framework itself is without any doubts a very great product.
Whoever you are: a non-technical person, a developer or designer, using Genesis can greatly benefit your website and business.
But just as much as other WordPress themes, Genesis Framework’s child themes quality and functionalities can vary depending on whom made it.
So It will be hard to find a good template that fits 100% to what you want unless you are hiring a developer for.
Anyway, I think that using Genesis Framework with a Child theme still a better choice than using most of WordPress Themes (who are not SEO friendly).
So that’s why I recommend you to use it.
Everything published made a bunch of sense. But, what about this? what if you wrote a catchier post title? I ain’t suggesting your content isn’t solid., however what if you added a title that makes people want more? I mean Genesis framework : Why I’m using this wordpress theme ? My review is a little boring. You could look at Yahoo’s home page and see how they create news headlines to grab viewers to click. You might try adding a video or a related pic or two to get readers excited about everything’ve written. Just my opinion, it would bring your posts a little livelier.
Yes, I found 🙂