9+ Best WordPress Frameworks for fast theme developmentTweet This
WordPress theme frameworks allow theme designers to create theme layouts quickly without having to code everything from scratch.
This makes the developer’s life easy, especially when they need to send regular updates to their users. Every WordPress theme designer, now, prefers using a framework because it simplifies their task and it helps them develop themes faster than the traditional method.
The Problem:
Gone are the days where developers have problems upgrading theme without losing all their custom styling options.
A WordPress theme framework is a code library that facilitates in the development of the theme.
Before, there was no way of preventing bugs or losing custom styling options in a theme. Developers simply copy and paste the functionality of one code to the other. While this may seem like not much of a problem, some of the codes they “copy and paste” comes with a security exploit.
What if this is the theme made available to anyone to download and customize?
Thus, the concept of Parent Theme and Child theme was created.
WordPress theme frameworks are intended to be used as a Parent Theme template. This is where all the functionality resides. When developers want that functionality of the Parent Theme, all they need to do is to create a Child Theme then add their own custom styling and functionality of their own.
This allows for a centralized location where all the functions are. If there are problems with the Parent Theme or some codes need to be depreciated, the developers simply push out an update. The modifications and functions made by the Child Theme aren’t affected.
The main reason people use frameworks, is to speed up development. These frameworks cut their development time by up to 80%. All frameworks have their own functionality and customization options, so they don’t have to do it everything by hand.
Here we present some of the best wp frameworks that developers love:
Genesis
Editor’s #1 Pick! Genesis Framework is the most talked about and proven WordPress theme framework. They are well-known for having well-optimized codes, and SEO friendly themes. Genesis Framework is highly customizable which is why it is always used with a child theme. Any beginner or expert developer can easily adapt to Genesis Framework. This blog is created using Genesis and we are very happy with the results.
Thesis
Editor’s #2 Pick! Thesis is a great framework for personal blogs and business websites. What is great about this theme is that it lets you do things that a WordPress theme can’t. You’ll get the designs you love, customize it at will, tweak it – all these without ever writing a code.
WooFramework
Another popular WordPress theme framework is WooFrameworks. WooFramework is best known for eCommerce sites. There are a lot of themes available and most of it is free. The level of customization available in WooFramework is almost limitless. They provide a whole set of themes, functions, and plugins all wrapped out under one branding.
iThemes
iThemes is a WordPress framework that lets you create WordPress sites quicky and create your own layouts easily using their site builder tool. The iThemes Builder lets you choose from the building blocks of a selected template. Fron there on, you can insert a couple of modules like the header, navigation, content area, widget area, etc. all without having to code.
Headway
Headway is popular for its drag and drop framework. Use this framework is you want to build a layout from scratch, then customize it to whatever you want. What sets headway apart is their intuitive Headway Visual Editor.
PageLines
PageLines is another drag and drop framework which lets you create responsive websites without having to code. It is one of the oldest WordPress theme framework and powers most of the WordPress sites today.
Gantry
The Gantry Framework is known for its updatable file that just updates the Gantry Framework. To prevent security issues and flaws, this Frameworks only works with the latest version of WordPress.
Themify
Themify is a flexible framework in which developers have complete control over their themes. Users can customize any theme without the need to write any code or edit any template.
Backbone
Backbone is a powerful WordPress framework offering limitless capabilities. The framework features numerous child themes, page templates, theme panel and more.
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