Are you wondering what is a WordPress theme framework and if you should be using one?
WordPress theme frameworks help developers build beautiful child themes more quickly. However, they come with their own advantages and disadvantages that you may want to consider.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explain exactly what is a WordPress theme framework, the different types of frameworks, and when you should use one for your site. We’ll also go over the pros and cons so you can make an informed decision.
Finally, we’ll share some of the best WordPress theme frameworks and help you choose the right one.
Contents
What is a WordPress Theme Framework?
A WordPress theme framework is a coded structure that acts as the foundation for designing WordPress themes. It contains the core functions and features that are needed to build a WordPress theme.
The framework handles all the background coding work like registering menus, adding widget areas, enqueueing scripts and styles, etc.
This allows the theme developer to focus only on designing the theme frontend and customizing the styling.
You can think of a theme framework as the skeleton and a theme as the skin. The skeleton provides structure and support while the skin provides the look and feel.
Theme frameworks speed up theme development significantly. Developers can create child themes quickly by customizing a parent framework instead of coding everything from scratch.
Frameworks also make upgrading and maintaining themes much easier. For example, if the framework gets a security update, all child themes will be updated as well.
Here are some of the most common features found in popular WordPress theme frameworks:
- Basic theme structure (header, footer, sidebar etc.)
- Core theme functions like menus, widgets etc.
- Customizer options for easy theme customization
- Custom templates for pages, posts, archives etc.
- SEO optimization features and best practices
- Security enhancements and performance optimizations
- Developer friendly codebase and detailed documentation
- Options for child theme creation and customization
In summary, a theme framework eliminates the repetitive coding work and allows developers to reuse code for faster theme development.
Types of WordPress Theme Frameworks
There are a few different types of WordPress theme frameworks available:
1. Parent and Child Theme Frameworks
This is the traditional framework structure where you have a main parent theme and create child themes off of it.
The parent theme (framework) contains all the core functionality. The child themes provide custom styling and overrides to change the design.
Some examples of parent/child frameworks are Genesis, Thesis, Canvas, etc.
2. Standalone Frameworks
Standalone frameworks contain all the code within a single theme. You don’t need separate parent and child themes.
Instead, they provide hooks and methods to override code and customize the design without affecting framework updates.
Examples of standalone frameworks include Underscores, Bones, FoundationPress, etc.
3. Page Builder Frameworks
These frameworks integrate a drag and drop page builder into the theme. This allows you to design and customize WordPress sites visually.
Examples include Divi, Beaver Builder, Elementor, Brizy, etc. Some like Elementor are standalone themes while others like Beaver Builder are addons to existing frameworks.
4. Theme Frameworks With Starter Sites
These frameworks come bundled with complete website demos built with the framework. You can import and customize these starter sites.
For example, Astra theme, Kadence theme, GeneratePress, etc. have starter sites available as addons.
Pros and Cons of Using a Theme Framework
Let’s take a look at some of the advantages and disadvantages of using a theme framework on your WordPress site:
Advantages
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Faster theme development – The ability to reuse code speeds up building new themes significantly.
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Easier customization – Most frameworks make it easier to customize and override code when needed.
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Improved security – Frameworks add extra security enhancements and get timely updates.
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Better performance – Optimized code leads to faster load times. Useful for WordPress SEO.
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Access to libraries – Get access to code libraries, tools, templates, demos etc.
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Shared knowledge – Documentation and community support help solve issues faster.
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Child theme benefits – Ability to update parent without affecting child theme customizations.
Disadvantages
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Learning curve – There is a learning curve to understanding how frameworks are structured.
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Limitations – Frameworks may be restrictive in some cases requiring workarounds.
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Bloat – Unused framework code can slow down sites. Needs optimization.
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Cost – Paid frameworks have an additional cost for use and updates.
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Lock-in – Changing frameworks means redeveloping the site partially or fully.
As you can see, the pros generally outweigh the cons for most use cases. For developers building client sites, the time savings itself makes frameworks worthwhile.
Do You Need a WordPress Theme Framework?
Here are a few things to consider when deciding if you need a theme framework:
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Are you a developer building themes for clients? If so, a framework is highly recommended.
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Do you want access to starter sites and demo templates? Page builder frameworks or standalone frameworks with demo content are a great option.
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Is ease of customization important? Standalone frameworks make overrides simpler.
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Do you plan on building multiple sites with similar base code? Parent/child frameworks allow code reuse.
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Is speed and performance important? Frameworks help optimize code for best practices.
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Do you want child theme benefits for safe upgrades? A parent theme framework is best.
For most developers and even site owners, a theme framework provides enough benefits to be worthwhile. Make sure to go with an actively maintained framework with proper documentation and support.
How to Choose the Best WordPress Theme Framework
Here are a few things to keep in mind when choosing the best WordPress theme framework for your needs:
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Purpose – Will you use it for theme development or building live sites?
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Skill level – Assess your skill level. Advanced frameworks have a steeper learning curve.
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Type – Decide which framework type works best for you.
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Features – Look for necessary features like templates, widgets, custom post types, etc.
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Customization – Check how easy it is to override default code and styles.
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Community & support – An active community makes support and learning easier.
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Updates – Regular updates and bug fixes improve security and functionality.
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Documentation – Good docs help in learning and implementing the framework.
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Performance – The framework should be lightweight and optimized for speed.
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Price – Factor in any costs associated with premium frameworks.
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License – Make sure the framework has the right license for your use.
Once you’re clear on your needs and criteria, you can narrow down the best WordPress theme framework for your next project.
6 Best WordPress Theme Frameworks
Now that you know how to pick the right framework, let’s look at some of the best options available:
1. Genesis Framework
Genesis is arguably the most popular WordPress theme framework in the market. It is built and maintained by StudioPress which is now a part of WP Engine.
Key Features:
- Parent and child theme structure
- Lots of child themes available
- SEO optimized codebase
- Customizer options for easy customization
- Active community support and docs
- Free when you sign up for WP Engine hosting
Genesis is a great framework choice for developers due to its clean code, security, and SEO best practices. The one downside is the lack of a drag and drop page builder which some users may prefer.
2. Elementor
Elementor is a leading free WordPress page builder that also doubles up as a theme framework.
Key Features:
- Visual page builder for designing sites
- Lots of powerful widgets and templates
- Option for theme building with Theme Builder
- Great for building landing pages and simple sites
- Active community support and resources
Elementor is perfect for developers as well as site owners who want drag and drop convenience. With addons like Theme Builder and Full Site Editor, you can use it as a complete framework.
3. Astra
Astra is one of the fastest growing free WordPress themes. It serves as a simple yet flexible framework for building websites.
Key Features:
- Lightweight and fast theme
- Easy customization options
- Works with all page builders
- Starter site templates available
- Active development and updates
Astra is great for developers who want maximum flexibility to use any page builder. It‘s also beginner friendly with the starter site imports and can be customized deeply with a little coding knowledge.
4. GeneratePress
GeneratePress is a lightweight WordPress theme framework that focuses on speed and usability.
Key Features:
- Extremely fast and lightweight
- Supports all page builders
- Easy to customize design and layout
- Numerous starter sites available
- Very affordable pricing for pro version
GeneratePress is among the fastest themes out there. The starter sites allow you to develop sites quickly. While not having the largest community, their active forums provide good support.
5. Themify
Themify framework along with its drag and drop page builder is a complete theme solution for WordPress.
Key Features:
- Visual page builder to design pages
- 40+ pre-made WordPress themes
- Custom widgets and theme options
- Lots of customization flexibility
- Starter site templates and layouts
Themify is perfect for users looking for an all-in-one visual theme and page builder solution. From beginners to developers, it provides the flexibility to build and customize sites.
6. Divi
Divi by Elegant Themes is one of the most popular premium WordPress themes. The visual builder doubles up as a framework.
Key Features:
- Intuitive drag and drop builder
- 100+ layout packs and templates
- Easy customization with global elements
- Great for building all site types
- Excellent community support
Divi is great for beginners and developers alike. You can build an unlimited number of sites with one framework using the Divi Builder. Just be prepared for a significant learning curve.
Conclusion
We hope this detailed guide helped give you clarity on what WordPress theme frameworks are and how to choose one.
To summarize:
- Frameworks speed up theme development and make customization easier.
- They provide improved security, performance, and access to resources.
- However, frameworks have limitations, a learning curve, and sometimes additional costs.
- Do your research to pick a framework that aligns with your skill level and project needs.
- Popular frameworks like Genesis, Elementor, Astra, and Divi are great to get started.
If you are still unsure about getting started with frameworks, we recommend trying out some free frameworks first. This will allow you to evaluate if frameworks are suitable for your goals.
We hope this article helped you learn more about WordPress theme frameworks. You may also find our comparison of the best WordPress page builders and guide on how to make a WordPress website useful.
If you have any questions on implementing a framework, let us know in the comments section below!
