Update: I no longer use or recommend Thesis unless you’re using version 1.0. The latest release is completely different from the one reviewed here. I now use The Prose Theme.
I have a confession to make.
I used to have major trouble with commitment.
Commitment to WordPress themes, that is. 😉
I have been using WordPress for 14 months and bounced from theme to theme because I kept running into walls when it came to the customization piece.
And even though I’m not a complete novice when it comes to CSS, I’ve never been a fan of manipulating sections and columns of a pre-designed theme because I would often get lost in the nested div tags.
In English, that just means I could never get the design to do what I wanted. 😀 Nothing seemed to give me the no-hassle flexibility that I desired.
Until now.
You’ve probably heard the buzz about the Thesis WordPress theme. I have to admit, I wasn’t impressed when I first read about it because the out-of-the-box template looked a little bland to me.
“Why in the world would I pay for that??” is what I initially thought.
So I started researching it a little more, viewed a few blogs using the theme and eventually discovered Thesis offered three features I was looking for…
1) Easy customization
2) Support
3) SEO Optimized
DIYThemes boasts Thesis “does the heavy lifting behind the scenes” and allows you to “command your site with ease.” Boy, are they right. Never have I had a theme that is so easy to customize and I wish it hadn’t taken me so long to explore Thesis.
And if you’re reading or assuming it’s only for beginners, I would challenge you on that thought. Even though Thesis targets people who want a professional-looking blog without having to know much about coding, if you are savvy with CSS and PHP, this theme gives you even more flexibility to create amazing designs.
But don’t just take my word for it. Let me SHOW you what Thesis can do…
Thanks, Thesis for curing my commitment phobia. It’s just the therapy I needed. 😉
Lisa’s Advice: In my personal opinion, knowing CSS will help you unlock the real power of Thesis. You don’t HAVE to be fluent, but the more you know, the more you’ll be able to customize your theme’s design.
If you don’t know CSS, you can still move elements around the page (sidebars, etc.) without getting into the code. Plus, you can make more custom edits using the OpenHook plugin.
But if you want to really customize your header and make your overall design very different from the default, you should learn CSS. I taught myself the basics and I’m glad I did.
Hi Lisa I think you’re too busy heading on your projects right now because I’ve noticed that your post here freeze in March 30, 2009. However, I understand that quality not a quantity. I did find that this is a good example of mining ideas like a forum site through commenting system. Are you blown out with Thesis theme and shifting to SBI? By the way, I got new Thesis theme after winning chitika+adsense ad contest.
.-= Anton Amoto´s last blog … How to Make Money Online with Affiliate Programs =-.
Hi Lisa,
I just purchased the Thesis theme and was able to download the folder to my computer. (I may not have done this correctly–I ended up dragging it from the Thesis screen to the folder in my computer.)
I don’t understand the instructions regarding uploading it to my server (Hostgator). I’m a new blogger and am not familiar with the folder and file manipulations in cpanel’s File Manager. I have successfully uploaded zip files to the cpanel in the past, but this time the process seems to be different enough to be confusing to me. Is there anywhere I can go for really detailed instructions regarding the correct way to download the Thesis folder and then upload it to my server? The statement “Upload the new Thesis 1.5.1 folder to your /wp-content/themes folder has limited meaning to me. I created such a folder in the Public_html folder, but I have not been able to upload the Thesis files to it.
Thanks for you help,
Doug
Hi Doug,
Have you installed WordPress on your host yet? You can do this through the cpanel. when that is done, it will create the themes folder that you need to upload the files into.
Hi, yu go into WordPress and add the theme…Thesis…there is big ass button…says add themes…..you don’t go to yur hosting….
Hi Lisa,
Great video, I have just come across Thesis today and like your description. I am only using wordpress.com at the moment, do I need to be using wordpress.org to use this plugin?
A replay would be much appreciated as I cannot find the answer anywhere.
.-= Michael Todd´s last blog … Efficiency =-.
Yes, you must use WordPress.org to use Thesis. It’s not a plugin it’s a full theme.
Thanks for a fantastic video…NOW I know that this theme will be a great help. I wish there were more people who can explain things as well as you do!
.-= Sherm Cohen´s last blog … Ponytail Part 4 –The Rest of Issue #6, 1962 =-.
I would like to echo many of the less than enthusiastic comments here, ESPECIALLY those by MCNB: The Thesis page really implies more automation than exists . . . The support was also grossly overhyped . . . I suspect that the 33% commission is the reason there are so many positive reviews online. I feel TOTALLY DUPED – I know I can get my money back but I’ve spent so much time struggling with it that I feel it’s too late to give up now 🙁
I just bought Thesis, in part because of your video. On the one hand, Thesis is very good and there’s no doubt about that. On the other hand it has been grossly overhyped for novice users. I put myself in the medium category: I’ve tweaked CSS in other themes but do not know how to writ e it. The Thesis page really implies more automation than exists. It’s GREAT that you can change column size so easily but really anything else requires diving into CSS, just like any other theme. The support was also grossly overhyped: there are some very helpful users on the support forum but there are an equal number of people there who will jump down your throat if you express any minor dissatisfaction or frustration with Thesis. And then the author shuts down the thread. In fact, I read one admin’s post saying that support is only provided for technical issues but that people are NICE ENOUGH to respond to basic inquiries. It’s very telling that you cannot find a contact email address on the Thesis home page. I will probably stick with Thesis and slowly learn CSS but I would never recommend it to novices. I suspect that the 33% commission is the reason there are so many positive reviews online. Very few unbiased reviewers out there! It’s a great product for the right level of experience but, again, when it is being marketed to people who don’t know CSS there should be no suprise at the level of frustration that seeps throughout the “support” forum.
.-= MCNB´s last blog … Indonesia Wrap-Up =-.
Yeah that’s why I added that disclaimer to this post a while back. The more CSS you know, the more you’ll be able to do. If you don’t, then you’ll just be able to move things around. But as far as custom design… it will be very limited without knowledge of CSS. But the good news is, once you learn… it’s truly amazing. I can’t imagine using any other theme.
Great comment, thanks….i thought the same….great program….but…..so i have to stick with what it will do and what i can”t make it do….LOL
Oh well….
I have visited some websites using WordPress. Several do have “Snap” capabilities i.e. a preview of a website can be seen when the cursor hovers over a link to it. Can Thesis do the same? Just asking.
I have purchased Thesis and am struglling trying to find out how to change the background to something cooler than white. I like yours and would appreciate to know HOW you did that!! cool!
Rebecca, I learned by going to the Thesis forums. If you just type “change background” in the search box you’ll see a bunch of threads showing you how.
Hi Lisa,
thanks for your video and some insights about thesis, which may help me creating an onsite-blog. I’d like to add an onsite-blog (as subfolder) to my site http://www.astrologie-mit-herz.de. I’m not great in coding (4 out of 10?) and will have to manage some design adapting, i.e., the blog should have
-the same background colour
-the same header pic (actually two pics, just looking like one) like the homepage and
-a horizontal header navi with two rows of links (6 per row), leading to the pages outside the blog and containing a CSS-dropdown possibility.
I think (fear) this is not done just by clicking on some thesis design features, but how difficult with some good tutorials and forum help?
Martin
Great job, Lisa, on the Thesis video. Specifically, I like how you mentioned a feature and gave an example. I am a former teacher/coach and know how important this is. Yet, MANY Internet promoters do not know how to teach. Apparently, they’re great at doing but not at teaching.
Here’s a question for you or any THESIS “guru” out there: I want to create a traditional-looking real estate website with an integrated blog.
Will Thesis allow me to create various template pages (i.e. one for home page; one for sellers page; & one for buyers, etc?
If I want 3 columns (i.e. 1 left, main content & 1 right) for these traditional-looking website but 2 right columns for blog, will Thesis accommodate me?
Thanks!
Mike
.-= Mike´s last blog … Sarasota REALTOR Reveals $8,000 “Gift” When Buying Home! =-.
Hi Mike
I’m 90% positive you can. I remember reading another blog teaching you how to do that. Problem is, I don’t remember which one it is.
[time elapsed]
I found it! It’s a little involved but doable.
http://www.berchman.com/thesis-tutorial-multiple-custom-page-templates/
Hope that helps. 😉 Thanks for the compliment by the way.
Many, many THANKS, Lisa! 🙂 I will be sticking around. You really are helping people and I’m proof.
Mike
.-= Mike´s last blog … Sarasota REALTOR Reveals $8,000 “Gift” When Buying Home! =-.
Lisa:
This post & video are wonderful. You really spoke my language and I’m considering making the Thesis investment.
Thanks so much!
jules
Hello Lisa,
came across your site while researching Thesis, which I’ve decided to use for my next blog launch. It really does seem to have everything I would be interested in for blog flexibility.
You have a very nice blog site here as well, a testament to the power of that theme.
Thanks for sharing the video. I’ll be back to visit, having found a new friend. 🙂
.-= Jimi Jones´s last blog … The Making of a Professional Blogger =-.
Hey Lisa;
Great but great video, I will definately go through your affiliate link for my next website!
Thank you!
i have to agree with james and pam. I’ve now put in over $100 towards thesis and the support is not bad for quantity but in terms of quality– actually getting to the bottom of the question, not so helpful. i have been struggling now for a week. i’m already invested and am going to keep fighting, but for anyone considering getting this… i might wait til they get someone to help godhammer. (godhammer seems to be only guy who tries to answer all the questions)
After about 8 minutes, I was really ready for this video to be over with so I could go and make my purchase. 🙂 This is my first time on your blog Lisa. Thanks for the review… I’m extremely excited about this theme now!
Sean Davis’s last blog post..What is an RSS Feed?
Nice video Lisa,
you’re a good saleswoman. My big question is where did you find the php code for the sidebar banner? Am I going to get stuck with customization b/c I don’t know php and don’t know how/where to get code already written?
Vermontrealter,
You mean the Yellow Thesis banner? No PHP or even CSS needed. I just pasted the code for the banner into the OpenHook plugin and the banner appears. The OpenHook plugin is free and you can install it with Thesis. So in order to add anything to your sidebar, you just go to OpenHook in the Admin panel and look for section you want to add the banner to (below header, below sidebar, footer, etc.) and just paste the HTML code (code was provided by the company) and the banner is live. Took 2 seconds.
Love the video 🙂 and I think you cover all my “doubts” about the theme, especially the bland/boring part
I think it’s more suitable for people who have time to actually design or at least customize their blog to be what they want it to be
Michael Aulia’s last blog post..Switching to a simpler theme (temporarily?)
I agree. It definitely helps to know CSS if you want to really customize it to your liking. But once you learn how to use the “hook feature”, it’s ALL good! 🙂
thanks for the great information. i will pass on to my students.
all the best
sandy
I have to second James’ complaint about the technical support. For $87 I shouldn’t be pulling my hair out trying to get answers from random strangers on the internet. But now that I bought it I really want it to work. Can anyone tell me what code to put in the Header box in Open Hook if I want to replace the default with my own image? I thought I uploaded an image file to thesis-custom-images, but it won’t show up on the page. I’m leery of messing with the custom code files at this stage of my ( lack of ) knowledge. I did end up reinstalling Thesis and that fixed my previous problem.
thanks
pam’s last blog post..This is really not a food blog
Hi Pam (and others), if you use Firefox (and I sure hope you do) Install the Firebug add-on. When you are trying to figure out what files/sections to edit, this is a great free plugin that allows you to “spy” on the code to see how it was done. I have a video tutorial on it here and it helped me GREATLY with Thesis customization.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3KdNRZS-uSg&feature=channel_page
As far as the header goes, Kristarella has some great advice on customizing the header.
http://www.kristarella.com/2008/11/thesis-full-width-headers/
Hi Ana,
Here’s the link..
http://rickbeckman.org/thesis-openhook/
A great video, Lisa. You have been very helpful. Where can I find the Thesis Open Hook feature to download?
Thesis Open Hook feature
thanks for your reply. It’s still not working. In filezilla, there is a blank square next to the file name, instead of the blue folder icon. Does this mean there is nothing in the file to open? Permissions are set to 666. ” use custom style sheet” is checked. But I still can’t find a code to open and edit! However, there are two Thesis folders called 15b-r4 and 15b-r4-13-57-07…. if that means anything to you? Would you know how I could speak to someone directly about this?
thanks again for your help
Pam
pam’s last blog post..Strawberry Hell
Hi Lisa,
I installed thesis, and the openhook plugin, but I get this message:Unfortunately, your custom.css file does not appear to be editable by the server, so you will not be able to edit it via the OpenHook interface. Sorry for the inconvenience.
I don’t know how to fix this, as I made the relevant files write-able, but still get the message. I think files might be in the wrong place. I have no idea where these files are or how to open them. When I click on a .css file or custom php, ( via FileZilla ) its just a sample, and does not appear to be editable code. I want to 1) move the nav menu below the header and 2) replace the header with my own banner, kind of like the one on Mattbites.com
Can you help me figure this out?
thanks
Pam
pam’s last blog post..The Proof is in the Pudding
Hi Pam,
Hmmm… I don’t think I changed the permissions on the custom.css file when I installed. When you login to the control panel and go to Thesis Options, did you check the box that says “Use custom stylesheet”?
Your custom.css file should be located in ../thesis/custom/custom.css
Hi Lisa! Great video! I’m also using the thesis theme and I’m loving it so far. I have a problem though and I hope you could help me. i really want to add a tiling background on both sides of the blog. I have tried the tutorial on the website but unfortunately it doesn’t work. Instead of it being on the sides only, it’s applied to my whole blog! Hope you could help. I’d really appreciate it.
Aubrey’s last blog post..Slumdog Millionaire
Hi Aubrey,
I used this tutorial http://diythemes.com/thesis/rtfm/custom-backgrounds/ to get my background to show up. It worked like a charm.
Hi Lisa! Thanks for the fats reply. This was also the tutorial I used but unfortunately, it didn’t work for me. I don’t know what I did wrong. I’d really appreciate any help. Thanks
Aubrey’s last blog post..Slumdog Millionaire
Hmmmm… did you modify any other part of your blog’s body or content area that may affect or overwrite the background code?
Hi Lisa! I figured it out! My framework should have been page width instead of full width. Thanks for the advice. I do have another question though, how can I change the font color and the color of the nav menu like you did? Thanks so much!
Aubrey’s last blog post..Slumdog Millionaire
Your tutorial was very helpful. I’m deeply considering using the theme. Thanks loads!
Sheryl Victor’s last blog post..Cable Show Wrap Up
The support is horrible. You pay $87 bucks for support that turns out to be a “forum.” The developer won’t even deal with emails sent to him. It’s ridiculous. Once bitten. I’ll never buy another theme again. THere support sucks. For that much money you’d expect actual standalone support not people giving you iffy information on technical issues. It’s not a theme for newbies either. They should probably put together a manual. Thesis theme is beautiful, but the technical support is awful. I wouldn’t recommend it. There are lots of other themes that will fill the bill.
Lisa – I love that you put this together – your intro hit everything that I’ve been thinking about WordPress, themes, customization, etc. THANK YOU!! (I also downloaded the theme and am just starting to work with it.)
Great presentation, thanks! Good for convincing other people to start using Thesis template. Indeed, the support on the forum is very good.
Hmm Lisa? not sure if it’s just me but your layout is messed up on my screen (windows XP – firefox latest). I have your “Subscribe” area right after this post and your right column is completly out of rang. Just wondering. 🙂
Impressive. Originally I had the same thoughts as you about the theme because of the many other beautiful themes out there. But now I will definitely have to look into it.
My only concern is the optin solutions as, from what I understand from your video, they are not part of the theme. Will I be able to find help on how to do that in the Thesis forum as well?
Great..
Great video. I’m a beginning Thesis user so I’m beginning to grapple with hooks.
Have you thought about doing a video tutorial about your Subscribe image and how you add the clickable links?
I’m sure lots of your readers would find it very useful.
Thanks for the video, Lisa!
You did a better job promoting Thesis than the Thesis dudes!
I’m definitely grabbing it from your affiliate link! 😀
Thank you Haider 🙂
Right there with you on the theme carousel. Right when I have it the way I want it, I go and change it, and in the process, screw up things… mostly on my personal photography blog. http://tmsruge.com/blog. Looks like I am due a Thesis theme experiment in the near future.
Love it!!! Can’t wait to get it.
love it!!! … ngewek yo!
I’m a thesis user also. I also got your link from twiitter.
I’ll be following you.
Great video!
Greg
Great video and comments. Got the link from Twitter. I’m a new convert to WordPress from Drupal and am loving it, but like you am not completely satisfied with the theme I chose.
I”ve never seen a video review of OpenHook before, so THANK YOU VERY MUCH!
Loved the video, too. Much nicer than the ones I’ve done. 😀
Thanks for creating this video! I have been wanting do create a similar video for quite some time, but you just saved me from having to do so 😀
Wow. I think I’ll give Thesis a try for my next site. Your video sold me. Like Rob I’ve been using the Options template (which is great), but would much rather have something that requires less poking and prodding to get what I want.
And if my tweaks stay in place when updating to new versions… well that’s just too cool! Thanks for sharing the info. Oh, do you know if it works with WordPress 2.7?
It sure does. In fact you have to upgrade to 2.7 before using it. I tried it with 2.6 and it didn’t work so I was forced to upgrade. Which is cool ’cause I like 2.7. 😉
do they have a Thesis for Blogger?
I don’t believe so, R.J.
Now THAT is a premium theme! Great options and support, well worth the price. Thanks for showing us behind the scenes. I recently started paying for themes as well, was reluctant to do so at first, but I’m glad I did.
I’ve also changed designs so many times because I’m never 100% happy with how my sites look. It’s actually become a real drain on my time. Best to buy a decent theme, customize it, and move on!
Awww, thanks Rob! 😉 That means a lot considering I was PhotoShop illiterate just a few short years ago. lol
P.S.
Best….Subscribe Graphics….EVER!
🙂 This is GREAT…I was strongly looking at this paid theme in comparison to the the Hybrid one. Even though my site is on “Options” now Hybrid appears to require a bit too much “techie style coding” for my tastes….(not to knock it, it seems to be fantastic but it’s a bit more complicated than what i need right now).
I appreciate the in-depth review and otherwise Golden Advice we’ve come to expect! Thanks Lisa!
I’m sold!!! Another great video by the master, Lisa. 🙂