You’re going to see how easy it is to customize a Genesis Theme, but first watch the video below and learn why smart bloggers use StudioPress Genesis themes.
Choose and download your Genesis theme here.
I have been using StudioPress Genesis Themes since 2011. That’s the longest I’ve ever stuck with one theme family, so that is saying a lot!
Why You Should Use Their Themes
- Optimized, clean code for fast-loading pages
- Search engine optimized (coded on the backend so the engines can read and index content easily)
- Friendly and helpful support
- 100% free updates so your site stays compatible with the numerous WordPress updates
Also, many of their themes have a large header widget that is perfect for large AdSense banners or other sponsor ads (see my hair site.)
In the video below I will show you how easy it is to edit their themes. I’ve also included the time markers if you want to skip around.
- Upload a Logo: 2:11
- Upload a Full-Width Header 2:30
- Adding Menu 6:53
- Adding a Profile / User Widget With Pic 8:44
- Add a Stylish Email Opt In Form 10:03
- Update The Post Info Below Title: 15:30
- Change Font Sizes: 17:24
- Change Footer: 21:05
Spend 25 minutes with me and watch as I customize one of the Genesis Themes with incredible ease…
Genesis Themes I’ve Purchased
In early 2014, I decided to go ahead and buy all the Genesis child themes and take advantage of the theme-pack price.
I figured since I keep buying different themes, I might as well get the bundled deal. Now I will get free access to all new themes they release going forward.
Plus, if you are going to be building sites for other people, it’s nice to have access to such a variety of themes.
Great deal!
But here are the ones I’ve actually used thus far.
Focus Pro (This is the theme used in the video above.)
Magazine Pro (What I use on my hair site. Great for image-heavy sites because there is an option to feature large images and the thumbnail homepage option is nice.)
LifeStyle Pro (I used to use this on my hair site but switched to Magazine Pro.)
News Theme (One of their most popular themes.)
Daily Dish (What I use on this site.)
NOTE: I would highly recommend you buy the themes that are marked with HTML5 because they are the ones that have been upgraded to the latest functionality.
The HTML5 tag means the theme is mobile responsive and you can use schema markup to control how your site is displayed in the search results. Even Google recommends using updated code such as this.
I am an affiliate for StudioPress so if you purchase from any of the above links then I will earn a commission.
Hello Lisa, Wish I could treat you to a nice meal or in-person coffee…as you AGAIN have given SO much to me.
In my current project: playbuildskids.com website creation, I am ‘bailing on my previous software website creation too: Thesis Theme 1.8 and adopting the Genesis Framework.
I am creating digital resources for teachers on Teacher Pay Teachers and want to create a website, blog to support my digital publishing efforts.
Your 25 minute video confirmed that my Thesis Theme skills will be sufficient to get me onboard with Genesis Framework. I will purchase it as soon a 2019 Jan. 1 arrives [budget].
Wishing you a wonderful New Year and whole year success!
Very helpful!
Great video Lisa. Thanks for sharing! 🙂
Genesis themes are best for almost any type of niche blog….I love it.
I used Prose theme but now using Magazine Pro on my blog Blogging Nuts.
You presented a great guide to customize it.
Thanks
The Genesis framework is a great works as because it is easy to customize.
Aweeesome!!!
Thanks for this post I’m using child Theme on my website
You are awesome!! Thank you!! 🙂
You’re very welcome Cricket! Enjoy.
i am using currently Sahifa version but this one is too good. On my next project i will defiantly use this
My Favorite theme 🙂
I had no idea how useful the Genesis editing plugins were. I’ve probably read fifty blog posts by WordPress/Genesis “experts” wherein they give convoluted coding solutions that are addressed by these plugins. Wish I saw your video six months ago.
You are awesome!! Thank you!!
Hi – Loved your Udemy course on Affiliate Marketing. Just finished it and was ready to get a WordPress theme so circled back here for an affiliate link. Just finished my purchase. Thanks for all the great tips including the video above!
Wow! Really appreciate you coming back for the affiliate link. Amazing support. Thank you so much, Jen!
I have never heard of that type of theme (genesis themes). I struggled last time I used wordpress and that could have really helped me.
Great Article, help me a lot
Nice tutorial. I’m also using Genesis framework and I learned a lot from the tutorial.
StudioPress Genesis is a great theme for WP site. I was thinking to use it. this tuts would help me for my Site . Thanks a lot for this vontent
Sorry for vontent . its actually Content . typing mistake 😛
Thank you for the post, I am using clock wordpress theme and your suggestions are really very helpful for my cricket blog.
First time to hear about genesis theme for wordpress. Most of the time, I ask friends to provide me a specific kind of theme to used. I think that I’ll try it, this is due to the favor comment that I have read, without forgetting your detailed tuto.
Hi, Lisa —
First, thank you so much for your extremely helpful articles and video tutorials. I’ve been soaking in your information for a while now, and it’s both practical and motivational. You’re clearly smart, dedicated, and generous. I applaud you and wish you even more success in all you do.
I’m just getting started with a couple of websites, and am a TOTAL non-techie person. Your work has made me comfortable and confident in tacking this new project. So again, thank you!
Now I have a specific question for you.
I have the Genesis Prose theme and am wanting to change the font style and size in my posts. I’ve had success modifying a few other parts of the style sheet by following your instructions, but for some reason, I’m having no luck with this. Though I’ve found the element, changed it, and updated it, the new font style and size is not showing up for me. Is there something I could be missing?
I know you’re one busy lady, so I’ll keep trying to figure this out as I continue to write content for my static pages. I’m sure the answer is simple, and I’ll find it soon!
Kim Cox
Hi Lisa,
Thanks for this video, I really appreciate the guide! Am more than WordPress conqueror now!
Presently, I’m even having problems with some new wordpress themes with jquery sliders. The sliders do not load images when I activate the theme. I don’t know what to do about it
Are you using Genesis?
Lisa,
I am using that exact same Genesis Theme
You mentioned at the end of the video that the SEO Plug ins (Genesis SEO and Yost) don’t work well together if you have them both activated. It makes sense.
My question is; I just loaded SEO Pressor on to my website and also have ALL in ONE on there as well. Not to mentioned the Genesis SEO being activated too.
When I spoke with the SEO Pressor team, they informed me that SEO Pressor was configured to work with ALL in ONE with no problems. They also said to keep it on there for the XML Google site map. Should I deactivate the Genesis SEO program? In your opinion, do you think it will cause to much conflict?
I just bought the SEO Pressor, and want to use that because of some of the features the plugin has, along with I paid good money for it. What is your take on SEO Pressor?
You made the comment that you would use the Genesis them and forget Yost (in my case ALL in ONE)….why is that?
Can’t wait for your feedback
JK
Hi John
I don’t think you can deactivate the Genesis SEO settings without deactivating the theme. I personally didn’t find any added value with Yoast or All in One. SEO has changed so much and as long as you have a sitemap and understand the basics I feel those programs are very bloated. Back in the day when on-page played more of a role in SEO I saw more value but not anymore and I try to limit my plugins…especially bloated ones like Yoast.
It looks classic and public once your purchase theme and put it in your site and because of that i purchased eleven40pro theme html 5 responsive and customized for my own needs. It feels amazing to put the features in genesis framework 😀
Nice post, I am using Prose on my blog as well. Does Prose supports HTML5?
They haven’t converted this theme to HTML 5 yet but there is a workaround. All you do is add a few lines of code and there are tutorials out there to do this easily. In the future, all Genesis themes will use HTML5.
I was little bit worried about the styling of genesis theme for my blog now i am little bit more confident about the styling of its child theme. One quick question related to seo, right now i am using yoast seo and quite happy with its results. If i would switch over to genesis then what would happen to opengraph tags right now used by this seo plugin and how would this theme would take care of my seo setting? what i have to do to retain the traffic and all. If you could spare some time for these issues that would be a great help for me. Waiting for your kind response.
Rakesh, if you switch over to Genesis and start using their SEO settings, you can deactivate Yoast and consider using a dedicated Open Graph Plugin for WP but honestly I think if you fill in all the meta data using the in built Genesis SEO you’re Open Graph meta data will reflect this.
There was a Social Media Examiner podcast in which the host Michael Stelzner brought this up and I even asked a few questions about it in their comments section, but I cannot for the life of me find the post right now!
This is a great question and if anyone has anything to add about Genesis SEO and Open Graph meta data please say something 🙂
Thanks to you Lisa, I’m a big fan of the Genesis Themes. I currently own Prose and Lifestyle Pro themes and have been interested in the Magazine Pro but didn’t like the default “black” colour on the title headings, menus and widget areas.
After watching this video I’m going to have a go at changing the “black” to something a little less harsh, similar to the customisation you made to your NC hair site.
I’ve primarily been using the Prose Theme and feel a little spoilt, not needing to do any code customisation because of the Customise Settings feature in Prose. I love the way it’s all laid out!
Thanks for putting together a video outlining some of the intricacies of Genesis Theme customisation. I know it will save me a lot of time.
You’re welcome! Glad I could help. 🙂
Thanks for this post I’m using copyblogger child Theme on this website http://justpizo.com . I’ll check the Prose Theme