Comments on: Listener Poll: What’s the most important selling point for you when it comes to purchasing a theme? http://www.wptavern.com/listener-poll-whats-the-most-important-selling-point-for-you-when-it-comes-to-purchasing-a-theme Where Every Drink Is On The House Wed, 08 Feb 2012 10:56:16 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Aaron D. Campbell http://www.wptavern.com/listener-poll-whats-the-most-important-selling-point-for-you-when-it-comes-to-purchasing-a-theme#comment-2619 Aaron D. Campbell Wed, 29 Jul 2009 15:19:26 +0000 http://www.wptavern.com/?p=1990#comment-2619 First, while you can't see the PHP, you can see all the (X)HTML and CSS which can give you a pretty good idea for how well coded the theme is. Additionally, some places let you download and use the theme, only paying for support (such as <a href="http://themehybrid.com/themes" rel="nofollow">Theme Hybrid</a>). Lastly, you can tell based on reputation or other projects. For example, I know that <a href="http://www.studiopress.com/themes" rel="nofollow">Studio Press</a> has quality code in their themes because programmers that I know have said so. Additionally, I know that Joost has been inside their themes to work on the code and I know he produces solid code (because I've seen it elsewhere such as his plugins). First, while you can’t see the PHP, you can see all the (X)HTML and CSS which can give you a pretty good idea for how well coded the theme is. Additionally, some places let you download and use the theme, only paying for support (such as Theme Hybrid). Lastly, you can tell based on reputation or other projects. For example, I know that Studio Press has quality code in their themes because programmers that I know have said so. Additionally, I know that Joost has been inside their themes to work on the code and I know he produces solid code (because I’ve seen it elsewhere such as his plugins).

]]> By: Jeffro http://www.wptavern.com/listener-poll-whats-the-most-important-selling-point-for-you-when-it-comes-to-purchasing-a-theme#comment-2615 Jeffro Wed, 29 Jul 2009 04:55:32 +0000 http://www.wptavern.com/?p=1990#comment-2615 @<a href="#comment-2528" rel="reply" rel="nofollow">JD Hartley</a> - Yeah. On the initial offering, the design is the first thing I take notice of. Everything else comes after the fact. @<a href="#comment-2529" rel="reply" rel="nofollow">Ryan</a> - I suppose I could have added that as an option worth voting for, but I thought that the majority of people who were buying themes were non developer types. So I didn't include it in the poll. Also, other than viewing the source on the demo, how would you know the quality of the code before purchasing it? @<a href="#comment-2531" rel="reply" rel="nofollow">Leland</a> - My thoughts exactly regarding the license. @<a href="#comment-2562" rel="reply" rel="nofollow">Aaron D. Campbell</a> - Again, how would you know the quality of the code without having access to the PHP files until after you purchased the theme? @JD Hartley – Yeah. On the initial offering, the design is the first thing I take notice of. Everything else comes after the fact.

@Ryan – I suppose I could have added that as an option worth voting for, but I thought that the majority of people who were buying themes were non developer types. So I didn’t include it in the poll. Also, other than viewing the source on the demo, how would you know the quality of the code before purchasing it?

@Leland – My thoughts exactly regarding the license.

@Aaron D. Campbell – Again, how would you know the quality of the code without having access to the PHP files until after you purchased the theme?

]]> By: Aaron D. Campbell http://www.wptavern.com/listener-poll-whats-the-most-important-selling-point-for-you-when-it-comes-to-purchasing-a-theme#comment-2562 Aaron D. Campbell Mon, 27 Jul 2009 03:00:39 +0000 http://www.wptavern.com/?p=1990#comment-2562 Code Quality -> Support (and how reliable the company is, part of which is History/Longevity) -> Design -> Price -> License (all are at least GPL, which is good enough for me) Code Quality -> Support (and how reliable the company is, part of which is History/Longevity) -> Design -> Price -> License (all are at least GPL, which is good enough for me)

]]> By: burn http://www.wptavern.com/listener-poll-whats-the-most-important-selling-point-for-you-when-it-comes-to-purchasing-a-theme#comment-2536 burn Sat, 25 Jul 2009 16:40:06 +0000 http://www.wptavern.com/?p=1990#comment-2536 i consider also for a support. However, design will also matter. i consider also for a support. However, design will also matter.

]]> By: Gas Analyzer http://www.wptavern.com/listener-poll-whats-the-most-important-selling-point-for-you-when-it-comes-to-purchasing-a-theme#comment-2532 Gas Analyzer Sat, 25 Jul 2009 00:25:55 +0000 http://www.wptavern.com/?p=1990#comment-2532 Design, or fitness for purpose, is clearly the most important characteristic. If the design does not meet requirements then nothing else matters. Design, or fitness for purpose, is clearly the most important characteristic. If the design does not meet requirements then nothing else matters.

]]> By: Leland http://www.wptavern.com/listener-poll-whats-the-most-important-selling-point-for-you-when-it-comes-to-purchasing-a-theme#comment-2531 Leland Fri, 24 Jul 2009 23:39:35 +0000 http://www.wptavern.com/?p=1990#comment-2531 Design for me. I believe this is the most important factor when initially selecting and purchasing a theme. I doubt most theme buyers are going to actually look at the code quality (unless they're technically savvy). They'll just buy it, and if there's a problem, ask for support later. I generally don't need support when it comes to WordPress themes, but I can imagine that would be another major factor for people just starting out. Price isn't a huge factor for me as long as it's reasonable. Obviously I wouldn't want to be spending a ridiculous amount of money for a theme lots of people are going to have anyway. Personally I don't really care about the license either. Sure GPL themes are the least restrictive, but if there's a really good design that I want to use, I'll live with it. Business reputation is an interesting choice. I can certainly see myself being more likely to buy a theme from one of the big names rather than a site I've never heard of before. Design for me. I believe this is the most important factor when initially selecting and purchasing a theme. I doubt most theme buyers are going to actually look at the code quality (unless they’re technically savvy). They’ll just buy it, and if there’s a problem, ask for support later.

I generally don’t need support when it comes to WordPress themes, but I can imagine that would be another major factor for people just starting out.

Price isn’t a huge factor for me as long as it’s reasonable. Obviously I wouldn’t want to be spending a ridiculous amount of money for a theme lots of people are going to have anyway.

Personally I don’t really care about the license either. Sure GPL themes are the least restrictive, but if there’s a really good design that I want to use, I’ll live with it.

Business reputation is an interesting choice. I can certainly see myself being more likely to buy a theme from one of the big names rather than a site I’ve never heard of before.

]]> By: Banago http://www.wptavern.com/listener-poll-whats-the-most-important-selling-point-for-you-when-it-comes-to-purchasing-a-theme#comment-2530 Banago Fri, 24 Jul 2009 22:27:51 +0000 http://www.wptavern.com/?p=1990#comment-2530 @<a href="#comment-2529" rel="nofollow">Ryan</a> -Code quality would be a needed option too in my opinion. @Ryan -Code quality would be a needed option too in my opinion.

]]> By: Ryan http://www.wptavern.com/listener-poll-whats-the-most-important-selling-point-for-you-when-it-comes-to-purchasing-a-theme#comment-2529 Ryan Fri, 24 Jul 2009 22:00:32 +0000 http://www.wptavern.com/?p=1990#comment-2529 I'd have added code quality to your list too. There are plenty of well designed themes, with good support, the license I want and are cheap. There is no point using them if they don't work in IE6, don't enqueue their scripts correctly or take too long to load. I voted for design. I’d have added code quality to your list too. There are plenty of well designed themes, with good support, the license I want and are cheap. There is no point using them if they don’t work in IE6, don’t enqueue their scripts correctly or take too long to load.

I voted for design.

]]> By: JD Hartley http://www.wptavern.com/listener-poll-whats-the-most-important-selling-point-for-you-when-it-comes-to-purchasing-a-theme#comment-2528 JD Hartley Fri, 24 Jul 2009 20:25:38 +0000 http://www.wptavern.com/?p=1990#comment-2528 Personally, Design is the most important factor, but price is right up there too. If I was looking at two themes which were pretty close design wise, I would go with the cheaper even if I needed to make my own modifications to make it better suite my site. I am interested to see how History/Longevity Of The Business and License play into the purchasing factor as well... Personally, Design is the most important factor, but price is right up there too. If I was looking at two themes which were pretty close design wise, I would go with the cheaper even if I needed to make my own modifications to make it better suite my site.

I am interested to see how History/Longevity Of The Business and License play into the purchasing factor as well…

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