If you're tired of WordPress themes or other website templates that simply don't give you the flexibility you want, then pay attention - there's a whole new concept to WordPress in the form of the Builder Theme by iThemes. I remember hearing about the Builder concept before it launched in late 2009. I pre-ordered and when I got my hands on it, I couldn't be more delighted with it.
You don't need to know how to code a single line of code to build an entire WordPress website from scratch. In fact, if you're averse to coding, but want to build a WordPress website from the ground up, then the Builder Theme is for you. I'm talking about style, layout, navigation, customized headers ... you name it.
I'd be remiss if I didn't mention the bad. The Builder theme child themes are not the most stylish. If you want a website that looks fantastic as-is, then Builder isn't for you. However, what makes Builder so great is you can so easily build a website entirely from scratch without knowing a single line of code.
Now that the bad is out of the way, I'll discuss the good aspects of Builder theme (of which there are many).
Have you heard about parent and child theme WordPress set up? Builder uses a parent / child theme framework. This is the optimal WordPress arrangement. It makes upgrading your theme a breeze. The child theme is essentially your CSS style sheet - which is separate from the actual parent theme. At first I was a little reluctant about using the parent and child theme set up, but since I've adapted, it's my preferred type of theme framework.
How Builder Theme Works
You create layouts - as many layouts as you like simply by clicking a mouse. The layouts are blocks that use widgets in which you place content. Then when you develop a post or page, you choose your custom layout.
Do you want a different header in different parts of the website? No problem - just choose a different header in your layout. How about different slideshows on different pages? Again, no problem. Just create a new layout, and then place your preferred slideshow plugin in any widget you like?
HTML option for any page or post
iThemes also responded to the need of placing html in pages and posts. For instance, suppose you have a great HTML template - a squeeze page or landing page - you easily insert the HTML in the HTML module on any given layout and your page is totally customized. You can create as many HTML based pages as you like.
What About SEO?
Builder Theme comes with a built-in SEO panel. Actually, it's an iTheme plugin you install. Then you have a complete SEO configuration panel. Each page and post has SEO options as well - including NoFollow and NoIndex options.
Designing Builder without going into the CSS style sheet.
I'm not a CSS expert, but I know my way around a style sheet. Yet, when available, I like styling a website with a drop down menus. iThemes has this covered as well and has dozens of drop down menus to style your theme. Want red H1 tags? No problem. How about orange hyperlinks? Yup, no problem. iThemes provides a free style plugin you install which gives you a full style panel. No more digging around in a CSS style sheet. Instead, you just click away until you get the look and feel you want. It really couldn't be easier to create a great website in WordPress - something entirely your own.
You don't need to know how to code a single line of code to build an entire WordPress website from scratch. In fact, if you're averse to coding, but want to build a WordPress website from the ground up, then the Builder Theme is for you. I'm talking about style, layout, navigation, customized headers ... you name it.
I'd be remiss if I didn't mention the bad. The Builder theme child themes are not the most stylish. If you want a website that looks fantastic as-is, then Builder isn't for you. However, what makes Builder so great is you can so easily build a website entirely from scratch without knowing a single line of code.
Now that the bad is out of the way, I'll discuss the good aspects of Builder theme (of which there are many).
Have you heard about parent and child theme WordPress set up? Builder uses a parent / child theme framework. This is the optimal WordPress arrangement. It makes upgrading your theme a breeze. The child theme is essentially your CSS style sheet - which is separate from the actual parent theme. At first I was a little reluctant about using the parent and child theme set up, but since I've adapted, it's my preferred type of theme framework.
How Builder Theme Works
You create layouts - as many layouts as you like simply by clicking a mouse. The layouts are blocks that use widgets in which you place content. Then when you develop a post or page, you choose your custom layout.
Do you want a different header in different parts of the website? No problem - just choose a different header in your layout. How about different slideshows on different pages? Again, no problem. Just create a new layout, and then place your preferred slideshow plugin in any widget you like?
HTML option for any page or post
iThemes also responded to the need of placing html in pages and posts. For instance, suppose you have a great HTML template - a squeeze page or landing page - you easily insert the HTML in the HTML module on any given layout and your page is totally customized. You can create as many HTML based pages as you like.
What About SEO?
Builder Theme comes with a built-in SEO panel. Actually, it's an iTheme plugin you install. Then you have a complete SEO configuration panel. Each page and post has SEO options as well - including NoFollow and NoIndex options.
Designing Builder without going into the CSS style sheet.
I'm not a CSS expert, but I know my way around a style sheet. Yet, when available, I like styling a website with a drop down menus. iThemes has this covered as well and has dozens of drop down menus to style your theme. Want red H1 tags? No problem. How about orange hyperlinks? Yup, no problem. iThemes provides a free style plugin you install which gives you a full style panel. No more digging around in a CSS style sheet. Instead, you just click away until you get the look and feel you want. It really couldn't be easier to create a great website in WordPress - something entirely your own.
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Next, check out many screenshots of the Builder theme panels (scroll down the target page). If you prefer great looking themes and aren't interested in designing a theme, read the many great WordPress theme reviews at B2Web.
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