CODEWITHSUNDEEP
wordpresse-commerce
Michelle E
Michelle E

Reputation: 3

What are the limitations to customizing a free Wordpress theme?

I have been asked to create an eCommerce website for a client on a strict budget. I figured using WordPress would be my best bet in this case. I am new to both WordPress and developing an eCommerce/online store. I intended on designing and developing my own bespoke theme for the client, however their limited budget does not accommodate the fee I quoted for designing and developing a bespoke theme. Therefore, I thought that a free theme would be the most suitable option in working within the constraints of the budget.

My questions regarding using the free theme are:

  1. What are the limitations to using a free pre-made theme in terms of its styling, look and layout (structure)? For example, could I easily move the logo or other elements and graphics to elsewhere on the same page if I wanted or I am stuck with having those items wherever they are originally placed? In other words, what flexibility do I get in changing the design?
  2. How 'unique' could I expect it to look with some customization?
  3. What are the limitations on features and functionality?
  4. Would I get more design flexibility with a premium theme instead?

Upvotes: 0

Views: 748

Answers (1)

Simon Woolf
Simon Woolf

Reputation: 603

There are pretty much no limitations.

You can make a child theme out of the free theme, then you can customise the css and php files which make up that theme, as much as you like. That will allow you to do everything you mention in point 1. See http://codex.wordpress.org/Child_Themes for details.

Wordpress provides a simple web interface that allows you to view and edit the files, or you can just edit them using your favourite code editor.

The idea with a child theme is that any file which you customize overrides the file in the original theme. This means if there are updates to that theme in the future, you can safely download them without wiping out the customisations you've made.

I would recommend you start with something like the twitter bootstrap theme for wordpress, which gives you a neutral design and quite a lot of useful javascript functions. That will help you with point 2 - ensuring uniqueness, as you don't start with something that already has a distinctive look and feel.

re: point 3 - that's the great thing with wordpress. Just add plugins and widgets (or even develop your own). There really are no limits.

To answer point 4: Premium themes typically provide more sophistication in terms of design features and add-ins like scrollers, slideshows and shortcodes. Sometimes they also provide customised interfaces that allow limited customisation such as colour schemes and page layout, but essentially the wordpress interface for customisation is the same, whether you've paid for the theme or not.

Upvotes: 1

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