Several months back I had an idea for a website I wanted to create. It was really a combination web site+web application. I wrote down all the features and workflows the site would support, then started to think about how I would create it.
The Problem
The problem, I realized, was that it would take me a huge number of hours to create all the functionality I wanted if I were to write it from scratch!
Website development is more than just making the software work. To be worth anything at all it needs to:
- Function correctly
- Contain a minimum of bugs
- Have good workflows
- Be reasonably secure yet easy to use
- Look good. (last but not least)
Given enough time, the first four items on the list were doable. However, the last item left me in a pinch. I have to be honest, I can’t design my way out of a paper sack!
I could’a had a V-8
This is when I had my “Whack.. I could’a had a V-8″ moment. There must be plug-ins or themes for wordpress that would get the project rolling a lot faster than I could possibly do if I were to write the code from scratch. A Google search turned up several options, some free and some “premium” themes.
I didn’t take long to realize that the ClassiPress theme from AppThemes met nearly all of the requirements I’d laid out. It was a “premium” theme, meaning it cost money, $159 to be exact. But justifying the purchase was easy considering the time it would take to write my own code with the same functionality.
I bought the theme and had the web site up really fast, and it looks good and operates well. If had chosen to build it from scratch I would still be writing code! And, it wouldn’t look nearly as good.
Since then, I’ve become a really big fan of AppThemes. They have a customer forum for support and community interaction that does a great job of connecting you with other users and help you get the most out of your investment in AppThemes software. In fact, by asking questions and participating in forum discussion you can get a ton of ideas for how to make your site even better.
AppThemes offers multiple wordpress themes in different web application niches, including:
- JobRoller – a feature rich job board application theme.
- Clipper – an easy to use coupon/affiliate website theme.
- ClassiPress – their original and most refined theme, for crafting classified ad listing sites.
A couple other themes are in the works at the time of this writing, and I’m eagerly awaiting their release. I already have ideas for websites to take advantage of the “Vantage” and “Sage” themes for business directory and “how-to” site applications.
Not just some guy selling a theme
I really like the AppThemes company as well. They provide quality products and foster an engaged community that supports the products and offers rich resource for web entrepreneurs. Additionally, the core team at AppThemes is closely involved in the overall WordPress community and is helping to promote the growth of WordPress as rich and extremely flexible web application platform.
I have no hesitation in being affiliated with AppThemes and recommending their products.
Click the banner image below to go to their site and check out the WordPress themes they offer.
P.S. AppThemes sells software, not magic beans! You still need to put forth the effort to set up your web site, configure the software to your liking, and present your site to your target market. WordPress & AppThemes makes doing this a lot easier.
P.P.S. Contact me directly if you have questions about my experience with AppThemes software or if can help in any other way.