WordPress® All-in-One For Dummies®

Understanding Theme Frameworks

Many theme frameworks are available in the WordPress market. The goal of these frameworks is to allow users to create custom Web sites and themes without requiring them to be expert programmers. Creating custom layouts, designs, and functionality can be difficult, and theme frameworks bridge the gap for beginning users.

At its core, a theme framework is still just a WordPress theme. You install it and activate it just like any other theme. The real power of theme frameworks is usually found through theme options, child themes, and layout customization. One of the most important parts of using theme frameworks is starting with the right one for your project.

When you install a theme framework, you might be surprised to find limited or no styling in the theme. Generally, theme frameworks are meant to be blank canvases that you easily fill with your own color styles. The goal for a framework is to get out of your way when developing. By doing so, it allows you to utilize tools that are provided instead of having to remove a lot of unnecessary elements and styling.

Think of it like a toolbox. All the tools you need are packaged nicely inside. You only take out the tools that you need for a given project.