Tell me more ×
WordPress Answers is a question and answer site for WordPress developers and administrators. It's 100% free, no registration required.
up vote -2 down vote favorite
1

I have developed a nice core set of templates with microformatting for Wordpress. I want to give them different stylesheets and home pages and sell them on Themeforest.

Please base your answer assuming I am a competent PHP coder who has read the Codex and my html validates. I want to know what the difference is between a functional theme and a functional premium theme.

share|improve this question
1  
@toscho No, I don't specifically want a list. I want to know the difference. Is the difference best expressed as a list? – Sinthia V Aug 26 '12 at 5:53
2  
The obvious difference is is: you take money for “Premium Themes”. But you know that already … so it looks as if you were asking for a list of features you should add to sell the theme better. I don’t think that fits to our site, but I will leave the decision to the community. – toscho♦ Aug 26 '12 at 6:02
1  
@toscho To me it seems that the only thing here that is "not constructive" is your attitude toward my honest question. Your not-answer "you get paid" seems snarky, dismissive and rude to me, however if that is your best answer, so be it. I do wonder how valuable this site is if you have anything but a "What is a shortcode?" type question. I was hoping for discussion on a higher level about what is the meaning of "premium". Disappointing! – Sinthia V Aug 26 '12 at 6:12
1  
@toscho It would be easier to ignore if you weren't the only response ;-} – Sinthia V Aug 26 '12 at 6:22
3  
@Sinthia V please note that this site is not a forum and its format is not meant for discussions. Simply put we are not here to ponder about things, but more to gather practical actionable knowledge. See the FAQ. – Rarst♦ Aug 26 '12 at 11:28
show 5 more comments

closed as not constructive by anu, Michael, Rarst♦ Aug 26 '12 at 11:23

As it currently stands, this question is not a good fit for our Q&A format. We expect answers to be supported by facts, references, or specific expertise, but this question will likely solicit debate, arguments, polling, or extended discussion. If you feel that this question can be improved and possibly reopened, see the FAQ for guidance.

1 Answer

up vote 0 down vote

I think this is quite an important question and the answer is always subjective. Though I think most people here would prefer Premium to be defined as 'kitted out' or just 'feature-packed' theme.

This comes down to your business model or business idea. Which is ... do you want to make a living from WordPress.

  1. would you prefer a free theme that has 1000's of installs
  2. would you prefer to sell a premium theme in very very (some times none) reduced quantities via a 3rd party theme site
  3. would you prefer to use this as experience for your CV ie getting a new job as a web-developer / web-designer
  4. are you paying to use someone else's framework for a theme? (cause this might make your theme's features a lot like others)

Some theme developers will focus on making free themes that are successful and they will give away all the features. Because free business is good business.

I don't think you should aim to just sell a premium theme on themeforest - that's not a viable option if you're just getting started in making a theme.

share|improve this answer
1  
Like I said above, I think it is important too. I gave you back your point. I wish they had been more helpful and less judgemental! – Sinthia V Aug 26 '12 at 17:40
1  
@SinthiaV to be fair ... it is a subjective question about your aims ... and so it has less to do with the technical q&a style of WPSE. Please do keep answering & asking questions :) – Damien Aug 26 '12 at 19:30

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.