Frameworks for WordPress are often associated with themes. And while the definitions found on the web of what a theme framework for WordPress is vary wildly, here is a simple accepted definition of the term.
A theme framework may be the difference between a Parent theme and a Child theme but it can be more simple than that. The framework is a set of functions, options, and tools that can carry across to multiple themes and are usually separate from design.
Is a Framework Itself a Theme?
Many frameworks are barebones themes, while many have styling associated with them as well to prevent a user from having to purchase a child theme just to make use of the framework.
The idea is to leave the functions of the framework in tact across all theme installs that use it, and use CSS and/or custom hooks and filters elsewhere in the theme files.
Frameworks are the “Core” Files of a Theme
So, the framework could be looked at as the “core” that should really only be changed by the developer. This could be looked at in a similar way as the core WordPress files. In general, they should not be modified by the user. If a user wants to customize anything about the core of WordPress, he or she develops a plugin.
Well, since many functions of themes, for security, speed, feature set, etc, can carry across to multiple themes, and of course multiple installs, it is best to leave them “untouched.” Then when a fix or feature upgrade is available, the untouched core files can be updated simply, leaving everything else (i.e. the child theme etc.) in tact.
Now, when done right, and all customizations are made outside of the theme framework, a framework update can be done simply, and not affect the site itself.
Theme Frameworks Advantages
While there are many advantages to speak of in regards to theme frameworks for WordPress, here are a couple of the main ones.
For users, they can customize a theme all they want, which usually involves the use of a child theme. And when an upgrade is made, the user won’t have to copy the changes over after the upgrade, because the upgrade will only affect the framework, which is separate.
Now for a developer, they can integrate their framework into all their themes, whether as a Parent theme or included in separate files. Then, when a change is made to the framework for a security fix, or to maintain compatability with WordPress, or to enhance the feature set, the framework can be upgraded easily on all their distribution files because they are separate from the rest. The “rest” referring to the “look and feel” part of the themes.
In Summary
To summarize, theme frameworks help keep “code sets” even more separated and modular like the rest of WordPress, content management and web site design in general.
Separating core functions for themes for WordPress sites is a similar concept to:
1) keeping data in a database
2) keeping styling in CSS files
3) using plugins rather than modifying the core
4) using themes rather than modifying the core
…and a new developing trend: using add-ons or extensions for “base” plugins that can be “bolted on/off” to change the functionality (and sell features separately).
Some Examples of Frameworks
There are different “types” of frameworks depending on how the developer defines it, but the list below lumps them together. This is a list presented from a now dated document by WordPress.
Example include: Carrington Core, Hybrid Core, Options Framework, Redux Framework, Sandbox, WP Framework, Thematic, and K9 Canvas.
The top 5 frameworks however include: Thesis, Themify, Genesis, Headway Themes, and Woo. Here are descriptions of the top 3 below.
1. Genesis Framework by StudioPress
Brian Gardner is the founder of Revolution Themes, and having a deep understanding of how themes work, ultimately founded StudioPress which owns the Genesis framework.
Brian, having developed many themes from scratch knows first hand the power of code re-use, and to such a developer, a framework is certainly a no brainer.
Users of Genesis enjoy it for not being “bloated” with too many built-in options that aren’t used often. In other words it doesn’t try to staisfy all needs, but it satisfies most needs very well. Developers could use what they want but are not forced to use all features in their own creations.
Many top bloggers and influencers in the WordPress community support the use of Genesis, which include: Darren Rowse, Mark Jaquith, and Matt Mullenweg (founder of WordPress) to name a few, so that has to say something about this framework.
The foundation of Genesis allows child themes to be developed that are both highly secure and search engine optimized out of the gate.
The Agency and AgentPress themes built upon the robust Genesis foundation are some of the top used in the respective industries.
There is a one-time fee Pro-Plus package from Genesis that provides the framework, plus all existing (and future) themes by StudioPress for less that $350. The framework by itself is available for less than $60 and can be used on unlimited sites.
2. Thesis 2.0 by DIY Themes
Thesis is currently in version 2.0 which offers significant changes to its previous versions.
It’s a bit different to how Genisis works. Genesis is a core set of files that represent the Parent theme. Child themes are needed to change up the “paint job.”
With Thesis, you can esentially layout the theme how you want after installation. It is a mass set of “theme options” that can be backed up, imported and exported.
After installation you are given options for Head Editor, Skin Editor, Skins, and Boxes.
The head editor lets you take full control of what shows up in the head tags of the HTML. This is helpful for SEO (title tags, meta, canonical URL), and adding information for Google and Bing webmaster verification, and Google+ authorship, and so on.
You can also set a favicon and implement Google Analyitcs for tracking with ease.
Now for the “skins” in Thesis. This is really the same as having child themes and could be looked at as the “paint job.” Just like other WordPress theme options, there are free and paid options for Thesis skins available.
One of what many cosider a “key” feature in Thesis is the Skin editor. This isn’t your standard WordPress theme editor where you are shown the “code” of the theme files. Here you can drag and drop certain elements in place to really customize each of the Thesis-specific skins.
You can get very deep and advanced with the skin editor which includes options for creating custom page templates and adding rich snippets into the pages. The sky is the limit and some argue there is no real need for any other theme, because with Thesis and a handful of skins you can do just about anything.
Thesis is a robust, and very customizable do-it-yourself system that is aimed at the non-programmer. Beginners to advanced users love Thesis because of advanced functionlity of the skin and CSS editors.
There are “boxes” in Thesis which can be likened to WordPress plugins, and as mentioned there is the rich snippets addition. This makes it simple to include all of the right code that search engines like Google want to see for posts that contains reviews, recipes, etc.
Matt Cutts, the head of the Google Webspam Team runs Thesis so that should tell you something about it’s SEO, etc.
The Thesis Professional package for less than $200 gives you Thesis for life (unlimited updates), but there is also a limited package for less than $90.
3. Woo Framework by WooThemes
The Woo Framework is slightly different than Genesis and Thesis. Woo’s framework is built into all its themes and provides a base for functionality and options.
The options aren’t near as diverse as Thesis and it isn’t a separate download like Genesis. It’s part of a Woo theme, whether free or paid.
The options page of the framework gives users a wide range of choices for look, feel, and functionality.
Options include settings for the header, navigation (excluding pages or categories), post excerpt control, SEO function, banner ad usage, footer control, thumbnail config, and more recently adding font stacks, etc.
Updating the Woo Framework is very easy and is done with just a couple of clicks from inside the dashboard. It also provides options for custom shortcodes which is very powerful.
Another interesting feature for those that develop WordPress sites for clients is the ability to brand the WordPress options panel header and icon, as well as the login logo.
Now, the Woo Framework as mentioned comes with each theme, it is not a separate download, and not a Parent theme like Genesis. Therefore, to use it, a theme purchase is required. While you can get themes individually, some being free, the popular choice is to join the Woo Theme club.
Joining the club grants access to all existing themes and future themes. There is an up-front fee as well as a monthly fee associated with the club. To join, and gain access to the current set of 84 WordPress Woo themes, plus future themes, it costs $125 plus $25 per month. Adding another $75 plus $5 per month grants access to the Photoshop files as well for developers to make more custom changes to the “look.”
In Conclusion
I have worked with WordPress for a very long time and have worked with many themes, and a few frameworks. While there is a learning curve to frameworks I think they have value in keeping code “modular” for WordPress, so I would personally recommend their use.
If I had to choose one, Thesis would be my pick.
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