One of the most popular WordPress theme frameworks is Genesis and in this post I will explain what it is.

So what is the Genesis Framework?

Genesis Framework is a WordPress theme that comes out of the box with all the functionality you need to build a basic WordPress site. The Genesis theme is pretty plain looking on its own (see here for what it looks like http://www.genesisframework.com/). Where its power comes from is that you can turn it into beautiful and powerful child themes either yourself using the framework or by buying existing child themes by other designers and developers.

Using a framework takes a little getting used to. If you’re working with a professional developer, they’ll more than likely want to use frameworks like Genesis to make customising your site much easier.

Framework Basics

While you don’t need a framework, it does make creating and editing themes easier. Most themes are just standard WordPress themes that use WordPress templates, a good example of these are the ones that come with the WordPress out of the box like twentyfifteen. A framework is the basic code of a theme. You or a developer is then able to build upon the code already in the framework to create highly customised child themes. Since the basic code is already in place, there’s less to change and switching from one child theme to another is easier than ever.

Frameworks, including Genesis, give you the ability to build new themes upon the framework without changing the core functionality of the framework. Instead of editing the framework itself, you create child themes. All the features and benefits of Genesis remain untouched no matter how many child themes or customisations you make.

Clean, Lightweight Code

One thing that sets Genesis apart from other frameworks and themes is the clean, lightweight code. A messily coded theme will bog down your site. Even if you optimise everything else, poor coding can ruin your site’s performance. The code within Genesis is well done to provide all the features your site needs without weighing it down in the least. This also makes it far easier to jump in and start customising.

Continuous Support

Due to the popularity and features of the Genesis framework, there’s a massive support community available. StudioPress, the company behind Genesis, is always available to answer questions as well. Another important feature is constant updates. StudioPress works constantly to improve their codebase, helping to make the framework more secure. Simple updates take care of your parent and child themes without pesky compatibility issues. As you probably already know, security should be a top priority with any website, not just WordPress.

Optimised For Search Engines

Not sure which SEO plugin to use or how to best optimise your site for Google? Let Genesis take care of all that for you. Just a few of the SEO features already built-in to the framework are:

• Clean code which search engines love
• Integrated SEO plugin features such as keywords, meta description and search engine title
• Custom redirect URL options
• Schema.org support to easily add microdata to your site

All of this is included without needing to install a single plugin.

HTML5 Responsive Designs

Google has already incorporated responsive or mobile friendly design into its search algorithms. Genesis uses the latest code standard HTML5 to deliver cross platform compatibility. You can rest assured your site has a responsive design that looks great on a desktop or the smallest smartphone. By using the latest coding standard, your WordPress site is compatible even as the future of web design changes.

Conclusion

If you want full control over customisation, the Genesis framework is your answer. It’s a fairly inexpensive framework with powerhouse features. You don’t have to touch a single thing yourself. A professional WordPress developer already knows how to make the most of Genesis to create child themes that provide everything you want in your website.

Ready to start using Genesis with your own WordPress site? Contact StuartMedia today to see how Genesis can help you achieve your site’s goals.

Image: StudioPress