Design your way

How is your design practice getting along?

Are you stepping into the new year with big plans, like the rest of us?

Well, I’ll warrant that we’re all in for some pleasant surprises. There is a growing market for resources that offer wholesome packages, and a new generation of WP themes is on the rise.

A Shift in WP website creation

The times when we felt like we had no choice but join up with developers on every single project are not that far behind us. Neither are the days when website responsiveness was a rare attribute. It’s a matter of a couple of years. Can you see just how fast is web design changing?

Another example: type kits and their previously exclusive status. Using gorgeous fonts and typefaces used to be a privilege that only big budgets could afford. And now, nearly every WP theme worth mentioning includes Google Fonts, and type kits are either free or very accessible in terms of cost.

Unbelievable as it may seem, the future of web design lies with WP themes that don’t just encompass all of the newly established norms (clean code, responsiveness, type kits), but go even further with shortcodes, and an extended range of capabilities. I am particularly rooting for new techniques that optimize image loading and responsive re-sizing (i.e. websites with large image and video backgrounds).

Coming On Strong: X Theme

I had to see this for myself – the product that sells fastest on ThemeForest. X Theme makes a very good case for website creation with the help of WP themes. It’s not just any theme, but a truly far-sighted one. Themeco’s prodigy is excellent in terms of design, documentation, and especially support. If you have a suggestion, or a grievance of any sort, their team is all eyes and ears.

But let’s take a closer look at it, shall we? X Theme unlocks 600 Google Fonts with all their respective weights and styles, as well as 40 shortcodes. You won’t have much of a problem creating your unique page layout, thanks to instructive videos that assist you every step of the way. Also, I was quite taken with the many navigation and styling options.

Stacks are the epicenter of X Theme. To this day, four sensational complete designs are available with X: Ethos helps create flourishing visual websites, Integrity is ideal for businesses, Icon is wired for modern minimalism, and Renew offers a refreshingly flat design. Illustrative demos are included with each Stack, so you won’t take long to seize their full potential.

The latest number played by Themeco is to integrate and even create valuable extensions, and there’s more to these extensions than meets the eye.

Useful Extensions from Themeco

There are loads of WordPress plugins out in the open, and I would guess that the ones worth bothering for cost $50 to $200 per piece. Well, when you move forward with X Theme, you won’t ever have to look anything up separately. The expertly tailored extensions are included in the package, and you couldn’t get them from someplace else even if you wanted to. If I were to estimate what’s at stake, I’d say you save $1000.

Buy a single copy of X Theme, then confirm your transaction, and you’re qualified to receive the full force of Themeco’s cleverly extended functionality. Along with the available extensions, you are also scheduled to receive any new extension that may be added, plus every update, ever. Upcoming updates are an automatic affair, so you’ll never have to trouble yourself with them. Finally, note that the extensions I’m about to describe aren’t working in the detriment of your website performance – quite the contrary.

Secure Their Interest

You know as well as I do that whatever piece of information you have to send to your readers, it’s all about the wrapping. The better you present your content and marketing offers, the bigger your conversion rate is going to be. That being said, you can reach out to a savvy extension from X Theme, and swiftly create a Content Dock.

Activate the Content Dock function, and pick a widget. Supposing that you choose a text widget, you can use shortcodes to get your point across. The bottom display limit is 767px, to keep your offer from taking over the screen, and continue to show the closing button.

Tune Up Your Forms

So much depends on the impression that your sign up forms make on casual visitors. The way you craft the entrance to your website can repel guests, or lure them in. So, why not take up X Theme on the invitation to customize some drop dead gorgeous registration forms for your site?

The MailChimp Integration enables you to do just that, and without any hassle. When you’re happy with the results, connect your forms with MailChimp, and choose a widget, template, or shortcode function to settle on a location for them on your website.

Go Social

I don’t want to be a killjoy, but I chanced upon some very interesting websites in terms of content, which failed to show any reactions from visitors or registered users. You can’t display engaging information on a page, be it a product or a blog post, and leave no space for comments.

Nothing of the sort could ever happen with X Theme, so long as you swap the annoying classic comment system with Disqus Comments, everyone’s favorite communication pad.

Spread Your Brand Image

You could always replace the WP logo embedded on your log in screen with a custom image that reflects your own brand identity. Themeco went to great lengths to give users a simple way to personalize their WP environment – starting from the log in screen, and continuing with the Add-on home.

Through White Label, you may create special messages to accompany the projects you deliver. So your clients can receive your contact information, a word of advice regarding future liabilities, or something as simple and effective as a thank you note.

Create Layouts in Minutes

I wouldn’t imagine a proficient solution like X Theme to give you a hard time when you’re working on your layouts. Needless to say, X doesn’t sport an obnoxious admin panel, but throws the Visual Composer and a live preview feature in the game.

The Forecast for 2015

I don’t mean to postulate what may or may not happen this year within our beloved web design industry. I can, however, pass judgment on what I’ve seen so far. And what I know for sure is that X Theme is a genially equipped WP theme. You don’t have to take my words at face value. Go ahead and join the designer community over at Themeco by clicking the button below.