A Framework can have sever limitations.
The best kind of theme design is one that provides a “Scalable” and Flexible framework.
Scalability in Theme Design
Pages and Sub-pages in the navigation. A theme should provide a way to have all your pages/posts in the navigation. Content that can’t be found is almost the same as no content at all. (Borrowing a phrase from “The Land of Point”)
The same is true for Categories and child categories. If the theme doesn’t provide this in it’s base design, you have two options:
- Find another theme
- Find a way to add functionality to the existing theme
Your Site Should Fit Your Business
To many businesses end up fitting their business to the site. They have to live with-in the framework. Make their content “Fit” the sidebar or the content area. It doesn’t have to be that way. The theme needs to be flexible in design. Want a page without a sidebar, or a page with 2 sidebars, a custom page template can be called for those situations. Want some content to only show on a single page . . . A theme should be flexible enough to fit your business, not the other way around.
Looks Good Tastes Great
Remember that old bear commercial based on those 4 words? Well, the same is true about a theme. It should look good, (most do) but it shouldn’t leave a bad taste in your mouth.
- It should be easy to navigate.
- It should provide a way for your customers to ask questions and get answers.
- It should be designed to fit in with your business and branding.
Scalability, Looks Good, Tastes Great that’s a framework on which you can put your content, and build your business.