WordPress is a platform that 24% of the bloggers and online shops use and that number is growing. One of the reasons it is growing is the number of themes WordPress has at its disposal is legion. I don’t know exactly how many there are, but there’s a theme for every website.

Of course, if you run a business, you have different needs than a website that is informational only. WordPress has numerous themes for this as well. Let’s explore, shall we?

What is Ecommerce?

Have you ever purchased something over the Internet? Congratulations! You have participated in an Ecommerce transaction.

Ecommerce is defined as the purchase and sale of goods and services over electronic channels, i.e., the Internet. You don’t have to walk into a store, so no standing in line.

If yours is an Ecommerce site, you can spend of fortune on a developer to set up your website and all the technical stuff that goes on behind the scenes to make selling and getting paid work. Or you can use special platforms, which have already been developed and are intuitive to learn and do it yourself. This article is going to highlight one platform and several themes you can use.

What is WooCommerce?

WooCommerce is an Ecommerce platform designed in 2011 specifically for WordPress, and there are three primary reasons this platform is one of the most popular:

• It is easy to use, not just for you, but for your customer, as well.
• Very easy to develop your website with standard features.
• Lots of support, including chat and video tutorials

The front end of the platform is very intuitive for your customers and has the beauty of a one-page checkout. Back end performance or developing and supporting the website, was created by business people, not developers only. This makes it very easy to figure out for the online shop owner.

Themes

Flatsome | Responsive WooCommerce Theme

Download     Demo

• Flatsome is the #1 woo commerce theme used on WordPress and it can be found at ThemeForest.net. It comes with most of the features you will need right “out-of-the-box.” It is customer designable, with many options available as needed for the Webmaster. Other features include:
  • Useful tools, instead of just lots of tools.
  • Multiple layouts
  • Drag and Drop page builder
  • Catalog mode
  • Is responsive
  • Comes with many avenues of support

Zeon – eCommerce HTML Theme

Download      Demo

• Zeon can be found at TeslaThemes.com, which is known for simple to use and great looking themes. This one is no different. It has a demo that I recommend checking out to see if this one is right for you and your site. If it turns out that Zeon is, there is a lot of support available, including 1 hour of customizations on the development side. The highlights of Zeon are:
  • Allows a dedicated blog
  • Includes the Slider Revolution plugin, for slide presentations
  • Tesla Framework is controlling everything in the background, working on new options and functionalities
  • Modern, flat, and responsive design

Neighborhood – Responsive Multi-Purpose Shop Theme

Download     Demo

• Neighborhood can also be found at ThemeForest.net. It is a clean looking, almost utilitarian looking site, but don’t let that fool you. It has a Demo, and once you see it, you may feel this theme is the right one for you. Both the face and layout of the site are really pretty and the Swift Page Builder brings proper functionality and customization behind-the-scenes. Neighborhood includes:
  • Premium plugins
  • Catalog mode
  • Wishlist mode
  • Zoom functionality
  • Theme is responsive
  • Multiple color schemes and typography options

The Retailer – Responsive WordPress Theme

Download     Demo 

• Also found at ThemeForest.net, The Retailer is an amazing Ecommerce platform. Advanced customization options, such as the Visual Composer page builder, allow the Webmaster many options in setting up a site that your customers will love. If you hate looking for what you want, chances are your customers do to. The Retailer is a clean layout that allows your products to be easily found. Also included are:
  • Functionality for products allowing variations in colors, sizes, etc.
  • Customer review function with a star-rating system and comment section
  • Affiliate ready, so you can sell products other than your own
  • Multilingual availability
  • Comes integrated with PayPal and allows checks, other credit cards and pay options.

Kallyas

Download     Demo

• Kallyas can be found at kallyas.net and is truly a multiple feature theme. The theme is award winning and everything you could want can be found in this theme. Customizable with unlimited colors, sliders and unique page layouts, Kallyas is a theme for the true professional. It has so many features, I can’t list them all, but here are some:
  • Demos and tutorials
  • Integrated with MailChimp and Google Translate
  • Drag and Drop tools
  • Responsive
  • Premium tools

What to Look For in an Ecommerce Site

There are many things you need to take into consideration when choosing an Ecommerce website, even on WordPress. Not every business is the same and neither is every theme. You want your site to look good and showcase your products in a way that is attractive to the consumer. That is important but, believe it or not, it is not the most important feature. Look for these 3 things and your customer will be happy.

• Functionality – Your site needs to function properly, which means pages have to load and products need to get to the cart quickly. Your pay options must work seamlessly. If any of these things don’t work, your customer will go somewhere else.

• Responsiveness – Your website needs to work across different platforms, such as a desk top, tablet or phone. Make sure that the theme you choose supports all of these.

• Intuitiveness – Your site needs to be easy for your customer to use. One-page checkouts, and easy payment options will make all the difference in your customer’s mind and will make them want to keep coming back.

Good Luck!

The post Top 5 WooCommerce Themes for WordPress appeared first on .

WordPress is a platform that 24% of the bloggers and online shops use and that number is growing. One of the reasons it is growing is the number of themes WordPress has at its disposal is legion. I don’t know exactly how many there are, but there’s a theme for every website.

Of course, if you run a business, you have different needs than a website that is informational only. WordPress has numerous themes for this as well. Let’s explore, shall we?

What is Ecommerce?

Have you ever purchased something over the Internet? Congratulations! You have participated in an Ecommerce transaction.

Ecommerce is defined as the purchase and sale of goods and services over electronic channels, i.e., the Internet. You don’t have to walk into a store, so no standing in line.

If yours is an Ecommerce site, you can spend of fortune on a developer to set up your website and all the technical stuff that goes on behind the scenes to make selling and getting paid work. Or you can use special platforms, which have already been developed and are intuitive to learn and do it yourself. This article is going to highlight one platform and several themes you can use.

What is WooCommerce?

WooCommerce is an Ecommerce platform designed in 2011 specifically for WordPress, and there are three primary reasons this platform is one of the most popular:

• It is easy to use, not just for you, but for your customer, as well.
• Very easy to develop your website with standard features.
• Lots of support, including chat and video tutorials

The front end of the platform is very intuitive for your customers and has the beauty of a one-page checkout. Back end performance or developing and supporting the website, was created by business people, not developers only. This makes it very easy to figure out for the online shop owner.

Themes

Flatsome | Responsive WooCommerce Theme

Download     Demo

• Flatsome is the #1 woo commerce theme used on WordPress and it can be found at ThemeForest.net. It comes with most of the features you will need right “out-of-the-box.” It is customer designable, with many options available as needed for the Webmaster. Other features include:
  • Useful tools, instead of just lots of tools.
  • Multiple layouts
  • Drag and Drop page builder
  • Catalog mode
  • Is responsive
  • Comes with many avenues of support

Zeon – eCommerce HTML Theme

Download      Demo

• Zeon can be found at TeslaThemes.com, which is known for simple to use and great looking themes. This one is no different. It has a demo that I recommend checking out to see if this one is right for you and your site. If it turns out that Zeon is, there is a lot of support available, including 1 hour of customizations on the development side. The highlights of Zeon are:
  • Allows a dedicated blog
  • Includes the Slider Revolution plugin, for slide presentations
  • Tesla Framework is controlling everything in the background, working on new options and functionalities
  • Modern, flat, and responsive design

Neighborhood – Responsive Multi-Purpose Shop Theme

Download     Demo

• Neighborhood can also be found at ThemeForest.net. It is a clean looking, almost utilitarian looking site, but don’t let that fool you. It has a Demo, and once you see it, you may feel this theme is the right one for you. Both the face and layout of the site are really pretty and the Swift Page Builder brings proper functionality and customization behind-the-scenes. Neighborhood includes:
  • Premium plugins
  • Catalog mode
  • Wishlist mode
  • Zoom functionality
  • Theme is responsive
  • Multiple color schemes and typography options

The Retailer – Responsive WordPress Theme

Download     Demo 

• Also found at ThemeForest.net, The Retailer is an amazing Ecommerce platform. Advanced customization options, such as the Visual Composer page builder, allow the Webmaster many options in setting up a site that your customers will love. If you hate looking for what you want, chances are your customers do to. The Retailer is a clean layout that allows your products to be easily found. Also included are:
  • Functionality for products allowing variations in colors, sizes, etc.
  • Customer review function with a star-rating system and comment section
  • Affiliate ready, so you can sell products other than your own
  • Multilingual availability
  • Comes integrated with PayPal and allows checks, other credit cards and pay options.

Kallyas

Download     Demo

• Kallyas can be found at kallyas.net and is truly a multiple feature theme. The theme is award winning and everything you could want can be found in this theme. Customizable with unlimited colors, sliders and unique page layouts, Kallyas is a theme for the true professional. It has so many features, I can’t list them all, but here are some:
  • Demos and tutorials
  • Integrated with MailChimp and Google Translate
  • Drag and Drop tools
  • Responsive
  • Premium tools

What to Look For in an Ecommerce Site

There are many things you need to take into consideration when choosing an Ecommerce website, even on WordPress. Not every business is the same and neither is every theme. You want your site to look good and showcase your products in a way that is attractive to the consumer. That is important but, believe it or not, it is not the most important feature. Look for these 3 things and your customer will be happy.

• Functionality – Your site needs to function properly, which means pages have to load and products need to get to the cart quickly. Your pay options must work seamlessly. If any of these things don’t work, your customer will go somewhere else.

• Responsiveness – Your website needs to work across different platforms, such as a desk top, tablet or phone. Make sure that the theme you choose supports all of these.

• Intuitiveness – Your site needs to be easy for your customer to use. One-page checkouts, and easy payment options will make all the difference in your customer’s mind and will make them want to keep coming back.

Good Luck!

The post Top 5 WooCommerce Themes for WordPress appeared first on .

In these modern times, a lot of people communicate through social networks. When setting up a site that will have an online community, it is important to keep in mind that you need to have a social network platform that can allow people to share their views online. Building a complex and rich feature social networking platform can be a tricky affair. However, thanks to WordPress, you can now effortlessly build a social network without having to acquire any technical knowledge to do so.

To have a nice and functioning social networking theme, it should have full integration with the BuddyPress plugin. There are numerous themes out there that you can choose for your project. However, we have handpicked the best social networking themes that you can use for your project. These themes come packed with numerous features that will make your social network not only pleasant to use but elegant as well.

Boss 2.0

Download     Demo

Boss is no doubt one of the best themes for social networks you can get on the market. This awesome theme is powered by BuddyPress and integrates well with WordPress. There are numerous layouts that you can pick from as well as stunning design elements that will impress your visitors.

Boss is retina ready, highly responsive and comes with a flexible layout area which makes this theme compatible with different types of devices. If you’re looking for a theme to customize, this theme allows extensive customization which can be done without having to do any coding.

Boss also allows multiple social network options which can also be customized to suit personal preferences. This theme consists of a great layout and right tools which makes it possible to achieve endless design possibilities. This theme has a powerful and easy to use Admin panel which facilitates easier and faster inclusions of colors, image sliders, logos and custom fonts. Boss has numerous add-ons which can boost the functionality of your social network allowing quick clicks.

In addition, this theme has an option for paid membership which is implemented via a Paid Membership Pro plugin. If you want to include membership features on your site such as multiple member levels, Boss offers full support. Some of the best payment platforms such as PayPal, 2Checkout and Stripe are supported by this theme.

BuddyApp – Mobile First Community WordPress theme

Download    Demo

BuddyApp is an awesome and fantastic theme with exceptional and modern features. In terms of design, BuddyApp shares many similarities with Boss 2.0. In addition, these two themes share a lot in terms of usability as well as UX. This theme can be used to build an impressive social networking site and can also work well on both private as well as public intranets. 

BuddyApp boasts of an elegant and creative integration with BuddyPress. The development team has simplified technicalities by tailoring the theme’s UX to the most common add-ons. Real-time usability features live notifications and AJAX searching make the site more attractive to end users. In addition, Facebook login helps to encourage more sign-ups as well as promote visitor engagement.

If you’re looking for a versatile theme, BuddyApp is a great theme which has a Drag and Drop Page builder to facilitate quick design changes without having to code. Back-end panel allows site owners to enjoy numerous customization options. This theme is retina-ready, well documented and has WPML support.

Socialize: Multi-Purpose BuddyPress Theme

Download    Demo

Just as the name suggests, Socialize is an exciting social networking theme whose impressive design and charm is loved by everyone. This visually-engaging theme takes social networking to a whole new level because it has been designed to cater for vast user needs. Apparently, this theme has been designed to work on public, web based social network as opposed to corporate and private intranets.

Socialize has a blog/magazine style design which makes this theme an ideal choice for designing Facebook-style communities where users can share and promote their favorite media content. Functionality is made easier thanks to features such as WooCommerce and bbPress support. This theme supports numerous backend options and Visual Composer which makes it possible for site admins to easily and quickly customize fonts, colors, layouts as well as other elements. Socialize is SEO optimized so you can be guaranteed good search engine rankings. This theme is also WPML/translation ready.

OneSocial

Download     Demo

The developers of Boss are the same people who designed OneSocial which is also an incredible and exciting theme. This theme can allow one to set up a personal online profile, publicly share information and create secret groups. This theme is a perfect choice for a community website and it comes with a minimalist design which makes sure that pages load quickly. In addition, the design is top-notch and can be easily customized to cater for personal design needs thanks to the back-end powerful Admin panel.

OneSocial comes with multilingual support as well as social login integration to make it easier for you to attract global traffic. If you have a personal blog, this theme has special features to support this function. In addition, this theme is WooCommerce ready and therefore, you can easily set up an online store. Better ranking is achievable because OneSocial is SEO optimized and designed using secure code as well as faster page load speed which all contribute to good rankings.

KLEO – Next level WordPress Theme

Download     Demo

Developers have released a 4^th version of this theme which proves their commitment to make it perform better and maintain high standards. Its popularity is verifiable thanks to thousands of active users currently using this theme who agree that quality is one of its key highlights.  If you want to have a feel of this theme, it comes with three new demos as well as a free importer for demo pages. For new users, there is proper documentation online as well as tutorials to help users quickly grasp the steps required to set up the theme. Kleo utilizes a full-width header option as well as register pages and a pre-made login feature which is a common design nowadays. With a choice of 20 different demos to choose from, there are numerous templates to choose from and effortlessly load the related settings.

This theme has an intuitive Admin panel that makes it possible to introduce visual as well as functional changes without having to know how to code. Kleo also has a Visual Composer Drag and Drop page builder for quickly building pages. This theme comes with a sensei plugin which assists you to setup an e-learning course as well as run numerous online quizzes.

Engage – WordPress, BuddyPress, bbPress Theme

Download      Demo

Engage is a WordPress social networking theme that utilizes bbPress and BuddyPress plugins to enable you design and build a robust and active community site. This theme is associated with a clean, flat and modern design. It’s also able to have a nice visual appeal without demanding so much effort from you.

This profile allows users to easily sign up on the site, create profiles, make friends with other users as well as participate actively in groups. Engage allows elaborate customization possibilities thanks to the extensive options panel in the admin panel that allows you to change colors, backgrounds, fonts as well as headings. You can view your site on any device because this theme is highly responsive. Engage is also translation ready and therefore, it is possible to view content in different languages.  Layered PSD files are available incase more customization is required. For new and old users, there is plenty of documentation for learning and reference purposes.

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Auctions have always been part and parcel of the society since times in memorial. In the past, auctions were conducted on physical sites where bidders had to gather in order for the exercise to continue. However, with the coming of technology, auctions have now made their way to online platforms which has greatly simplified the entire process. Fortunately, WordPress allows you to easily and conveniently build an auction site to run on WordPress giving both you and your community the chance to sell to the community.

For a long time, eBay has been used as a platform for facilitating auctions. However, things have changed in the recent times because eBay have increased their fees forcing many users to seek alternatives which will guarantee them a better ROI. On third party platforms, you as an auctioneer get to determine the fees and earn yourself a commission for each sale you make. In addition, if you own an auction website that permits users to post their items for sale, you earn a portion for every successful sale on your site.

You can also decide to host your own auctions on your site. In this scenario, you are the only person who is posting items for bidding and your visitors are free to place bids on them. This way, you can conveniently sell your items via an auction platform without your making your visitors search for you on other sites. On the other hand, you don’t need to share bank accounts or PayPal with anyone else. Having your own auction site to post your items and owning an auction site that allows visitors to post their items will both build you a vibrant community of buyers and sellers.

Auction Press

Download     Demo

If you’re looking for a nice site to conduct your sales, Auction theme is a good choice. The cool thing about this theme is you can choose a niche to work on from numerous different categories. Every setup is equipped with all the necessary in-built functions. This theme is a product of PremiumPress a famous developer and therefore, you can be assured it will work in accordance to your expectations.

Auction is retina ready and therefore, has been optimized for use on different mobile devices as well as cross browser compatible. This awesome platform comes with Buy Now prices and an auto Bidding Reserve options which are key features for any auction site. This theme also comes with a dedicated Members area where bidding history is stored along with profile details.

WordPress Penny Auction Theme

Download    Demo

This theme is a SiteMile product which has splendid features and functionalities that will simplify the process of setting up online auction platforms. The layout of this theme provides the perfect starting point for a comprehensive solution which has already been setup. If you’re keen on having good search engine rankings, Penny is SEO optimized. This theme comes with numerous payment gateways which have been fully integrated with the theme to enable you earn money safely and conveniently. Penny is plug and play ready implying the theme is ready for use immediately it’s installed and activated. Penny is also fully compatible with WordPress 4.2.1 making it a modern and safe to use platform.

Bingo

Download     Demo

Bingo is an excellent theme that uses a mobile first design which enables it to work perfectly on various mobile based devices such as smartphones and tablets as well as laptops and desktop PCs. This theme has a built-in homepage Drag and Drop Page Builder, WPML ready, shortcodes generator as well as numerous WooCommerce’s extension integrations. From the rich features accompanying this theme, you can conclude it has been carefully designed to meet the needs of users. In addition, Bingo has an elegant, charming and unique User Interface (UI) that woos visitors and boosts user experience. This theme is accompanied by a set of tools which enables the webmaster to effortlessly set up and start an auction. Bingo has a blog where useful information regarding the theme is posted. There are also numerous Theme Options available which can be used to change different functions.

Bottls

Demo & Download

If you’re looking for a colorful and vibrant theme to bring your auction website to live, Bottls is an amazing option you can choose. This versatile theme supports auction, reverse auctions as well as offline options. It is loaded with WooCommerce features and has a wonderful screen that ensures all information is clearly displayed. As an auction theme, it is integrated with numerous safe and efficient payment gateways to facilitate easier transaction processing. The presence of advanced categorization options enables you to upload various products and services on auction display. Buyers can make use of great options such as wishlist, cart and product comparison to make a decision.

Essential

Download    Demo

Essential is a good pick for anyone looking for an e-commerce ready theme which allows full integration with auction templates. This theme is compatible with modern WordPress version plus inbuilt WooCommerce integration.  This theme is WPML ready to ensure you can translate content in an easy and convenient way. In addition, Essential has two types of sliders; normal and parallax. If you love colors, Essential will please you because it has unlimited color variations to enable you test different color effects. Among the key features of this theme is Mega Menu support which boosts user experience by unimaginable levels. Essential has an inbuilt WooCommerce Simple Auctions plugin as well as two homepage variations. This theme is also SEO compatible so your site has a good chance of attaining good search engine rankings.

The post 6+ Top WordPress Auction Themes 2016 appeared first on .

If you like to live the simple life, you don’t need to stop at just de-cluttering your house. Below are some tips for how to simplify your portfolio, blog, and business WordPress pages.

Profi

Remember that the minimalist look is well, minimal. The Profi theme through ThemeForest is a prime example of sleek and de-cluttered. Londigital has devised a few different (five to be exact) layouts to choose from for your own personal layout.

These homepage themes do not have bothersome busy images and are performance optimized as well as offering a variety of CSS3 animation to give your site that extra creative edge.

The idea behind removing extraneous information from your site is to make it easier for readers to get a true feel for what your talents are. Don’t hide behind a flashy site that does not convey your true artistic abilities.

What makes it worth checking out?

• Endless color schemes
• Hundreds of fonts
• Additional options for your theme in a convenient operations panel
• RTL and active translation

Raven

The Raven may be nevermore; but that does not mean your WordPress page needs to cease being nevermore unique. Take it all off with the Raven theme. The simple approach offers users various designs, colors and homepage options with additional ways to individualize your page.

Raven can offer you a chance to redesign your WordPress page and help you update it with simple one or two clicks. With predesigned layouts available to choose from, you shouldn’t have too much trouble finding the one that expresses your talent to your readers and to your hopefully potential clients.

What makes it worth checking out?

• Drag and drop method of building customized page
• Retina ready design
• Simple one click on the page can bring your new changes up and running
• Portfolio layouts are included on the Raven site
• Online selling platform options available

Inez

Creativity might seem to be counter to minimalism. How can you express yourself why creating a WordPress site that takes away rather than gives? But again, clutter easily gets in the way, even when you are trying to create authentic enticing displays.

Inez can offer those of you who are photographers and artists, a way to create a digital portfolio of your work. You are likely going to be filling it with big amounts of data, with pictures and more. Inez loads faster than others, which should make for a more user-friendly experience.

Although Inez does have specific elements that seem more geared towards helping individuals express their artistic side, this by no means that writers could not also utilize this service.

For one thing, marketing individuals might want to check this out for sharing their logo experience and more. And as for writers, presenting your written material in unique ways, through scanning in handwritten manuscripts and more would be a creative way to showcase your work and do so with the layout options available through Inez.

What makes it worth checking out?

• Bootstrap 3 will get your page up and running smoothly for readers and potential clients
• Security of site is taken seriously

• Not all your work is the same aspect ratio – so Inez offers a range of aspect ratios for your galleries
• Over 700 fonts through Google
• Project design elements

Nobel

Whether you are in need of an online portfolio or merely a digital profile, Nobel offers a clean design to use. Its user interface creates a smooth and simple experience.

There really is something to the notion of taking away being sort of freeing. When you take away information, you soon find that the most important information that was likely there first is not much more showcased. The process can help you regain control of your portfolio and present your most important and creative endeavors.

What Makes It Worth Checking Out?

• Drag and drop method to build pages
• A multitude of layouts are available
• Layouts are powered by the Premium Grid Builder plugin through ISOTOPE

Gonzo

When you need a more powerful design tool for your site, Gonzo has you covered. It is even recommended that if your business is magazine publication, Gonzo may be what you need.

Useable and high performing makes Gonzo perfect for a business blog or other writing endeavor.

What makes it worth checking out?

• Works smoothly on tablets, smart phones, laptops, desktops
• Looks exceedingly crisp and clear on a retina device
• GUI Shortcodes
• Different posting formats available
• Review or read reviews of sections of Gonzo by other users – through percentage ratings and star ratings of these sections
• Fast performance is ensured through HTML5 and CSS3

Kalium

If you are looking for a clean look for your site, Kalium could be your answer. Kalium seeks to offer a minimalist look to its page design, but does so for a variety of needs. From photographers, to bloggers, to agencies and e-commerce, Kalium has specific layouts for a variety of needs.

What makes it worth checking out?

• Various plugins offers, such as Visual Composer, LayerSlider and Revolution Slider
• Need to change a language? WPML is offered through the site, which means you can count on nothing being lost in translation
• Different transition effects
• Hovering effects – for clicking on specific parts of your WordPress page

SimpleMag

The more information you want to share with your audience, the more potential there is for your site to be one big cluttered mess, where no one can really see your creativity or what you have to offer.

SimpleMag is well, simple. But it is also a very elegant way to approach your WordPress site. SimpleMag offer various menus to choose from and also has plenty of options to help you find just exactly the design you are looking for.

What makes it worth checking out?

• SEO Optimization
• Customized widgets – more than six to be exact
• Menus are organized to help you find the design you want and help you find it fast
• E-commerce oriented too – with WooCommerce and bbPress applications

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