Original Source: https://www.sitepoint.com/top-wordpress-themes/?utm_source=rss

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Overworked, overstressed, and flat out fed up with starting every website design from scratch? Here are some WordPress theme solutions you’ll appreciate.

Maybe you need to switch to an easy-to-use theme — a WordPress theme that’s crazy-fast and gives you reliable performance may be your cup of tea.

Tired of having to build your websites from scratch? It’s totally unnecessary unless for some reason you absolutely want to.

Before you blame yourself for the situation you find yourself in, consider this: maybe it’s the tools you’re using. You may be trying to build a house without the use of power tools, scaffolding, or helpful aids.

One of the following 15 top WordPress themes should prove to be the solution to your problem. In fact, more than one of them could probably serve quite nicely.

Grab a cup of coffee and let’s get started.

1. BeTheme: Responsive, Multi-purpose WordPress Theme

This biggest-of-them-all multipurpose WordPress theme can’t be beaten in terms of the huge array of “power” tools and design elements it places at your disposal. BeTheme is fast and flexible. It’s easy for beginners to work with. If trying to satisfy multiple clients has become more stressful than rewarding, BeTheme has a solution for that as well.

Be’s selection of 500+ customizable, responsive pre-built websites is the highlight and a proven stress reducer. These professionally crafted, pre-built websites cover 30 industry sectors, all the common websites, and an impressive range of business niches.

They also have UX features and functionalities built into them, potentially saving you a ton of design time.

BeTheme uses the popular Muffin Builder 3 page builder, with WPBakery as an option.
There’s a Layouts Configurator if you really want to, or absolutely have to, build a page from scratch.
It has a Shortcode Generator and a large selection of shortcodes that, together with Be’s drag and drop features, eliminates the need for coding.
Be’s powerful Admin Panel provides unmatched flexibility.

I have purchased 4 of these themes at this point. Love the speed and build of them. Only wish list item would be a way to categorize and tag pages like you can with posts. — sharkyh2o

Click here and browse Be’s impressive collection of pre-built websites.

2. Total Theme

Total is another stress-reducing theme. This flexible and easy-to-use WordPress theme has been around for a while and has amassed a user base of 41,000 happy customers.

Total is drag and drop and it doesn’t require coding to build exactly the type of website you have in mind.
Total is also developer friendly thanks to its system of hooks, filters, and snippets.
There are more than 500 advanced customizing options available, plus 100+ page-builder elements and design modules to work with and 40+ pre-built demos to get any project off to a solid start.
You won’t be burdened by third-party plugins either, since this WooCommerce-ready theme is compatible with all WordPress plugins.

Very Friendly
Very Simple
Clean Code
Good Flexibility
Cool Elements
Excelent custom panel
Good integration with WooCommerce

Love this theme, it can do everything I need including shops, in a very good and easy way. — soswebdesign

Click here to discover if Total is the solution you’ve been looking for.

3. Avada

If you choose a best-selling theme, chances are it’s going to relieve rather than add to any stress you may be encountering. Avada is such a theme.

Its Dynamic Content System provides unmatched flexibility.
Avada integrates totally with WooCommerce and includes product design drag and drop capabilities.
55+ pre-built websites are included to get you off to a fast start.

Great theme! As my first WordPress theme, it offers many options and continues to improve! — nwilger

Click here to find out more about this best-seller.

4. TheGem: Creative, Multi-Purpose, High-Performance WordPress Theme

Featuring the most beautiful designs for WordPress is what many web designers will tell you about TheGem. What really gets them excited, however, are the tools that come with the package.

Those same designers will tell you that TheGem is the ultimate WordPress toolbox. To name but just a few of the goodies, you’ll find:

plenty of pre-built, one-click installable websites
over 400 modern and trendy design templates
a ready-to-go fashion store

Great theme and great service. — bepreoo

Your very own ultimate toolbox is just a click or two away.

5. Uncode: Creative, Multiuse WordPress Theme

Bloggers, freelancers, and creatives of all types, plus small businesses and agencies, will benefit from making this ThemeForest bestseller with its 60K+ sales their theme of choice. This is doubly true if you need to create a portfolio or magazine-style website or any type or style of a page.

Features include:

a powerful front-end editor
adaptive image and advanced grid systems
WooCommerce compatibility and single product design and display features.

The star of the show is Uncode’s showcase of user-created websites. They tell a story of what Uncode could do for you, plus they are a source of inspiration.

Nice code, good support, design possibilities are endless. — zoutmedia

Visit Uncode and browse its showcase of user-built websites.

6. Houzez: Highly Customizable Real Estate WordPress Theme

There are some website types that a multi-purpose theme simply can’t help you with — usually because of unique and special features that are required. For the realestate sector, as an example, using a theme like Houzez is a must. Houzez’ unique functionalities include:

advanced property searching
flexible property listings formatting
a property management system

In addition, this drag and drop theme can easily be customized to match a realtor’s business model.

I really love the function and the appearance of the theme. — stuffmartusa2

If you happen to have a realtor for a client, look no further.

The post 15 Top WordPress Themes to Use in 2020 appeared first on SitePoint.

Original Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/1stwebdesigner/~3/Z6tIJZ4xUPM/

A new year is upon us and that means many people take a moment to pause and reflect on the goals they wish to achieve for themselves over the course of the next 12 months. Setting resolutions looks different for …

Original Source: https://www.webdesignerdepot.com/2020/01/exciting-new-tools-for-designers-january-2020/

We typically start the month with a roundup of new tools and resources for designers, but with the start of a new year (and new decade), we thought a roundup of things to help you get more organized would be appropriate.

Some of these tools have been around for a while with features you might not be using. Other tools are on the new side and offer great functionality. How many of these tools are part of your kit? Which ones will you resolve to use this year?

Here’s what you need to get organized this month and start 2020 off right.

Dropbox

Dropbox is one tool that’s hard to live without. Not only can you use it to manage files and share, you can also use it to run presentations directly with Zoom conferencing or in Slack. Free plans are enough to get started and upgraded plans provide greater storage capability for individuals or teams.

Working from multiple locations with desktop sync and sharing client files are features that make this tool something I use every day.

Feature you need to be using: Shared link expiration dates. When you share files via link, set an expiration date to ensure files aren’t hanging out with access indefinitely.

Slack

Slack is probably a tool that you are already using, but are you making the most of it? Channels, hashtags, and integrations are the key to ensuring that Slack works for you in the way you need it. Take the time to set these up for an efficient, and organized, workflow across multiple teams.

Feature you need to be using: Sync Slack and your Google Calendar for real-time away statuses that work for you.

Cloud Libraries

We all work from a variety of locations—home, work, on desktops and laptops—so cloud-based libraries are a must. Save common files in a location that you can access from anywhere.

Feature you need to be using: Adobe Creative Cloud comes with a place to save libraries, but you can save and connect library files from any cloud-based tool.

Trello

Trello is a free organization and collaboration tool for just about any project. Think of it as a giant project checklist that allows you (or other team members) to keep an eye on how anything from a website build to planning a trip. It works cross devices and isn’t hard to figure out.

Feature you need to be using: Workflow automatons with due date commands and rule-based triggers to make tedious processes happen on their own.

Google Keep

Google Keep is the notetaking app you always wanted. Take notes from any device—sync across all devices—and share or keep notes to yourself. You can take notes by typing, with photos or audio (and it will transcribe messages for you). The best part is this notes app is free and pretty much makes anything else you are using obsolete.

Feature you need to be using: Location, and time-based reminders help keep you on task just when you need it.

Grammarly

Grammarly saves time and effort by checking your messages, everything from documents to website content to emails or social media posts, as you type. Use it to avoid embarrassing mistakes in your writing.

Feature you need to be using: Emojis help you track the tone of your message so that it’s on point and audience-appropriate.

ClickUp

ClickUp takes all your other apps and merges them into a single location and dashboard for easy organization. You can use it to manage your own workspace (free) or collaborate with teams (paid plan). There are multiple views—I’m a big fan of the list option—and templates help jumpstart using the tool.

Feature you need to be using: Use the messages option to create tasks or comments. Boom!

Filing System

Nothing beats a solid filing system. The key benefit of a system is that you store files and folders in the same way every time, making it easier to find things later.

I keep folders first by year. Within annual folders are folders by client name. Then by project name. When projects are complete, I end up with two folders: WORKING and FINAL. Use the same format for naming files. (I use Client Name-Project-Year.)

Feature you need to be using: Date project files. Relying on “date modified” settings isn’t enough if you resave an old file by mistake.

Invoicely

Invoicely makes it easy to work as a freelance designer. The platform is made for sending invoices, managing clients, and allows you to accept online payments. It’s secure and offers a free plan (as well as a paid option).

Feature you need to be using: If you are trying to get organized, time tracking tools help you know just what an individual client costs. You can enter time, expense per client, and mileage so you can get a realistic picture of revenue by project.

HelloSign

HelloSign is for anyone dealing with documents that need signatures. Send and sign online with a platform that’s secure and easy for users to understand. Plus, you can sign items right from common tools such as Gmail or other G-Suite apps.

Feature you need to be using: Store all your signed documents in the interface so you can find them later. (HelloSign will also automatically send reminders if someone hasn’t signed a form.)

Traditional Planner + Online Calendar

Pair a paper planner with your online calendar to keep track of tasks (paper planner as a checklist) as well as events and appointments (online calendar). Daily deadlines are best managed when you can jot them down and check them off throughout the day. Plus, that note is right in front of you to stay focused.

Feature you need to be using: Try a weekly paper planner, tear off sheets, or a dry erase board for task management that doesn’t seem overwhelming.

WeTransfer

WeTransfer makes sending large files a lot easier. There’s nothing worse than a file getting lost in cyberspace because it’s too big for email. WeTransfer allows you to send and receive big files with just a click. (And you don’t have to have an account to download files.)

Feature you need to be using: Integrate WeTransfer with other tools such as Slack, Sketch or Chrome for direct sharing from wherever you are working.

JotForm

JotForm is the ultimate tool for creating any type of online form, from simple surveys to signups to payment collection or image uploads. The service has free and paid plans, depending on usage and everything is customizable, so forms can be branded with ease.

Feature you need to be using: PDF Templates are ready-made forms for everything from a simple invoice to contracts or photo waivers. Start with a PDF and tweak as you need. Plus, you can set it up to be filled out digitally and returned to you. This is a huge timesaver, and you can save custom forms in your account to use over and over again.

 

Featured image via Unsplash.

Source

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.alignleft {float:left;}
p.showcase {clear:both;}
body#browserfriendly p, body#podcast p, div#emailbody p{margin:0;}

Original Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/tympanus/~3/Z1lfhz4c038/

Inspirational Website of the Week: Obys

A combination of unique layouts, beautiful elements and smooth animations make Obys stand out.

Get inspired

This content is sponsored via Thought Leaders
Manage projects better in 2020 – Clubhouse.io

“Clubhouse is like a fast and delightful version of Jira, a more purposeful version of Trello.” Free for up to 10 users.

Check it out

The End of Indie Web Browsers: You Can (Not) Compete

Samuel Maddock’s sobering article on the detrimental consequences of the introduction of Encrypted Media Extensions (EME) by the W3C, bringing with it the end of competitive Indie web browsers.

Read it

Smaller HTML Payloads with Service Workers

Philip Walton shares a great technique leveraging Service Workers to decrease HTML payloads.

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All Design Conferences

A great project by Pablo Stanley: a list of all design and front-end conferences around the world in 2020.

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calcolor.co

A fantastic new way to find, modify and share digital colors. Created by Timon Weber.

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Let’s Learn Eleventy!

In this episode of “Learn With Jason”, Zach Leatherman shows how Eleventy makes building static sites fast and fun.

Watch it

Why You Should Choose HTML5 <article> Over <section>

In this article, Bruce Lawson explains what use we have of <section> and how authors should mark up headings that are hugely important to AT users.

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EscherSketch

A really nice tool for drawing and exploring symmetrical patterns and designs. It can export pictures, pattern tiles for fabric and wallpaper design, and SVG for further editing.

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Awwwards Nominees of the Year 2019

Vote for the best of the web in the annual awards by Awwwards.

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Fun with CSS Motion Path

Michelle Barker shares some fun animations you can do with the new CSS Motion Path properties.

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Publish

A static site generator built specifically for Swift developers. It enables entire websites to be built using Swift, supporting themes, plugins and more customization options.

Check it out

Whack-a-mole!

Andrew Burton coded this offline-first PWA version of Whack-a-mole for his children. The source code can be found here.

Check it out

Mailchimp’s 2019 Annual Report

The beautiful annual report by Mailchimp that highlights some interesting stats.

Check it out

Multi-Thumb Sliders: Particular Two-Thumb Case

In this two part article, Ana Tudor makes her own version of a multi-thumb slider.

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The Solar System 2010 – 2020

Rob DiMarzo explores the changes the solar system has gone through in the past decade.

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22120

An archivist browser controller that caches everything you browse, a library server with full text search to serve your archive.

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The Jam – Swissted

A fantastic GSAP 3 powered demo by Pete Barr where he brings a poster to life.

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7 CSS properties you had no idea about

A compilation of some really interesting and lesser known CSS properties.

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13 ways to vertical center in 2020

The team of LogRocket shows 13 ways to vertically center an element in CSS. Check out the demos here.

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From Our Blog
Awesome Demos Roundup #12

A hand-picked collection of fantastic web experiments for your inspiration.

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From Our Blog
Playing with Texture Projection in Three.js

In this tutorial, you’ll learn how to project a texture onto an object in Three.js with some interesting examples.

Check it out

Collective #579 was written by Pedro Botelho and published on Codrops.

Original Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/1stwebdesigner/~3/Smp75T6y8A0/

Among the top reasons to sell products or services online with WooCommerce is the WordPress plugin’s extensibility. Developers have extended it in all manner of ways. Everything from the look of your eCommerce shop to the types of products you sell can be changed and improved. And that’s just scratching the surface.

If you possess slightly more advanced development skills, there is a whole world of tweaks you can implement. They take place under the hood, so-to-speak, in your theme’s functions.php file or via custom plugins you can write yourself.

We’re talking about WordPress hooks. These are built in ways that you can interact with what a specific plugin, or WordPress itself, is doing. They’re highly useful for adding additional functionality or even changing the output of what’s displayed on the screen.

Luckily, WooCommerce has an extensive set of hooks available. You can use them to customize the shopping cart and tweak the user experience to match your needs.

Today, we’ll take a look at a few basic examples of how hooks can make WooCommerce that much better. But first, let’s explore why they’re often the best way to make customizations.

Why Use Hooks?

WordPress is nothing if not flexible. Thus, there are usually a number of different ways to accomplish the same thing. The same is true of WooCommerce.

For example, WooCommerce provides developers with the ability to override the various templates that the plugin utilizes. It might be a product page, a product category or even the checkout screen. If you need to add a custom bit of code, this is an easy enough way to do so.

However, the core versions of these templates are updated over time. If the particular template you’ve overridden is updated, you’ll need to reconcile that with any customizations. Otherwise, you run the risk of display errors or even the loss of functionality.

Hooks, on the other hand, don’t require you to directly edit a template. Instead, they allow you to insert code at a specific location and time. Since they are stored either in your theme’s functions.php file or a custom plugin, they remain largely unaffected by new versions of templates.

The sheer number of hooks built into WooCommerce often makes it a more effective and easier to maintain path to customization.

WooCommerce Hook Examples

Now that we know a bit more about why hooks are the preferred way to customize your cart, let’s take a look at a few examples of what they can do.

The following are basic code snippets that demonstrate the potential of hooks. They can add helpful information and functionality that improve the user experience. What’s more, these items can be added across the board or just in specific situations.

Add a Message to Product Pages

Imagine that you’re running an online store and you’re preparing for the holiday shopping season. You want to make sure that your customers know when the ordering deadline is for Christmas delivery.

While you could add a message to every individual product through the WordPress back end, that wouldn’t be very efficient. Instead, a hook could do the job in one shot.

Here’s the code, which goes into your theme’s functions.php file or a custom plugin:

What It Does
The hook, woocommerce_before_single_product, will place your code at the very top of each product’s page. Our custom function, my_product_notice_function, is the code that is added in and contains the special message.

Going Further
The above example would apply to ALL products within your shop. But what if you wanted to target only products within a specific category? There is a way accomplish that:

Now, we’ve managed to target just the products in the “Toys” category. Of course, there are a number of other possibilities here. You could, for example, display different messages based on a product’s category by adding in some conditional tags. Hooks really can be customized to match your exact needs.

Remove Related Products

By default, WooCommerce will show a listing of related products at the bottom of your product pages. But there may be times when you’d rather not show this information. A super-simple hook can take care of it.

Once again, the following code goes into your theme’s functions.php file or a custom plugin:

What It Does
As the name indicates, the remove_action() function is used to remove the function (woocommerce_output_related_products) attached to the specific hook (woocommerce_after_single_product_summary) we’re targeting.

Also note the number 20 in the code. This is the priority of our function and determines when it runs. The default priority is 10, so, the higher number indicates that it will run after the default. This ensures that the hook won’t be overridden by WooCommerce itself.

Rename a Product Tab

Hooks can also change the default output of WooCommerce. In this example from the WooCommerce Snippet Library, a filter will rename each of the three default tabs shown on product pages.

This code (you guessed it) should be placed into your theme’s functions.php file or a custom plugin:

What It Does
This function retrieves the title of each product tab (“Description”, “Reviews”, “Additional Information”) and changes their titles to “More Information”, “Ratings” and “Product Data”, respectively. You could, of course, change any of those titles to match your needs.

Creating a Better Shopping Experience

Just about every WooCommerce shop could benefit from some customizations. Each business is different and a default install simply can’t reflect all of the potential nuances.

Hooks are what can take a website from generic to a true reflection of a company’s brand and way of doing business. They allow us to add those little details that make for a unique user experience.

And, you don’t have to be a master developer to start using them. The examples above, basic as they are, can provide a great starting point. The best way to learn is often to take what’s already been done and experiment. Soon, you’ll find all sorts of situations where a hook can be just the thing your project needs.