Nick Roach’s Elegant Themes Review

Published April 16th by Kyle in WordPress Wednesdays 33

This Article was last updated on July 27, 2010

Having the right WordPress Theme is crucial to your blog’s success. It’s kind of like the study that showed how people looking to buy a home can make up their mind within 8 seconds of walking in the door whether they like it or not – by not giving your visitors the right first impression (your design) – you’re literally inviting them to hit the back button.

The Dilemma

As a blogger your focus should be on content. Blog design is important, but when you think about it, do people go to Craigslist because it looks pretty? Absolutely not. They use it because they’re the best in the field.

Since we’re not all Craigslists, we must merge the design and content aspects together in as seamless a manner as possible. You want to have a nice looking design, but you most likely are not strong in design itself (much less coding that pretty design). You want a unique, impressive look that conveys professionalism and passion about your craft, but you’re probably not an expert at usability (how “usuable” your site is to visitors). And finally, you want to do all this in the cheapest, most cost effictive way possible (nothing wrong with that).

Elegant Themes

Have you ever spent any length of time browsing around countless free wordpress theme sites only to be left feeling unsatisfied? Does it seem like most of the free themes are … well … free for a reason? Where are all the best wordpress themes? After going through these motions for a period of time, I decided to take a look at some premium wordpress themes to see if they were really that much better than the free ones. Shortly thereafter, I discovered Nick Roach’s Elegant Themes, and that changed everything for me.

I knew I could hire a web designer to create a nice looking website as I’ve done countless times in the past. But at $800-$3500/pop, designers can be expensive. I was interested in finding a nice looking design that I could learn to tweak and modify myself to make it more personalized and customized to my liking.

As a website and blog developer, I am frequently developing new sites, and aside from the content itself, I want each design to be unique and professional. Enter ElegantThemes.

Elegant Themes Premium WordPress Theme Club

Forget $200-$500 like many other premium theme clubs, for $20 - YES $39 – members get unlimited access and unlimited use to all of Nicks’ premium wordpress themes. To date there are 43 elegant wordpress themes, with 2-3 currently in production. He typically releases 1-2 new WordPress themes per month – the most recent being the DailyNotes WordPress Theme added to this list on July 27, 2010.

I’m going to get out of the way and let Nick’s design speak for itself. As you will see, these are top notch designs that would normally run you several thousand dollars a piece (I’ve researched hiring a good wordpress theme designer, and that is the going rate).

Without further ado, here are the premium wordpress themes from ElegantThemes:

DailyNotes WordPress Theme (added 7/27/10)

DailyNotes Theme Features:

• Four (4) unique color schemes
• Automated thumbnail resizing
• Tumblr-style post types
• In-depth theme options
• Advertising management
• Complete Localization

Example Sites Using The DailyNotes Theme (Showcase):

• Email us if you are using the DailyNotes Theme, and we’ll list you here.

More Information On DailyNotes From Elegant Themes:

• Demo DailyNotes

DelicateNews WordPress Theme

DelicateNews Theme Features:

• Four (4) unique color schemes
• Automated thumbnail resizing
• Optional blog-style post layout
• In-depth theme options
• Advertising management
• Complete Localization

Example Sites Using The DelicateNews Theme (Showcase):

• Email us if you are using the DelicateNews Theme, and we’ll list you here.

More Information On DelicateNews From Elegant Themes:

• Demo DelicateNews

LightBright WordPress Theme

LightBright Theme Features:

• Four (4) unique color schemes
• Automated thumbnail resizing
• Tumblr-style post types
• In-depth theme options
• Advertising management
• Complete Localization

Example Sites Using The LightBright Theme (Showcase):

• Email us if you are using the DailyNotes Theme, and we’ll list you here.

More Information On LightBright From Elegant Themes:

• Demo LightBright

MyApp WordPress Theme

MyApp Theme Features:

• Four (4) unique color schemes
• Automated thumbnail resizing
• Optional blog-style post layout
• In-depth theme options
• Advertising management
• Complete Localization

Example Sites Using The MyApp Theme (Showcase):

• Email us if you are using the MyApp Theme, and we’ll list you here.

More Information On MyApp From Elegant Themes:

• Demo MyApp

TheSource WordPress Theme

TheSource Theme Features:

• Four (4) unique color schemes
• Automated thumbnail resizing
• Optional blog-style post layout
• In-depth theme options
• Advertising management
• Complete Localization

Example Sites Using TheSource Theme (Showcase):

• Email us if you are using TheSource Theme, and we’ll list you here.

More Information On TheSource From Elegant Themes:

• Demo TheSource

PersonalPress WordPress Theme

PersonalPress Theme Features:

• Five (5) unique color schemes
• Automated thumbnail resizing
• Optional blog-style post layout
• In-depth theme options
• Advertising management
• Complete Localization

Example Sites Using The PersonalPress Theme (Showcase):

• Email us if you are using the PersonalPress Theme, and we’ll list you here.

More Information On PersonalPress From Elegant Themes:

• Demo PersonalPress

MyProduct WordPress Theme

MyProduct Theme Features:

• Five (5) unique color schemes: Blue, Green, Refined Blue, and Purple
• Automated thumbnail resizing
• Optional blog-style post layout
• In-depth theme options
• Advertising management
• Complete Localization

Example Sites Using The MyProduct Theme (Showcase):

• Email us if you are using the MyProduct Theme, and we’ll list you here.

More Information On MyProduct From Elegant Themes:

• Demo MyProduct

MyResume WordPress Theme

MyResume Theme Features:

• Five (5) unique color schemes (Wooden, Stone, Subtle, Canvas, & Modest)
• Automated thumbnail resizing
• Custom Portfolio Integration

Example Sites Using The MyResume Theme (Showcase):

• Email us if you are using the MyResume Theme, and we’ll list you here.

More Information On MyResume From Elegant Themes:

• Demo MyResume

Minimal WordPress Theme

Minimal Theme Features:

• Two (2) unique color schemes: Light & Dark
• Automated thumbnail resizing
• Optional blog-style post layout
• Advertising management
• Complete Localization

Example Sites Using The Minimal Theme (Showcase):

• Email us if you are using the Minimal Theme, and we’ll list you here.

More Information On Minimal From Elegant Themes:

• Demo Minimal

13th Floor WordPress Theme

13th Floor Theme Features:

• Five (5) unique color schemes: Blue, Green, Brown, Yellow,and Purple
• Automated thumbnail resizing
• Optional blog-style post layout
• Advertising management
• Complete Localization

Example Sites Using The 13thFloor Theme (Showcase):

• Email us if you are using the 13thFloor Theme, and we’ll list you here.

More Information On 13th Floor From Elegant Themes:

• Demo 13th Floor

Polished WordPress Theme

Polished Theme Features:

• Six (6) unique color schemes/skins
• Automated thumbnail resizing
• Optional blog-style post layout
• Advertising management
• Complete localization

Example Sites Using The Polished Theme (Showcase):

• Email us if you are using the Polished Theme, and we’ll list you here.

More Information On Polished From Elegant Themes:

• Demo Polished

The Corporation WordPress Theme

The Corporation Theme Features:

• Six (6) unique color schemes
• Automated thumbnail resizing
• Optional blog-style post layout
• Advertising management
• Complete localization

Example Sites Using The Corporation Theme (Showcase):

• Email us if you are using the Corporation Theme, and we’ll list you here.

More Information On The Corporation From Elegant Themes:

• Demo The Corporation

Business Card WordPress Theme

Business Card Theme Features:

• Five (5) unique color schemes
• Automated thumbnail resizing
• Fully functional gallery

Example Sites Using The Business Card Theme (Showcase):

• Email us if you are using the BusinessCard Theme, and we’ll list you here.

More Information On Business Card From Elegant Themes:

• Demo Business Card

OnTheGo WordPress Theme

OnTheGo Theme Features:

• Four (4) unique color schemes: Blue, Green, Brown, and Purple
• Automated thumbnail resizing
• Optional blog-style post layout
• In-depth theme options
• Advertising management

Example Sites Using The OnTheGo Theme (Showcase):

• Super Brian

More Information On OnTheGo From Elegant Themes:

• Demo OnTheGo

Deviant WordPress Theme

Deviant Theme Features:

• Six (6) unique color schemes: Red, Green, Purple, Black, Orange , or Blue
• Automated thumbnail resizing
• Optional blog-style post layout
• In-depth theme options
• Advertising management

Example Sites Using The Deviant Theme (Showcase):

• Self Publishing Coach
• DarnTruth.com

More Information On Deviant From Elegant Themes:

• Demo Deviant

Lumin WordPress Theme

Lumin Theme Features:

• Three (3) unique color schemes
• Automated thumbnail resizing
• Optional blog-style post layout
• In-depth theme options
• Advertising management
• Gallery layout display

Example Sites Using The Lumin Theme (Showcase):

• Sefershema.com (non-english site)

More Information On Lumin From Elegant Themes:

• Demo Lumin

Glow WordPress Theme

Glow Theme Features:

• Three unique color schemes
• Automated thumbnail resizing
• Optional blog-style post layout
• In-depth theme options
• Advertising management

Example Sites Using The Glow Theme (Showcase):

• Faux Flix

More Information On Glow From Elegant Themes:

• Demo Glow

eNews WordPress Theme

eNews Theme Features:

• Five (5) unique color schemes: Red, Green, Purple, Turquoise, or Blue
• Automated thumbnail resizing
• Featured articles display
• Optional blog-style post layout
• In-depth theme options
• Advertising management

Example Sites Using The eNews Theme (Showcase):

• Johnny Congress

More Information On eNews From Elegant Themes:

• Demo eNews

Bold WordPress Theme

Bold Theme Features:

• Five (5) unique color schemes: Red, Green, Purple , Turquoise, or Blue
• Automated thumbnail resizing
• Featured articles display
• Optional blog-style post layout
• In-depth theme options
• Advertising management

Example Sites Using The Bold Theme (Showcase):

• Social Media Business Forum

More Information On Bold From Elegant Themes:

• Demo Bold

ePhoto WordPress Theme

ePhoto Theme Features:

• Two (2) unique color schemes: Black or Blue
• Automated thumbnail resizing
• In-depth theme options
• Integrated blog section
• Advertising management

Example Sites Using The ePhoto Theme (Showcase):

• PintDecor.de
• AZdustdevil Photographic

More Information On ePhoto From Elegant Themes:

• Demo ePhoto

eBusiness WordPress Theme

eBusiness Theme Features:

• Nine (9) unique color schemes
• Automated thumbnail resizing
• In-depth theme options
• Optional blog-style post layout
• Advertising management

Example Sites Using The eBusiness Theme (Showcase):

• Traffic Engineers

More Information On eBusiness From Elegant Themes:

• Demo eBusiness

Coldstone WordPress Theme

Coldstone Theme Features:

• Three unique post layouts*
• Three widget-ready areas*
• Advertising management
• Featured articles display
• Automated thumbnail resizing
• In-depth theme options
• Four unique background designs

Example Sites Using The Coldstone Theme (Showcase):

• Courtroom Presentations
• Modern Touch

More Information On Coldstone From Elegant Themes:

• Demo Coldstone

Puretype WordPress Theme

Puretype Theme Features:

• Three unique colors: Default, Blue, or Black
• Featured articles display*
• Advertising management
• Optional blog-style post layout
• Automated thumbnail resizing
• In-depth theme options

Example Sites Using The Puretype Theme (Showcase):

• NYC Posts
• GeekCast

More Information On Puretype From Elegant Themes:

• Demo Puretype

Basic WordPress Theme

Basic Theme Features:

• Four unique color schemes: Red, Blue, Green, or Purple
• Automated thumbnail resizing
• In-depth theme options
• Optional blog-style post layout
• Advertising management

Example Sites Using The Basic Theme (Showcase):

• Wactivist
• Home School Cafe

More Information On Basic From Elegant Themes:

• Demo Basic

Cherrytruffle WordPress Theme

Cherrytruffle Theme Features:

• Three unique colors: Default, Blue, or Purple
• Automated thumbnail resizing*
• Advertising management*
• Optional blog-style post layout*
• In-depth theme options*

Example Sites Using The Cherrytruffle Theme (Showcase):

• As A Star

More Information On Cherrytruffle From Elegant Themes:

• Demo Cherrytruffle

Lightsource WordPress Theme

Lightsource Theme Features:

• Lifestream integration*
• Optional blog-style post layout
• Three unique color schemes: Purple, Blue, or Green
• Featured articles display
• Automated thumbnail resizing
• In-depth theme options

Example Site Using The Lightsource Theme (Showcase):

• Forties Fun

More Information On Lightsource From Elegant Themes:

• Demo Lightsource

eGamer WordPress Theme

eGamer Theme Features:

• Author rating system*
• Optional blog-style post layout
• Featured articles display
• Video integration*
• Four unique color schemes: Rust-Red, Blue, Green, or Purple
• Automated thumbnail resizing
• In-depth theme options

Example Sites Using The eGamer Theme (Showcase):

• Player Wild
• Kouppa-NetworkLive

More Information On eGamer From Elegant Themes:

• Demo eGamer

eVid WordPress Theme

eVid Theme Features:

• Video Integration
• Featured articles display
• Advertising management
• Custom video interface *
• Automated thumbnail resizing
• In-depth theme options

Example Sites Using The eVid Theme (Showcase):

• Nima Shams Composer
• Season In The Balance

More Information On eVid From Elegant Themes:

• Demo eVid

Cion WordPress Theme

Cion Theme Features:

• Three unique color schemes: Purple, Blue, or Green
• About me section *
• Advertising management
• Featured articles display
• Automated thumbnail resizing
• In-depth theme options

Example Site Using The Cion Theme (Showcase):

• Billie Raven

More Information On Cion From Elegant Themes:

• Demo Cion

eGallery WordPress Theme

eGallery Theme Features:

• Three unique color schemes: Blue, Brown, or Monochrome
• Post ratings integration*
• Automated thumbnail resizing
• Unique gallery display format*
• Featured articles display
• Built-in lightbox*
• In-depth theme options

Example Sites Using The eGallery Theme (Showcase):

• Life Of DJ
• Gotham Glassworks

More Information On eGallery From Elegant Themes:

• Demo eGallery

Grungemag WordPress Theme

Grungemag Theme Features:

• Three unique color schemes: Red, Blue, or Green
• Automated thumbnail resizing
• In-depth theme options
• Featured articles display
• Advertising management

Example Sites Using The Grungemag Theme (Showcase):

• Cathryn Gray
• Foreign Language Mastery
• The Malaysia Page

More Information On Grungemag From Elegant Themes:

• Demo Grungemag

Influx WordPress Theme

Influx Theme Features:

• Four unique background designs: Default, Grunge, Subtelty, and Oceanic
• Automated thumbnail resizing
• Featured articles display
• In-depth theme options

Example Site Using The Influx Theme (Showcase):

• About Rob Thomas

More Information On Influx From Elegant Themes:

• Demo Influx

Studioblue WordPress Theme

Studioblue Theme Features:

• Five unique color schemes: Blue, Brown, Green, Black, or Pink (hey, ladies)
• Optional blog-style post layout
• Advertising management
• Featured articles display
• Automated thumbnail resizing
• In-depth theme options

Example Sites Using The Studioblue Theme (Showcase):

• Ammunition Storage
• PrairieFire Productions
• In The Agora

More Information On StudioBlue From Elegant Themes:

• Demo Studioblue

Who’sWho WordPress Theme

Who’sWho Theme Features:

• Four unique color schemes: Blue, Red, Green, and Purple
• Optional blog-style post layout
• Advertising management
• Featured articles display
• Automated thumbnail resizing
• In-depth theme options

Example Sites Using The Who’sWho Theme (Showcase):

• Sweet Fuzz
• On This Island
• Mamun Ahmed

More Information On Who’sWho From Elegant Themes:

• Demo Who’sWho

Interphase WordPress Theme

Interphase Theme Features:

• Clean design with a “cutting edge” feel
• Advertising management
• In-depth theme options

Example Sites Using The Interphase Theme (Showcase):

• Out Of Work Chicago
• Markos Rigakis
• Mitch Hewer

More Information On Interphase From Elegant Themes:

• Demo Interphase

Wooden WordPress Theme

Wooden Theme Features:

• Unique, down to earth design
• In-depth theme options

Example Site Using The Wooden Theme (Showcase):

• Gun And Game

More Information On Wooden From Elegant Themes:

• Demo Wooden

Tidalforce WordPress Theme

Tidalforce Theme Features:

• Smooth blue design packed full of features
• In-depth theme options

More Information On Tidalforce From Elegant Themes:

• Demo Tidalforce

Artsee WordPress Theme

Artsee Theme Features:

• A truly “artsy” design for those who love simplicity and elegance
• In-depth theme options

Example Site Using The Artsee Theme (Showcase):

• My Evil Blog

More Information On Artsee From Elegant Themes:

• Demo Artsee

Earthlytouch WordPress Theme

Earthlytouch Theme Features:

• Five unique color schemes: Blue, Green, Purple, or Red
• Featured articles display
• Automated thumbnail resizing
• In-depth theme options
• Optional blog-style post layout
• Advertising management

Example Site Using The Earthlytouch Theme (Showcase):

• View From My Seats

More Information On Earthlytouch From Elegant Themes:

• Demo Earthlytouch

Quadro WordPress Theme

Quadro Theme Features:

• Five unique color schemes: Red, Purple, Green, Pink, or Blue
• Optional blog-style post layout
• Advertising management
• Featured articles display
• Automated thumbnail resizing
• In-depth theme options

Example Site Using The Quadro Theme (Showcase):

• Rocket Spanish Review
• Tech Assist Tutorials, Resources and Expertise

More Information On Quadro From Elegant Themes:

• Demo Quadro

Simplism WordPress Theme

Simplism Theme Features:

• Five unique color schemes: Blue, Green, Purple, or Red
• Featured articles display
• Automated thumbnail resizing
• In-depth theme options
• Optional blog-style post layout

Example Site Using The Simplism Theme (Showcase):

• Museum Insider

More Information on Simplism from Elegant Themes:

• Demo Simplism

Bluemist WordPress Theme

Bluemist Theme Features:

• For those looking for a smooth design
• In-depth theme options

Example Site Using The Bluemist Theme (Showcase):

• Pamela’s Grant Writing Blog

More Information On Bluemist from Elegant Themes:

• Demo Bluemist

Bluesky WordPress Theme

Bluesky Theme Features:

• The original theme from Elegant Themes
• Four unique color schemes: Blue, Red, Green, or Purple
• Automated thumbnail resizing
• Optional blog-style post layout
• In-depth theme options

More Information On Bluesky From Elegant Themes:

• Demo Bluesky

Elegant Themes Standard Features

Throughout the list of premium wordpress themes, you may have noticed an * next to a certain feature. Certain features are theme specific and others are used in all of them. Before we explain what each * feature is, we want to share what’s standard and included with ALL premium themes from ElegantThemes:

Widget ready sidebars

Theme options page

Custom thumbnail images

PSD Files

Valid XHTML + CSS

Smooth tabless design

Sitewise search bar

Gravatar ready

Firefox compatible

IE8 + IE7 + IE6 compatible

Opera compatible

Netscape compatible

Safari compatible

WordPress 2.9+ compatible

Elegant Themes (*) Features Explained

Throughout the list of premium wordpress themes, you may have noticed an * next to a certain feature. We * a feature the first time it appears although other themes may include the feature as well. Below you will find a brief description of each * feature:

Automated Thumbnail Resizing

This utilizes timthumb to automatically resize your thumbnail images. Because of this, only one thumbnail images is required per post, despite the various thumbnail sizes used in the theme.

Themes With This Feature: CherryTruffle, PureType, Basic, Coldstone, Lightsource, eGamer, eVid, Cion, eGallery, GrungeMag, Influx, Studioblue, Who’sWho, EarthlyTouch, Quadro, Simplism, Bluesky, eBusiness, eNews, Bold, Glow, Lumin, Deviant, OnTheGo, Business Card, MyProduct, MyResume, Minimal, 13th Floor, Polished, The Corporation

Advertising Management

With this feature you can place 125×125 banner images in your sidebar and 468×60 ads to your post pages with ease. Can be turned off.

Themes With This Feature: CherryTruffle, PureType, Basic, Coldstone, eVid, Cion, GrungeMag, Studioblue, Who’sWho, EarthlyTouch, Quadro, eBusiness, eNews, Bold, Glow, Lumin, Deviant, OnTheGo, MyProduct, Minimal, 13th Floor, Polished, The Corporation

In-Depth Theme Options

All ElegantThemes themes come with an options page that features a long list of settings that makes managing the theme as user-friendly (and easy) as possible.

Themes With This Feature: All

Optional Blog-Style Post Layout

If you would rather not use the abbreviated post structure you can opt for the optional blog-style layout. When enabled, your posts will be displayed in full like a traditional blog.

Themes With This Feature: CherryTruffle, PureType, Basic, Lightsource, eGamer, Studioblue, Who’sWho, EarthlyTouch, Quadro, Simplism, Bluesky, eBusiness, eNews, Bold, Glow, Lumin, Deviant, OnTheGo

Featured Articles Display

With the featured articles display you can choose to feature your favorite posts in a prominent space on the homepage. There are several customization options as well.

Themes With This Feature: PureType, Coldstone, Lightsource, eGamer, eVid, Cion, eGallery, GrungeMag, Influx, Studioblue, Who’sWho, EarthlyTouch, Quadro, Simplism, eNews, Bold

Three Unique Post Layouts

Coldstone contains three unique post layouts. The default (Business), as well as Blog-style (which displays full-length posts) and Magazine-style.

Themes With This Feature: Coldstone

Three Widget Ready Areas

Coldstone also contains three widget-ready areas. The Business-style homepage has it’s own unique sidebar, and the footer is also widget ready.

Themes With This Feature: Coldstone

Lifestream Integration

Want the best lifestream wordpress theme? A lifestream is a great way to connect your blog with your other social media outlets, and Lightsource is the theme you want! Several color options.

Themes With This Feature: Lightsource

Author Rating System

eGamer allows you to assign ratings to each post you make. These ratings appear on the post page in a 0-5 star format. Your search for the best wordpress rating theme is over!

Themes With This Feature: eGamer

Video Integration

When you make a post you can choose to embed a video from video websites such as yahoo and others. This is a top rated video wordpress theme for all you vloggers.

Themes With This Feature: eGamer, eVid

Custom Video Interface

Videos are embedded into a unique javascript-power interface with various blogger-friendly features including easy social bookmarking, video rating, sharing, linking, backlighting and more.

Themes With This Feature: eVid

About Me Section

Cion is geared towards more personal-style blogs. For this reason, there’s an included “about me” section on the homepage which can be altered from within the theme’s options menu.

Themes With This Feature: Cion

Post Ratings Integration

Built to be with compatible with wp post ratings (a rating plugin for wordpress), ratings are displayed on post pages, as well as within a javascript powered interface on all index pages.

Themes With This Feature: eGallery

Unique Gallery Display Format

eGallery has been customized to transform your blog into a gallery. Posts are displayed in a gallery-format inside a design that was built to draw focus to images rather than text.

Themes With This Feature: eGallery

Built-In Lightbox

eGallery also comes with a built-in lightweight lightbox for all gallery images. Thumbnails on post-pages can be clicked to reveal a lightbox enhanced full view of the source image.

Themes With This Feature: eGallery

Integrated Blog Section

Interested in using your website as a true “website” with an added blog section? You can do this with ePhoto (and other WordPress Themes from Elegant Themes).

Themes With This Feature: ePhoto

Gallery Layout Display

Create a separate gallery section on your site with this Gallery Layout Display from Elegant Themes. Currently Lumin is the only theme that supports this feature, but I am sure it will be integrated into future themes (note: other themes have a featured section, this is more specific to showcasing a profile or artwork).

Themes With This Feature: Lumin

Complete Localization

Using the theme’s MO and PO files, you can quickly translate the design without having to hunt through the theme’s PHP files to change each word.

Themes With This Feature: Virtually all of them

 

Elegant Themes Review Final Thoughts

OK, if you made it this far, you know what you need to do. ElegantThemes is the best deal in premium wordpress themes hands down! No other wordpress source has so many high quality, highly customizable premium wordpress themes for such a ridiculously low price.

I’ve been a proud member for almost a year and couldn’t be happier with what I’ve received for 20 bucks! If you’re serious about finding the best looking premium wordpress themes (at a truly unbelievable price), give Nick Roach’s Elegant Themes a try. You’ll be glad you did!

Note: If you are the owner of a site we listed in the Elegant Theme Showcase and would like us to link directly to a certain page of your site, please feel free to contact us, and we’ll be happy to oblige.

TAGS: WordPress Themes