Genesis Framework Review 2021: Is It Still Worth the Hype?

While searching for the best WordPress themes, Genesis Framework has caught your eye.

Great!

WordPress is a flexible CMS, which makes it super easy to choose from thousands of free and paid themes available. Even though there are hundreds of options, you need to choose carefully.

You can’t afford to use a theme for your WordPress website that isn’t lightweight, SEO optimized, and easy to customize.

Another major issue is that many premium WordPress themes charge you yearly, and it’s difficult to pay every year for the theme.

To solve such hassles, here comes Genesis Framework – a well-established player in the WordPress theme industry. Genesis Framework comes at a one-time cost of $59.95, which includes usage on unlimited websites and free future updates.

Genesis Framework is a sub-product of StudioPress, which is well known for producing powerful WordPress themes with decades of experience.

The question is, does Genesis Framework work for every website? To be more precise, is it the right choice for you?

To answer these questions and help you get detailed insights into Genesis Framework, we have created an in-depth Genesis Framework review, which includes all the nitty-gritty details.

What’s more, we have also added a section where we describe how to get (Genesis Framework + StudioPress Premium Themes) for free. There’s no scam here, as WP Engine has acquired StudioPress, and now it’s possible for you to get the premium bundle for FREE.

So let’s dive in.

Genesis Framework Review in a Nutshell

Genesis Framework is the most powerful and popular theme framework for WordPress. In simple words, the Genesis Framework is a WordPress theme that has a basic design and appearance.

Genesis Framework enables you to build stunning, responsive WordPress sites – quickly & easily.

Whether you’re a newbie with no experience or a developer, creating websites with Genesis Framework is simple. What’s more, the Genesis Framework is secure and fully search engine optimized, which takes your WordPress website to a whole new level.

Let me clarify the difference between a framework and a theme. Think of your blog as a car.WordPress acts like the engine, Genesis is the frame and body of the car, and the StudioPress child themes are the paint job.

Genesis Framework is a basic theme; its appearance and design options can be improved by installing the child theme.

The child themes are specifically built for the Genesis Framework, and these can be used alongside Genesis. Also, Genesis Framework is open source, which means anyone can create child themes with it. Many developers are making a living by creating a commercial child theme for the framework.

Once you activate Genesis Framework on your WordPress website, you’ll have the ability to choose from a large selection of high-quality WordPress themes that have been specifically built for the framework.

In this review, we’ll take an in-depth look into the Genesis Framework, including all nitty-gritty details. Also, we’ll cover its key features, pricing, customer support, and more..

We also have included a section that explains how to get the Genesis Framework, along with other themes, for free. Recently, StudioPress, the main brand behind Genesis Framework, was purchased by WP Engine.

Let’s move to other sections of this review.

Genesis Framework Features & Benefits

The best part about the Genesis Framework is that it is loaded with a pile of superb features and benefits.

The features we’re about to list here will help you understand why Genesis Framework is unbeatable when it comes to themes and WordPress frameworks.

Genesis Framework mainly provides a secure and SEO-optimized base for you to design a fast, stunning, and responsive website.

Additionally, it provides you with full control over customization options, and it provides numerous child themes that could potentially help to build your website.

So let’s have a look at some of the features & benefits of the Genesis Framework.

Search Engine Optimized

Everyone, including you and me, put a lot into our websites, so we want to make sure our website is fast, has a great user experience, and ranks highly on search engines so that we can get more exposure and traffic.

Genesis Framework is fully SEO optimized; it has a clean and optimized code and smart design architecture, which enables your website to perform better on search engines.

Additionally, Genesis also supports Schema.org codes, which take your website SEO to the next level. Also, the Genesis Framework has always handled the basics of SEO as they have lightweight and specific codes to enhance SERP performance.

The codes generated by the themes are also fast and efficient, which results in fast loading pages, which is one of many ranking factors. All-in-all, choosing Genesis provides you the advantage of having an SEO optimized and fast-loading website.

Frequent & Steady Theme Updates

update your site instantly with genesis framework

WordPress users sometimes experience unwelcome design changes when a new update of their theme is installed. An update of a WordPress theme comes out, fixing various bugs and errors, or maybe just adding new features.

You install it, but when you visit your WordPress website/blog after updating the theme, you suddenly see all the customizations you have made vanish, as the update changes the design.

With the Genesis Framework, you need not worry about these updates and customization options. By default, all the customizations are made in the Genesis child themes, rather than on the main framework.

Also, StudioPress makes updating WordPress and Genesis Framework a snap. Everything is integrated and automated, so every time you update your theme, you don’t need to call your developer. All you need to do is click the update button, and you’re done.

State of the Art – Airtight Security

Due to the lack of OS security on themes, WordPress sites can be vulnerable to those who perform cyber-attacks and malicious actions. Nobody wants to get their site hacked, because it’s your business that you built from the ground up, and no one wants to see everything they’ve created vanish.

StudioPress brings security experts and core WordPress developer Mark Jaquith to ensure that Genesis Framework has the best security possible. With the help of Mark’s guidance, they have built the framework to follow all the WordPress security best practices.

Unlimited Everything

With the Genesis Framework, you’ll get one year of unlimited updates and unlimited websites. There are no developer options there; the affordable pricing of Genesis Framework gives you unlimited support for one year, updates, and domains you can build websites on.

If you have multiple websites or client projects, Genesis Framework actually offers unparalleled value.

Also, when you have any questions about the themes or updates, Genesis has product experts who provide solutions and help you in every situation.

The Customization Options of Genesis Framework

Customization options available with Genesis Framework are simple and straightforward. Genesis makes site customization easy without sacrificing the speed of your website.

Genesis comes with customization options, which makes it super easy to set up your website exactly the way you want. Even if you want to create new sections and functions, you’re just a few clicks away. The best part is that unlike other frameworks, you don’t have to sacrifice performance for options.

Let’s check out the various customization options that come with the Genesis Framework.

Widget Ready

Genesis Framework is entirely widget ready; WordPress widgets are an easy way to add powerful functionality to your website. With widget options, you can easily add sidebars, social media sharing buttons, opt-in forms, and so much more.

Theme Options

Genesis Framework comes with powerful theme options, making it super easy to create websites on the go. With the various theme options available, you can change your website layout, or choose an alternative color scheme.

All theme options and other customization options can be easily selected from a dropdown box. Also, making changes with Genesis is easy, and your WordPress website will get updated instantly.

Page Templates

Genesis Framework also comes with stunning and fully-customizable page templates to help you get started creating websites on the go. There are various templates available to choose from, such as pricing page templates and landing page templates.

Also, each template you choose is fully customizable, meaning you can easily customize all the aspects of the template to help make the design the way you want.

Advertising Ready

Most of the themes that come with the Genesis Framework are ready for advertising. With the advertising-ready modules, it is super easy for you to insert your advertising codes, such as Google AdSense, Clicksor, and others. You can insert the advertising codes right into a text widget and start collecting your advertising revenue.

One-click Demo Install

No matter whether you’re building your own theme or just installing a new theme, Genesis Framework comes with a one-click demo install, which enables you to check the live demo of any theme.

Once the theme demo is installed, websites can quickly load demo content and plugins and check the designed Gutenberg blocks on the homepage of a new website. With the Genesis Framework, you have the liberty to check the demo of any theme before installing it on your website.

Related reading: How to install a WordPress plugin

How Much Does Genesis Framework Cost?

The pricing plan of the Genesis Framework is flexible and affordable.

Genesis Framework comes with different pricing options that are suited to different types of experience. Let’s explore the pricing plans offered by Genesis Framework:

Genesis Framework Only

This plan is best suited to those web designers and developers who are already familiar with the framework. The Genesis Framework costs a $59 one-time fee; this plan permits use of Genesis Framework on unlimited websites.

With this plan, the developer can quickly develop themes for themselves or their clients using the Genesis Framework. This plan includes:

Instant access
Unlimited updates
Unlimited support
One-time fee only
Useable on unlimited websites
Access to detailed tutorials

Note: This plan only includes Genesis Framework access; you’ll not be getting any StudioPress themes to build your website.

The Pro Plus Package

The Pro Plus Packages includes access to all the premium themes available at StudioPress. The Pro Plus Packages is a one-time cost of $499.95.

With the purchase of the pro package, you will receive instant access and unlimited support for all the themes in StudioPress for one year.

After one year, you’ll be getting ongoing access and updates for your themes at no additional cost.

As a bonus, the Pro Plus Package also includes additional themes from 3rd-party developers.

Child Theme Access

The Child Theme option is for those who want to use the existing Child Themes available on StudioPress, which have been created with the Genesis Framework.

This option is best suited for those who don’t want to write code while building websites. This option is available where the pricing starts at $99.95 and goes up to $129; it depends on the individual child theme you’re purchasing.

If you’re a beginner and don’t want to write code, just buy Genesis Framework and then buy a Child Theme from StudioPress and start building WordPress websites with ease.

Alternative reading: How to use the Elementor theme builder

Genesis Framework Customer Support

The support you’ll be getting with Genesis Framework is in the form of community support. As a StudioPress user, you can get help from the public support form hosted on the StudioPress website.

Once you post your question in the public support forum, you will receive responses from staff and community members. Additionally, you can also open a ticket to contact the StudioPress support team directly.

What’s more, it also has a huge documentation section that is fully loaded with tutorials and in-depth guides. Specifically, they have a beginner’s guide to Genesis, plenty of online tutorials, FAQs, and many other resources that are created to help you.

The best part is that any child theme you buy with StudioPress includes detailed instructions and a guide to help you set up your website with ease.

Who is Genesis Framework Best Suited to?

Genesis Framework can potentially help two main types of WordPress users:

Those who want to build a stunning WordPress website with ease, without knowing how to code.
Developers seeking a platform to build custom themes for themselves or their clients.

The first type of WordPress user is those who are WordPress beginners and don’t have a design background or knowledge. Genesis Framework works like a charm with child themes, and it’s also backed with supported and documented WordPress themes, which can help create a professional website in a few clicks.

The second type of WordPress user who Genesis Framework is best suited to is looking to build a solid platform to build themes for themselves or their clients.

Genesis saves a lot of time for developers; by using the framework, you can easily design ideas.

Also, StudioPress empowers a large development community that has built from the ground up around Genesis, which can potentially help developers find codes, tutorials, tips, snippets, etc.

As of now, you have an idea of whom Genesis Framework is best suited to. It’s the best way to create a professional-looking website for WordPress beginners. Developers can use the Genesis Framework to develop themes on the go.

How to Get Genesis Framework for Free?

If you’re looking to get Genesis Framework for free, you’re in the right spot.

You can get Genesis Framework & StudioPress themes for FREE when you get started with WP Engine.

Yes, the only way to get it free is to sign up for a WP Engine plan easily. Once you register a plan, you’ll get Genesis Framework and 35+ StudioPress themes for free, which is valued at over $2000.

WP Engine is a pioneer WordPress-managed web hosting provider, so if you are planning to start a WordPress website, give it a try and get the whole bundle for free.

WP Engine is offering it for free because WP Engine acquired StudioPress back in 2018, and since then, they have offered the Genesis Framework and StudioPress theme bundle free with WP Engines’ web hosting to provide everything you need for a great WordPress user experience.

If you have already hosted your domain with other web-hosting providers, you can migrate or switch your hosting to WP Engine and get access to the StudioPress themes + Genesis Framework for free.

The best part is that the WP Engine hosting plan starts at $25, which includes two months of free hosting if you choose the annual plan.

Pros & Cons of Genesis Framework

Pros of Genesis Framework

Lightweight and fast
Gutenberg ready
Reliable and secure themes
Affordable, one-time payment options
Simple layout and easily configurable settings
Genesis Framework is SEO Optimized
Lifetime membership and no annual fee, forever
High-quality, robust and premium themes framework
Simple customization options with customizer live preview
Provides a wide range of StudioPress and third-party child themes
Offers reliable tech support – forums, blogs, documentation, community

Cons of Genesis Framework

It doesn’t have any built-in social sharing buttons
Genesis Framework is usable on unlimited websites, while the Child Themes can’t be used on multiple websites

Genesis Framework Review Conclusion

So, this our detailed Genesis Framework review, which includes all the nitty-gritty details about Genesis Framework. We hope you find value reading our review, and it `helps you get better insights into it.

Whether you’re a developer or newbie looking to build a WordPress website, Genesis Framework will be an excellent choice. What’s more, the Child Theme offered by StudioPress also makes it super easy to craft professional websites without any hassles.

At the time of writing this review, 203,945 website owners put their trust in StudioPress and Genesis Framework.

What’s more, the Genesis Framework is affordable and comes with incredible built-in features, such as SEO-friendly design, easily customizable elements, fully-responsive across devices, excellent customer support, and so on.

Have you tried the Genesis Framework before? What’s your experience with it?

Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments section below.

Other Genesis Framework Articles:

Genesis Framework Review 2021: Is It Still the Top Theme Framework?

Genesis Framework Review in a Nutshell