I am a huge fan of WordPress and I have several web sites running WordPress themes. When designing a site, I choose the theme very carefully and only after carefully deciding purpose and function. Several years ago as I was preparing to launch this site, I decided on the Get Noticed! theme because of the incredible amount of built-in functionality, and it is easy to get a site up fast without devoting a lot of time to customization. I must say that I have really loved this theme. So why would I want to change?
A few days ago, I received an email from the developer that they would discontinue the sale of this magnificent theme on February 28, 2018. Support will end in the near future. Yikes! No more development now, no more support in the future. As the WordPress structure evolves and new security issues are addressed, this theme will eventually become useless without continued updating and support. But I love this theme! So, what shall I do? The moderately good news is that the theme was updated a year ago, so I can probably count on at least six months without any security issues. So, here are my options:
Pray that another developer will acquire this theme!
Yes, that could happen, and I will be able to count on future development and support. This would be the best solution for me. But is that realistic? Who knows? It could happen. But what if that doesn’t?
Acquire a new theme
Ugh! Who has time for that? I’d rather be writing. But I need a good theme from a solid developer with a strong reputation for updates and support. Aside from that, these are the features I will need to mimic the features of the Get Noticed! theme:
- Integration with Amazon’s affiliate program
- Book recommendations and marketing my own (ok they’re not written…yet)
- Easily customizable with minimal coding. I have enough coding knowledge to be dangerous!
- Certain custom post types. I don’t use nearly all the custom post types in the Get Noticed! theme, but the ones I use are robust and well-developed.
- Fast and SEO friendly. Duh!
So, this is where I am. Unless another developer acquires this theme, then I will have to change themes. I will keep this topic updated through my search.
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