Have you been told \u201cYou could sell these!\u201d when you show off your custom WordPress themes and plugins? While this is flattering, figuring out how to get started in the premium WordPress theme and plugin business might seem too complicated for what could be an uncertain payoff.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Fortunately, there are plenty of theme and plugin marketplaces that exist for entrepreneurial programmers like yourself. There are many ways to develop and launch your theme and plugin business. Plus, designing for WordPress can be very rewarding<\/a>, even if it requires a bit of guidance when you\u2019re just starting out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In this article, we\u2019ll take a look at how and where to sell your premium WordPress themes and plugins, and also delve into why this might be a great outlet for your programming skills. Let\u2019s get down to business!<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you\u2019ve worked with WordPress for any length of time, you\u2019ll likely understand the need for plugins and the appeal of building with beautiful, custom themes. One of the best parts of building a website in WordPress is knowing you can use all of these tools to create a truly unique showcase for your brand on the web.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For theme and plugin developers, this also means there\u2019s a huge potential market out there for your work. WordPress is a truly international product, used by companies<\/a> and organizations both large and small.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The marketplace for themes and plugins is<\/em> competitive. However, the barriers to entry are low, and there are lots of places where you can showcase your products (we\u2019ll introduce several options later in this post).<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you are trying to decide whether to focus on developing themes or plugins, there is some research that points to<\/a> the theme market being larger. With that in mind, let\u2019s look at the eight steps you\u2019ll need to take to get your themes ready for the market.<\/p>\n\n\n\n One of the best ways to stand out in the crowded theme marketplace is to focus on a particular niche. Niche themes are designed<\/a> to serve a very specific need. After all, the needs of a podcaster are likely to be quite different than those of a \u2018mompreneur\u2019 selling handmade soaps.<\/p>\n\n\n\n One way to find a niche that may have room for new themes is to use a tool like Google Trends to understand what people are searching for:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Once you identify a likely niche, you can outline your theme design based on the needs of that audience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Designing primarily for mobile devices is an important trend<\/a>, for many reasons. One significant advantage of this approach is that you only have to design one version of a project that will work on many platforms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n To do this, you\u2019ll need to pay attention to responsive design principles<\/a> when designing your theme. This means considering elements such as fonts, image sizes, menus, and more, opting for styles that will serve mobile users more effectively. There are many resources available for information on responsive design, and you can even get some help by installing a dedicated plugin<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As a theme developer, you are more likely to encounter success and repeat customers if you know and understand WordPress\u2019 Coding Best Practices<\/a>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n WordPress\u2019 developers go to great lengths to keep everyone on the same page in this regard. The code handbook covers CSS, PHP, JavaScript, and HTML as they apply to the WordPress framework. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Following best practices<\/a> in your development process will also go a long way towards ensuring that your new theme is well-documented and functional. This is a win for everyone involved, and helps you build loyalty and trust as a developer trying to sell themes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n WordPress subscribes to a specific theme template hierarchy<\/a>, which structures how templates are named and applied to posts and pages. You\u2019ll want to make sure you have the right templates included in your theme, so that users have some level of customization and control. <\/p>\n\n\n\n This means users will be able to choose what theme templates to apply to different types of posts or pages. If your theme has some special bells and whistles, you\u2019ll want to make sure to include them in your custom templates where relevant, but tread lightly and beware of theme bloat<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Theme Options page <\/a>is where users will get to dig in and customize parts of your theme. Without it, users would have to delve into the CSS or PHP coding themselves. Therefore, it\u2019s important to make this page clean, organized, and easy to use.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Being able to click through settings without having to understand CSS is a major reason people pay for a premium theme. Therefore, making sure they can navigate the Theme Options page is key to building a strong reputation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n WordPress has specific recommendations and requirements<\/a> when it comes to theme documentation. Familiarizing yourself with these will help when it comes time to submit your theme to WordPress<\/a>. Having your theme available through the WordPress theme finder can be a significant benefit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Your documentation should outline the limitations of the theme, and explain any out-of-the-ordinary installation or setup considerations. It should also document your theme\u2019s code, in case another developer wants to make customizations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You\u2019ve made it through the gauntlet of the previous six steps\u2014now it\u2019s time to pick the theme marketplace that best suits your needs. For many developers, the WordPress.org<\/em> directory <\/a>remains the best free marketplace choice out there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you decide to go with another option, just keep in mind what goals you have<\/a> for your theme, what marketing will work for you, and how much you\u2019re willing to pay in fees. We\u2019ll cover many of the marketplace options in further detail below.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Finally, it\u2019s time to put a price tag on your work of art and (hopefully) watch the money roll in. Market data suggests there’s a sweet spot around $59 for premium themes<\/a>. There is, however, flexibility to put niche themes at a higher price point.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you\u2019re planning to be prolific with your theme and plugin creation, you could investigate marketing a theme club or subscription service. Regardless of how and where you sell your products, though, it\u2019s wise to understand the theme market<\/a> and how consumers will be shopping.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Now that you\u2019re ready to sell your themes, let\u2019s take a look at the options for marketing your work. Here are seven top WordPress theme marketplaces, and a rundown on what each has to offer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Creative Market<\/a> focuses on providing people of all skill levels with a place to sell their work. This includes not only WordPress themes but also photos, fonts, graphic design, and more. It boasts a network of over 10 million members<\/a>, which is a huge potential audience for your themes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n One of the perks of Creative Market is its flexibility. You won\u2019t be locked into just this one marketplace, since you\u2019ll retain the rights to sell your product on your own site or elsewhere. You\u2019ll also see 70% of your themes\u2019 profits, and are free to price them as you choose.<\/p>\n\n\n\n ThemeForest<\/a> also offers some choice in terms of exclusivity and profit. This marketplace is powered by Envato<\/a> and draws a lot of traffic, which is a good thing. However, you\u2019ll have to decide if you want to give over exclusive sale rights<\/a> to ThemeForest for a smaller fee.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The difference is significant. Non-exclusive sales fees can be upwards of 55%. If you choose to be an exclusive seller with Envato, the more you sell, the smaller the fees become. This marketplace does have some wild success stories<\/a>, and can be a good place to get your first big win.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Codester<\/a> is a straightforward marketplace that might be better for plugins, but also offers a home for themes and other digital products. The best part about Codester is the standard, across-the-board 70% profit share for everyone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There are no exclusivity requirements, and you don\u2019t have to be a veteran seller to reap that reward. Codester does have a review process for submissions, but it boasts a very simple and less intimidating get started<\/a> page than most marketplaces.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When you choose TemplateMonster<\/a> as an exclusive seller, you will take in 70% of your sales<\/a>. If you decide to play the odds and keep your options open by selling your products on more than one platform, on the other hand, you\u2019ll take in 40%.<\/p>\n\n\n\n While their non-exclusive profit percentage is similar to most marketplaces, TemplateMonster offers a lot of support for both customers and designers. Programmers can also choose their pricing within a suggested range.<\/p>\n\n\n\n MOJO Marketplace<\/a> boasts a whopping 5.8 billion users<\/a>. And while Mojo Marketplace does set its own pricing on themes<\/a>, you can bring in a flat 50% of sales for non-exclusive items, or take advantage of an increasing scale on exclusive items. As an exclusive seller on MOJO Marketplace, the more you sell the more you make.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The other advantage<\/a> to MOJO is the access you get to its partners. This marketplace is connected to several WordPress hosting<\/a> services, and provides customers with immediate access to their themes during host setup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n CSSIgniter<\/a> offers a lot of options for its customers, including theme clubs. This translates into some great payouts for theme developers. As a developer you can take home 50% of each sale, but you also have other perks<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If theme users (you refer) decide to renew a subscription, for example, you get a commission. It\u2019s worth noting, however, that you need to bank a minimum of $100 a month in order for them to release payment to you via PayPal. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Placing a theme in the WordPress Theme Directory<\/a> offers great value. It gives you access to a huge audience, and can be a great way to get started. Many users choose this as their first location when searching for a new theme.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As this is a free directory, you\u2019ll need to include a “lite” version of your theme here. Then you can direct customers to the full premium version, which you\u2019ll need to host elsewhere. This may be a little more complicated, but it lets potential customers try out your theme with no risk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There\u2019s no one right answer when deciding which marketplace is right for your themes. You\u2019ll need to take into consideration whether you want to be an exclusive seller in a given marketplace, or if you want to retain the ability to sell your products elsewhere.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Another consideration is if you\u2019re willing to program a free, basic version of your theme. This will enable you to offer your free version on certain marketplaces, and gain the trust of customers as they get to know your products \u2013 an investment that can really pay off.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It might seem like a jungle out there in the theme marketplace. Fortunately, there are many ways to kick off your premium WordPress theme or plugin business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n However, you won\u2019t want to go it alone. WP Engine offers plenty of developer resources<\/a>, and can help you create an incredible digital experience for your customers by creating premium themes with the Genesis Framework<\/a>. Our plans<\/a> provide a lot of options, so there\u2019s no doubt you\u2019ll find something that fits! Plus, the Genesis Framework and Genesis-built themes are included for free.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Have you been told \u201cYou could sell these!\u201d when you show off your custom WordPress themes and plugins? While this is flattering, figuring out how to get started in the premium WordPress theme and plugin business might seem too complicated for what could be an uncertain payoff. Fortunately, there are plenty of theme and plugin…<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":145874,"template":"","resource-topic":[908,904,901],"resource-role":[896,906,897],"resource-type":[916],"class_list":["post-89051","resource","type-resource","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"yoast_head":"\nWhy Sell WordPress Themes & Plugins?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
How to Sell WordPress Themes<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Step 1: Choose a Niche and Design Your WordPress Theme<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Step 2: Develop Your WordPress Theme Using Responsive Design Principles<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Step 3: Follow the WordPress Coding Best Practices<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Step 4: Include Appropriate WordPress Theme Templates<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Step 5: Create a User-Friendly WordPress Theme Options Page<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Step 6: Create Clear WordPress Theme Documentation<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Step 7: Choose a Marketplace to Sell Your WordPress Theme<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Step 8: Price Your WordPress Theme and Start Selling<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Where to Sell WordPress Themes<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
1. Creative Market: A Wide Network for Selling WordPress Themes<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
2. ThemeForest: Sell Your WordPress Theme Exclusively<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
3. Codester: Sell Your WordPress Theme for Higher Profit<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
4. TemplateMonster: Sell WordPress Themes With Expert Support<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
5. MOJO Marketplace: Grow WordPress Theme Sales<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
6. CSSIgniter: Sell WordPress Themes With Theme Clubs<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
7. WordPress Theme Directory: Sell Your WordPress Theme in Front of a Massive Audience<\/a> <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Which Marketplace Should You Use to Sell WordPress Themes?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Learn More About Selling WordPress Themes With WP Engine<\/h2>\n\n\n\n