Documentation with Themes/Files

I’ve run into a couple of problems with purchased themes this past couple weeks, and wanted to post this, only because I’m just a bit miffed, and done fighting with themes.

If you include documentation with your theme, then make sure that the instructions for that particular theme are explicit.

If you’re a developer, and can code/hack/manipulate, then you pretty much won’t read the instructions anyhow, so this really isn’t directed at that consumer group.

Once you’ve created your theme, and documentation to be included with that theme. and BEFORE you post it here or there for sale:

Pass it along to one of your friends, preferrably someone that doesn’t develop, and is more of the end user. Have them follow the included instructions to see if there is going to be a problem.

This will allow you, the developer to provide the end user with a much more pleasant experience, which in turn may provide you with additional business.

• Include ALL the Plugins they need to go and get and to use to make the site look or act like the demo they just saw
• Include how to change colours, links, Logo’s, Text
• Include how to implement social networking icons.
(This one is a major one, as almost 60% of the sites here don’t have/include them)
• If you include PSD , Flash, make sure to lay out how to change colour’s text, in them

I think you see where I’m going….make it as easy as possible for someone to implement a site quickly….the end user really doesn’t understand wrapping an img in div tags.

Coders/Developers’ minds don’t work the same as an end user

Oh…if you support your site answer your emailed questions about the site if you don’t? state it in your instructions

Nothing worse than asking a question about a purchased site and how to do something and having to wait around for someone for almost a week to get back to you.

Thank you.

Thanks a lot, and if you need any help / modification on your purchased items please feel free to contact me on Laith99@yahoo.com

Cheers Laith

Good comment, I always add good Help files but found this an interesting read especially as RobbyDesigns are soon to add the first website theme to TF.

Really interesting piece of information for me. Gonna jump in TF after April so definitely will help me create a good help doc.

great post.

Confused with installation and tutorial

Hi, I bought the Photo Nexus theme today. I had been more than 2 hours looking for a tutorial to how install the them and create the album with galleries. Is worse and frustrated when someone buy a theme and cant find the way like instructions with steps.

Is a tip for the sellers

all my best

These are good tips.

I have seen a number of great WP themes that include most of the documentation in the Demo site content. This is great as it shows how data can be displayed but also provides a linkable way to get instructions.

BUT ! Authors need to make sure they say on their description age that all the documentation is there and only there. When you open a theme folder and there is no documentation it is a bit of a shock. It takes some buyers a number of clicks and time waisted to find/remember the docs are all online in the demo.

For the most part, i think the documentation I have seen has been great, and when it wasnt, it was backed up with great support.

More tips for users/new buyers/creators

My steps: I pay by Paypal 27 USD . A email arrived to my inbox after 30 minutes. ì downloaded the folder and installed by myself, without tutorials or any other help because I didn’t it. In the folder not tutorial at least. Only a help guide that don’t help too much. I am starting to think about this Themeforest site that is only for pro developers and not for normal people that doesn’t know too much of comouters and software: discrimination.

After many hours trying to made a gallery, config the page “about”, “contact” etc already I didn’t find the way. My logical and simple knowledge of computers doesn’t allow me to go more beyond.

Waste of time, money lost, discrimination… more??

More tips for users/new buyers/creators

My steps: I pay by Paypal 27 USD . A email arrived to my inbox after 30 minutes. ì downloaded the folder and installed by myself, without tutorials or any other help because I didn’t it. In the folder not tutorial at least. Only a help guide that don’t help too much. I am starting to think about this Themeforest site that is only for pro developers and not for normal people that doesn’t know too much of comouters and software: discrimination.

After many hours trying to made a gallery, config the page “about”, “contact” etc already I didn’t find the way. My logical and simple knowledge of computers doesn’t allow me to go more beyond.

Waste of time, money lost, discrimination… more??

I see your point, but there has to be some assumed level of expertise. If you buy a Wordpress theme, then it should be assumed that you know what WP is and have used it, otherwise you wouldnt want to be upgrading the theme for example.

As with any template, you have to know some HTML and CSS , if you dont know the basics you will realise very quickly why these guys/gals make a good living out of it.

The instruction should only be there to help you get the theme loaded and looking like the demo (with your own content). Any customisation needs to be taken on our own back.

I realise that in your case you have taken it as far as you can go, and I would suggest keep trying to contact the author and get some help.

@Godonholiday, This is a way to deceive people. I am trying to made a gallery and I can´t find how. A waste of time.