WordPress.com

1. hickokcole
   Member
   Jan 2, 2013, 6:26 PM

   We are trying to decide between using wordpress.com for a professional site or hiring a designer/developer to build the site for us.

   Using the professional upgrade for wordpress.com, we would be able to have a lot of control, security, flexibility, integration and room for growth. WordPress.com is robust enough to do pretty much everything we'd like to do, however, we have some design questions.

   1. With the business upgrade, how much control do we have? For example, in the Oxygen Template, we like the sticky posts that show on the showcase page, however, we'd like the headlines removed so that they do not disrupt the images. Can these be removed or is that just part of the template design?

   2. Will WordPress.com have templates in the near future that feature full screen images similar to so many web sites that are out there these days? Is that HTML5?

   We really think using wordpress could be a great solution.

   Thanks.

   The blog I need help with is hickokcole.wordpress.com.

2. timethief
   Member
   Jan 2, 2013, 6:28 PM

   This thread will be moved to the Themes Forum where Themes Staff will reply to your questions.

3. timethief
   Member
   Jan 2, 2013, 6:32 PM

   With the business upgrade, how much control do we have?

   Note this please. No matter which upgrades you purchase in a bundle or individually nothing stated here changes > WordPress.com and WordPress.org: The Differences http://en.support.wordpress.com/com-vs-org/

   You cannot build or use your own custom theme built from scratch at WordPress.com.
   http://en.support.wordpress.com/ftp-access/
   http://en.support.wordpress.com/themes/adding-new-themes/

   The only themes we can use are those found here > Appearance > Themes
   This is a multiuser blogging platform. All blogs wearing the same theme are using the same underlying template and we cannot access the underlying files and edit templates or themes. http://en.support.wordpress.com/themes/editing-themes/

   There are two free themes, Sandbox and Toolbox designed to allow maximum flexibility for CSS editing and creating new “skins”. Toolbox is more modern and includes a lot of support for CSS3 and HTML5, so it is really only limited by your skills and knowledge.

   If you have CSS editing experience the upgrade will allow you to stylize the appearance of themes you find here > Appearance > Themes, but will not allow you to change the functionality, by editing the underlying template. It does not allow you to remove footer links to the theme designer or to WordPress.com. Also note that CSS is theme specific, so you cannot use the CSS stylesheets from other themes with the themes at WordPress.COM. http://en.support.wordpress.com/custom-design/custom-css/

   On one hand, none of the characteristic "blog" features like categories, tags, authors, dates, etc. can be removed from a free hosted WordPress.com blog without purchasing an annually renewable custom design upgrade and doing the required CSS editing.
   http://en.support.wordpress.com/custom-design/
   http://en.support.wordpress.com/custom-design/#frequently-asked-questions
   http://en.support.wordpress.com/custom-design/editing-css/

   On the other hand, one can edit a WordPress.org theme free of charge. That's why I suggested you read this comparison > WordPress.com and WordPress.org: The Differences http://en.support.wordpress.com/com-vs-org/

4. cainm
   Staff
   Jan 6, 2013, 4:44 PM

   Hi there,

   By "professional upgrade", if you're referring to the Bundle Upgrade that includes Custom Design, timethief is essentially spot-on with the description of what is and is not possible using a WordPress.com site and the Custom Design upgrade.

   1. With the business upgrade, how much control do we have? For example, in the Oxygen Template, we like the sticky posts that show on the showcase page, however, we'd like the headlines removed so that they do not disrupt the images. Can these be removed or is that just part of the template design?

   This specific example would be possible using the Custom CSS feature in the Custom Design upgrade. Custom CSS can be previewed without purchasing the upgrade by following the instructions on that page under "I’m not sure if the Custom Design upgrade is for me. Can I try before I buy?".

   2. Will WordPress.com have templates in the near future that feature full screen images similar to so many web sites that are out there these days? Is that HTML5?

   I believe that a few such themes are being considered for future release, but do not have any specifics about when you would see those, and all new themes released on WordPress.com are based on HTML5.

   Please let us know if you have any other questions!

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