Like many of you I spend a large portion of my life online. I’m a blogging addict, run many websites, pay my bills online and even do my shopping on the net. I’d date there if I wasn’t already married, sorry ladies, twenty five years! ;o)
Out of the hundreds of products and thousands of dollars I’ve spent over the years every once in a blue moon I find a product worth writing about. That’s exactly what I found when I dropped almost a hundred dollars for the WordPress Dream Theme by Ben Cope back in March.
The Extreme Ezine is well into it’s sixth year and it is by far my most prized site. It means a lot to me so when I decided to convert it to blog format I wanted the best. I spent a lot of time searching and looking for a WordPress blog theme trying to find the one best suited for my needs and worthy of my pride and joy. I’m being very serious when I say price was not an issue. I’m not loaded with money but I was perfectly willing to spend several hundred dollars if that’s what it took for the perfect match.
When I came across Ben’s WordPress Dream Theme I knew I had a serious candidate. The WordPress Dream Theme had everything I was looking for. It’s widget-enabled, beautiful layout with thumbnail images and even had a featured post section. Ben has added built-in banner and ad areas and as an extra bonus he even added an area for feeds from other sites.
The WordPress Dream Theme is very easily customized. I have very little experience with blog themes and I was able to make my blog very appealing and unique.
Here’s what put the WordPress Dream Theme over the top for me. – Availability and reputation! Ben is not hiding from customer contact. On Ben’s website you will find a contact form and phone number. This is important to me. When I needed a little assistance setting up the RSS feeds section I sent an email using Ben’s online form and he answered very quickly. That same day I had the feeds up and running smoothly.
I recently decided to upgrade the theme by adding a rotating featured post section. I emailed Ben asking if it was possible. The next day I had exactly what I was looking for at a very low price. That kind of service is worth writing about.
BTW, Ben does have an affiliate program but that’s not why I’m sharing this story. I just want you to know how happy I am with this purchase. I have not used my affiliate link to prove it!
Tags: Site Reviews
Well said? Great information, keep up the great work!
A couple things…
1. I’m usually more then a little annoyed when I have to plugin an email address just to see price…can you reveal it?
2. It’s a magazine theme right?
3. He needs to update the video…he’s using the old WP admin for demonstration on that page.
4. If I do purchase, I’ll ne asking for your affiliate link.
Dennis Edells last blog post..It’s Contest Time! The *Best Blog Review Contest* Is In Full Effect!
I have seen this wordpress theme in action before. You are right, lovely design. Shame its not free though!!
Hi Dennis, I believe it’s still $97. That’s what it was when I bought it. That’s what I use on my other site http://extremeezine.com/ only it’s a little customized now.
BTW, Ben was kind enough to sponsor my contest next month with a free WordPress Dream Theme for the winner.
Subscribe to the Extreme Ezine Jon http://extremeezine.com/subscribe/ so you know when our contest starts. Maybe you can win it. That’s the them I’m using there: http://extremeezine.com/
Sweet! Lookin’ forward to it.
Speaking of contests…..
Dennis Edells last blog post..$100 First Prize! The *Best Blog Review Contest* Is In Full Effect!
Looks pretty good, but I did my dash when I bought Thesis which I use on my BS site. I wrote about it on my blog and how I was a little disappointed in it. I suppose it is my fault as I built my expectations up.
The plus side is that the development of the them continues and it comes with free upgrades.
Sires last blog post..Can You See The Human Apparition In This Splash Of Water
Hi Sire, That a nice theme but out of the two I like your WassupBlog layout best.
Same here, which is why I’m running it on another blog. No need to waste money. The best thing about the Wassup blog’s theme, Ithaca, is that it came with more inbuilt features and it’s free unless you want to remove the link in the footer.
Sires last blog post..Wassup Blog’s Mean Woman Blues
Good information.A blogs look and feel seems to be more important than the content on the blog when it should be the other way around.Personally, I have found the WP Revolution magazine theme very useful.
Tom At The Home Business Archives last blog post..How To Become More Creative
Hi Tom, You’re right, it’s easy to get caught up in design and looks when content is the most important consideration.
One thing I like about many of the premium WordPress themes is the ability to choose one or more posts and keep them up front and on top. I love the featured post options. It keeps what you are most proud of or feel more important from getting buried too quickly.
I really like the WP Revolution magazine theme too. It was in the top three or four.
I’ve seen this website (from your site of course) and i love how it’s layed out, the featured area and the thumbnails is perfect. too bad it’s not free, but yet it’s yours and looks like it’s going strong. nice to know you’re not scared to spend on something you can build with.
Pheak Tols last blog post..Have You Been Banned or Penalized by Google?
Hi Pheak, It’s one of those purchases that I’m glad I made. Those are hard to come by anymore. I’m glad to see you stop by.
That’s a very nice adaptation of the Dream Theme! I used Dream Theme for a year and only last week switched to Thesis.
I was also disappointed with the early versions of Thesis but they’ve really got their act together now and the latest version is great. Very easy to customise.
Cheers,
Martin.
Martin Maldens last blog post..10 Steps to Success Online
Thanks Martin, The theme you’re using is nice. It’s clean and professional and very easy so navigate. The Extreme Ezine is a little ‘busy’ looking but I’ve cleaned it up a lot.
[...] with each WordPress upgrade. Not long ago I had an issue immediately after I paid to upgrade the WordPress Dream Theme by Ben Cope [See Three Days Of Silence]. Always back up your blog before making theme [...]