Benefits/disadvantages of using the genesis framework

This is an article for web developers.

The benefits of the genesis framework 

The Genesis framework makes it easier to modify the theme using hooks in functions.php or in a dedicated plugin. Since Genesis web developers already posted their code online, we always find an answer to an issue.

On the other hand, when you buy a theme at ThemeForest, the author does not tell you how to modify the theme. So you have to look into the PHP files and understand how it is working. Then, you must create a child theme and a child file that you will modify. If you need to remove the link behind the author of an article in a post, it would be easier using genesis since there are two options for it. Either you use Genesis simple edits plugin or you add a function to function.php. 

No useless CSS effects

Also, Genesis has no unnecessary CSS effects and animations. For those like me who think that CSS effects are counter-productive, a genesis framework is a great option. For some reasons, there are tons of modern themes with a huge number of CSS effects that only make the page heavier for the browser and make jerky scrolling. If you visit the CNN or amazon websites there aren’t any CSS effects. CSS effects are counter-productive because when we buy a website with a CSS effect, we must waste time knowing how to remove the CSS effects.

The Genesis framework and child themes are well-coded and the page load is fast.

The disadvatanges

Genesis has no page builder dedicated to it and it is a big miss. We did some tests. We tried to use WPbakery and Elementor on a genesis child theme and we found that the result wasn’t professional. We understood the themes were not designed to use any page builders.

We did some tests with The number of Genesis child themes are limited. Every year the themes of ThemeForest are better and better. For example, there are numerous themes at ThemeForest that are really compatible with page builders like WPbakery and Elementor. This means that a page builder can be used with all their posts and pages.

Even Genesis child themes require CSS modifications to be ready. If you look at the websites that use a Genesis child theme, you will find that they are heavily customized. Those customizations are not about aesthetic but this is mandatory. For example, in my case, I chose magazine pro to build a website and I had to change the spacing between the text. I had to change the font weight. I had to reduce the spacings in the header to move the content to the top. I don’t see why magazine pro could not be delivered with the right spacings.

There are few Genesis child themes that are available on the market. Many web developers build their own Genesis child themes from scratch using the genesis basic theme. 

I feel like fewer people choose the Genesis framework option because those ThemeForest themes are ready out of the box.