Why the Headway Premium WordPress Theme Kicks Ass

When it comes to the Headway premium WordPress theme, there’s no question I’m incredibly biased about what it can do for bloggers.

I’ve written about it more than once on here, and I use it on the three sites I’ve created so far, with more to be shared soon. In fact, it’s the only product that I’ve fallen in love with so much that I’ve signed up as an affiliate. So yes, when it comes to premium WordPress themes, Headway stands head and shoulders above everything else (at least I think so).

Yet as much as I recommend the theme, it’s still only words (and obviously the design of this blog, the 12for12k site and Just Kickin’ It) that tell you some of the cool stuff Headway can do. Sure, I can say it’s easy to use and it really does make your life a hell of a lot easier when it comes to designing your blog/website. But words only tell half the story.

Which is why this video from David Wang is perfect. In less than ten minutes, he takes the standard Headway theme layout and transforms it into a great-looking business site. Sure, it’s just the home page and you still need to add all your other pages and posts. But as an example of just how quickly you can begin to build your blog/site, under ten minutes is pretty damn impressive! Have a look for yourself.

Now that you’ve seen how simple it is to make the Headway theme sing on WordPress, what else does it have in store for you? Currently version 1.6 is in beta, and I’ve been messing around with it behind closed doors. Some of the cool features include:

  • Live CSS editor. While the theme allows you to make a great website with absolutely no coding needed, it also allows you to get as down and dirty as you like with coding. The new live CSS box means you can drop CSS code in and see the changes take place right in front of your eyes – no saving and checking to see how it looks.
  • Skins and Templates. When Headway first hit the premium WordPress theme market, one of the things it promised was the option for skins. This is where you can upload a specially developed skin that changes the look of your blog completely (if you don’t want to design your look yourself). This is now live with Headway 1.6 and you can access them from within the dashboard or from dedicated theme stores.
  • Default Leaf set. Headway uses a system called Leafs, which is basically your content body and sidebars (albeit in a far cooler, interactive way). While you can use any mix of set-up for your blog, with a different sidebar on every page, Headway 1.6 allows the option of a standard leaf throughout your site. Perfect if you don’t want any extra work when designing your blog.
  • Automatic SEO slug clean-up. This is a great new feature that cleans up your search engine visibility by removing words like “the” and “and”, etc, that Google doesn’t really bother with. You can switch this on and off in the SEO area of Headway.

These are just some of the features that the guys behind the Headway theme will be bringing to you soon. The beta is almost ready to go live, and will be available as a free upgrade for existing users and available for purchase to new users imminently.

Watching the new features that developer Clay Griffiths puts out in each new update is almost like a game in betting on just what he won’t add in each new version – it’s that crazy how much he gives WordPress bloggers. And the support is second-to-none as well.

If you’re looking for a new premium WordPress theme, Headway delivers in spades. And as a special promotion, any purchases of the theme via this blog in March will see all affiliate earnings go to the current 12for12k charity.

So, the best premium WordPress theme around and all Headway sales going to charity – what better time to upgrade your blog? Just click on the image to the right to get your copy.

  • Update: The Headway Developer License now allows you unlimited use of the theme with no need for additional license costs – a huge advantage over other premium themes.
        
25 Responses to Why the Headway Premium WordPress Theme Kicks Ass
  1. darryl
    March 8, 2010 | 12:24 am

    Thanks Danny, for again providing your insight into ways to make a bloggers life better and for effective. Appreciated, my man.
    darryl´s most recent blog post …Extreme Commuting

  2. David Wang
    Twitter:
    March 8, 2010 | 2:46 am

    Hi Danny! Thanks for featuring my video. I’m writing a full review myself. Btw, I think you made a mistake with my Twitter ID in the post.

  3. Julie Walraven | Resume Services
    Twitter:
    March 8, 2010 | 8:40 am

    Danny, as you know, I am a new happy Headway camper and I am looking forward to upgrades and redesigns in the future.
    Julie Walraven | Resume Services´s most recent blog post …And the Thank you goes to Kim!

  4. Matt Cheuvront
    March 8, 2010 | 8:48 am

    Great write up Danny. Admittedly, I need to invest some serious time into Headway – I have tooled around with it and do agree it’s probably the most user-friendly interface out there with the live editor and drag-and-drop interface, but as we’ve discussed, I’m a big proponent of Thesis (if for no other reason that I know it like the back of my hand). One of these days I am going to give Headway the real opportunity it deserves – and I’ll no doubt come to you with questions. Have a great week!

    • Danny
      March 8, 2010 | 9:03 am

      Hey there mate,

      Thesis is definitely one of the best themes around (after Headway, of course)… ;-)

      It’s great to see the WordPress framework area so well served, and with the likes of StudioPress as well, it’s never been a better time to be a WordPress blogger.

      Love to see what you can come up with using Headway – make sure you holler out any design(s).

      Cheers!

  5. Michelle Mangen
    Twitter:
    March 8, 2010 | 9:25 am

    Danny – perfect time for me to see this post as I’ve been contemplating getting Headway for the next site that I do.

    I’ve gotten pretty comfortable with Thesis and have been told that if I like how easy Thesis is I will love Headway. I want to do some reading on their developer’s package before I buy but I will certainly purchase it through your link above.

    Michelle
    Michelle Mangen´s most recent blog post …5 Easy To Implement Tips That Will Help You Gain Control Over Email

    • Danny
      March 8, 2010 | 9:29 am

      Hi Michelle,

      Glad you enjoyed – I think David’s video is perfect for really showing the simplicity of Headway.

      One of the things that I think you’ll like about Headway’s developer license is that you can use it on as many sites as you want, both your own and those of clients you develop for. No more client license fee add-ons – a definite advantage for the Headway team. :)

      Look forward to seeing what you come up with!

  6. Ted Payne
    Twitter:
    March 8, 2010 | 10:06 am

    I am also a huge headway fan. I am excited for 1.6 to go live – the live CSS box you talked about above sounds great!

    And there is no more licensing fees? Is this new? I haven’t logged into the support forum for ages so I had no idea. (probably a good sign since headway has been running completely smooth)
    Ted Payne´s most recent blog post …Guru In Coma | Gangstarr’s Guru Heart Attack

    • Danny
      March 8, 2010 | 10:08 am

      Hi Ted,

      Yep, the announcement was made just recently (though I believe the copy on the Headway site still reads the old license – something to update before launch, I think). :)

      And you will LOVE the live CSS editor – it’s what gave me the courage to play with CSS for the first time :)

  7. Frank Dickinson
    Twitter:
    March 8, 2010 | 8:22 pm

    Great write up Danny. Headway is amazing now – so user-friendly.

    Can’t wait for 1.6!
    Frank Dickinson´s most recent blog post …Article Marketing Tools – Gist It! Bookmarklet

  8. Thesis Theme Design
    March 10, 2010 | 1:53 am

    After reading your post it seems to me that the “Headway Themes” can be a great options for the blogger to choose about.

    However; i haven’t yet buy it. But i should experiment with “Headway i think”.
    Thesis Theme Design´s most recent blog post …How to optimize SEO with Thesis built in Theme Options {video}

  9. Internet n Computer
    March 10, 2010 | 2:09 am

    It great to know that there is a premium theme exist which is stunning and after some simple customization it can be a great theme.
    Internet n Computer´s most recent blog post …How Can I Test my Microphone on Skype?

  10. Melodee Patterson
    March 15, 2010 | 8:59 am

    What can I say? I love Headway so much I started a company using it to help entrepreneurs get an affordable, custom-designed website! I’m looking forward to playing with 1.6 :-)

    • Danny
      April 27, 2010 | 11:14 am

      Hey there Melodee, have you had a chance to play with the new version yet? Very swish! :)

      • Melodee Patterson
        April 27, 2010 | 12:17 pm

        Yes, Danny – I’m building a couple of websites with it now. It’s amazing! The visual editor is much faster and I need even less custom css.

        That Clay is a genius…

  11. Joe
    March 18, 2010 | 5:49 am

    yes, headway theme rocks! I will download the updated version soon!
    Joe´s most recent blog post …Headway Theme 1.6 Download

  12. Naom@PeiProfit
    April 27, 2010 | 2:08 am

    Hi Danny,
    I am with you on loving Headway. For the first time, it let me create the look I wanted in WP. I made a video of me messing around with some of the options in Headway, which really shows some of the cool stuff that it can do. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7BAD-oPRI4k
    Naom@PeiProfit´s most recent blog post …My BEST Domain Registrar – Minus Affiliate Links

    • Danny
      April 27, 2010 | 11:28 am

      That’s one of the things I love about it, Naom – everyone can make their site look as unique as their character, without the need for coding. And if you do code… well, the sky’s the limit :)

  13. Jon Buscall
    Twitter:
    July 14, 2010 | 5:23 pm

    @Danny,
    I finally bit the bullet and gave Headway a try. Totally awesome! I should have trusted you earlier :)

    Hope you’re doing okay, mate.
    Jon Buscall´s most recent blog post …3 Questions We Couldn’t Answer Before- But Can Now

  14. Vince Robisch
    Twitter:
    August 31, 2010 | 3:40 pm

    Danny,

    I love the Bonsai Interactive site. Did they use a skin for their design?

    thanks,

    Vince
    Vince Robisch´s most recent blog post …6 Valuable Blog Posts This Week

    • Danny
      August 31, 2010 | 4:28 pm

      Hey there Vince,

      Thanks fella. No skins – I built it using the current version of Headway (1.6.6) with some custom CSS and Photoshop :)

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