This is the D5 Business Line Theme Options page, with a bunch of featured boxes options, social links and much more. I don’t find it as overwhelming as the others, but I think it could definitely benefit from cutting down many (all?) of those options and using the Settings API interface. The pro version gives you Custom CSS, Google Analytics and a bunch of other things.

I do like their approach to donations, however, I do not have any info about whether that’s true or not.

All the developers of D5 Creation have come from the disadvantaged part or group of the society. … Donation will be spent for the disadvantaged children and students.

So what are your thoughts on their theme options panel? What would you change, fix, remove? Share your thoughts in the comments section below! Likes and shares, appreciated, as always :)

Raindrops is a free theme available in the WordPress.org themes repository. It’s got a bunch of different options, repeats “WordPress Native Theme Options” in its own way, and exposes your options table name in your database (see top right). Also, when you save any of the settings, it’ll show up an admin notice saying “Multisite users must click here.” Make sure you open the image in full size and scroll all the way down!

Admired Theme Options

This was suggested by @obenland via Twitter – Admired theme for WordPress. The theme options are really admirable, and the page is called Ultra Panel. Obviously with Google Analytics and SEO integrated. This must be like the Best of the Best and Ultimate. I’m going to stop using the Setting API from now on.

That was all sarcasm. Seriously, I think this is horrible, and there’s not too much you can do to make it worse, but judging from the download numbers, looks like people can live with it. Can you?

If you know of a theme with a Theme Options panel worth featuring (whether it’s good or bad), don’t hesitate to submit it!

Eclipse Theme Options

Eclipse was released on the WordPress.org themes directory earlier this month, and I’d say it’s doing quite okay. The Eclipse theme options panel has nothing in common with the rest of the WordPress interface, in fact the on/off toggles look very much like the iPhone/iPad ones, which I really dislike. Even Apple uses checkboxes where appropriate.

Also worth mentioning that the theme calls you to buy its Pro version, as well as a bunch of other “Pro” themes by CyberChimps, which makes me think about the whole purpose of the theme being in the free repository, if you know what I mean ;)

PageLines Theme Options

PageLines is one of the most popular themes in the WordPress.org directory, so here’s a shot of their theme configuration admin page. A bunch of sections, a bunch of sub-sections and a bunch of options, which is not surprising. This, however, is the “Lite Edition” that contains quite a few teasers to upgrade to the paid version, I wonder what that is like :)

It’s also worth noting that PageLines comes with a built in.. wait for it.. Store! A store where you can purchase themes, plugins and addons. Thoughts?

Here’s a reminder to grab WordPress 3.4 RC2 and test your themes and plugins. Rumor has it that it’ll hit the shelves sometime around next week.

P.S. If you’re following this blog, you might have received a strange e-mail this morning, with a photo of a fierce dog. Don’t be scared, that’s my little dog Lorelle, accidentally published on the wrong blog.

The Theme Foundry Theme Options

This was submitted by Andy Adams of The Theme Foundry, so publishing my thoughts here. The interface is close to what one would expect from a Theme Options panel which is good, though the usage of the metaboxes UI for sectioning might not be the best approach. Meta boxes are for different purposes.

One might also argue that the social profiles have nothing to do with Appearance and should be in Settings or Users, though I understand that it’s not always possible to take them with you to a different theme. However, a widget might, if it was in a plugin. I don’t have a strong opinion on any of the different ways here.

Post your thoughts and suggestions in the comments section, and don’t forget to rate this entry! Thanks :)

ThemeShift Theme Options Evolution

These were submitted by Simon from ThemeShift, showing the evolution (from top to bottom) of the options screens that ship with their themes. Looks like they’re headed towards using the Core UI, which makes me want to see a fourth version that uses native sectioning (and label-control positioning) with the Settings API.

It’s also nice to see that they went from their own top-level menu, to a Theme Options submenu in Appearance, which is neat and right where users would be expecting the options to be, right? Do you think ThemeShift is headed the right way, or are you a bigger fan of “3rd party app” style options panels (like WPZoom)?

Thanks for commenting and sharing :)

Also worth mentioning an earlier post by Ryan Imel (founder of WPCandy) called Custom designed WordPress options screens need to go and Otto’s comment. That’s three links in one post, sorry! Have a great weekend :)

Thanks to @maorhazan for the reminder.

WPZOOM Theme Options

This was submitted by Pavel Ciorici, founder of WPZOOM, which by the way have a free theme called Meeta. Quite a lot of options, including ones I never want to see in a WordPress theme, like SEO, but they seem to look well organized.

I think that the panel looks good on its own, but quite weird in a “WordPress environment.” It feels like it’s just floating there in the air, like a totally separate app. Even the blue “Save Changes” button is not the right size, shape and color. The first themes I saw with such an approach were from WooThemes, and I called it “WordPress in a WordPress.” I also dislike the usage of the word “Framework” here, which feels like too much marketing.

What about you? What do you like or dislike about the WPZOOM Theme Options? Do you think it’s important to follow design conventions when creating options panels for your themes and plugins? Thanks for sharing your thoughts, and don’t forget to rate this entry!