Automattic has announced that users will now be able to purchase premium themes for their WordPress.com websites and blogs.
The commercial theme marketplace for self-hosted WordPress sites has exploded in the past few years. Moreover, the availability of various WordPress themes — commercial or otherwise — has contributed to increased adoption of WordPress across the web.
It makes sense that Automattic would want to bring some of the most popular WordPress.org premium themes to WordPress.com customers.
Tumblr added the ability for users to purchase and install premium themes in March 2010.
The first two premium themes that will be available on WordPress.com are Headlines by Woo Themes and Shelf from The Theme Foundry.
These themes have been available for WordPress.org users for some time and are both high quality and attractive.
Headlines is $45 and a magazine-style theme, perfect for users who have lots of content. It features 15 different color schemes, drop-down custom menus and a featured post slider.
Shelf, a tumblelog style theme, is $68. It takes advantage of WordPress.com’s new post formats feature (think Tumblr-style icons and formatting for specific types of posts) and has a fun horizontal scrolling design.
To purchase premium themes, WordPress.com users can either go to the Themes Showcase and click on the premium themes, or click on the “Premium” label in the “Browse Themes” section of the Themes menu in Appearances.
It’s interesting to see WordPress.com leverage the commercial theme space. When commercial themes first hit the scene back in 2008, there was a certain amount of unrest in parts of the WordPress community. Most of those issues — which really revolved around licensing — were settled some time ago, but the commercial themes space has, until now, remained untouched on WordPress.com.
For WordPress.com users, this is a great way to get a more unique-looking blog. For WordPress theme developers, it opens some potential business opportunities.
Would you buy a premium WordPress.com theme or would you prefer to buy a theme for a self-hosted WordPress.org installation?
More About: automattic, premium themes, WordPress, WordPress themes, WordPress.com
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