The Wordpress.com Theme Marketplace seems to be stirring up a lot of opinions and I’m not different. At first I thought it sounded like a really interesting prospect, but now I’ve read a lot of other opinions I can see how it really is a mixed bag. So what are the pros and cons?
I have never released a theme before, professional or otherwise, but I am considering it. With a new blog and a readership of close to zero I don’t have too many ways to promote my theme. What I need is a ready-made market place. That is what the Theme Marketplace would provide.
I have seen estimates of 17,000 potential purchasers, that’s more than read all of my blogs combined and that seems like a pretty good market for a first timer.
Access to the marketplace is granted before the costs come in. Payment on a percentage basis, even one as high as 50/50 means that there is no upfront payment (I assume).
For experienced sellers this may not be so good. 50 / 50 is a very large split, although, I can see how it could be justified. Providing access to users of a commercial product usually costs, a lot. That however doesn’t necessarily make up for the revenue lost by having to give the theme away free to self hosted blogs.
People who have the means to promote their own themes to self hosted bloggers might be well advised to follow that route. If anything that route may become more fertile with newcomers heading to the masses, the Marketplace.
If newcomers have the choice to set their own costs they may well aim low for initial exposure, if they are good enough they may end up pricing the experienced themers out of the market. What is a theme really worth anyway?
No back links. I don’t much care for SEO, but a bit of branding doesn’t seem unreasonable. I’m not sure if it is the link that is the problem or the branding. If minor branding, albeit unlinked, is allowed then perhaps it isn’t such an issue. This is discussed more at Wisdump: How much is it worth to have your name in the footer?
Reactions are mixed. Blogherald asks some seraching questions and gets a lot of possible answers, many are concerned about the effect this will have on the Wordpress community. After all a community that starts to be driven by money can easily fall apart because of it.
On the other hand it may well provide a great place to sell some themes, and get feedback, experienced, and exposure for others.
Personally I like the idea, and I don’t think I’m the only one. Wisdump has a pretty good exploration of the issues surrounding the marketplace. Ultimately though I guess we just need to wait and see.