Ease of Use
I would rate the overall ease of use of Betheme at 4.8/5.
Here's why:
- The installation process appears to be straightforward and user-friendly, with a step-by-step theme setup wizard that simplifies the configuration.
- The theme offers a choice between a visual and a code editor, catering to both beginners and advanced users, which enhances the usability of the theme.
- With easy-to-configure layout options for headers, footers, typography, and color schemes, Betheme allows for quick personalization without overwhelming the user.
The reason it doesn't get a full 5 is due to the slight hiccup encountered during the registration phase.
This indicates that there may be room for improvement in managing license registration and deregistration.
Installation Process
Betheme can only be purchased and downloaded from the Envato Marketplace. Buy it from there and then download the theme file.
For the installation, you will need to follow the regular theme installation process from the dashboard:
- Go to appearance > themes > add new > upload theme
- Browse through your files and upload Betheme
- Click the install now button
After activating the theme, the theme setup wizard will kick in. The first screen is for entering the purchasing code.
Enter the purchase code in the field provided and click the register theme button:
⚠️ Note: From this page onwards, you will be able to change the theme’s admin pages into its light/dark theme design.
Theme Setup
After the registration, the setup wizard will show you two options on how to start using Betheme:
- Start with a pre-built website (more on pre-built websites later)
- Start from scratch
For now, let’s talk about what happens when you start from scratch:
You will then be able to configure the basic details of your site — the site title and the tagline.
After that, you have to choose a default editor from 2 choices:
- Visual (what you see is what you get editor)
- Code (through Codemirror)
From there, the setup wizard will take you to the layout options where you can configure the following elements:
- Header (default and pre-built)
- Logo
- Footer (default and pre-built)
These options are a gem since you won’t have to overcomplicate yourself with choosing the right header or footer style.
The next part is the design setup, where you can change the typography and colors of the website.
You can always change them later if you wish to:
What’s great here is that Betheme presents you with different typography options and what the heading-subheading combo looks like.
Next up are the recommended plugins — as of today, Betheme recommends 4 plugins on their theme setup wizard:
- Contact Form 7
- Elementor
- Revolution Slider
- WooCommerce
⚠️ Note: You don’t have to install these plugins right now. You can skip ahead to the final step.
In the last step, all you need to do is start the installation.
You will have the option to reset the database (delete posts, custom posts, pages, etc.) or skip it out.
It will then remind you that it won’t create backups and allow you to remove/preserve media from wp-uploads.
Click either the delete or skip button to proceed:
Once it’s done, Betheme will let you know that it has successfully installed your website.
Here’s what the bare bones home page looks like with the header and footer I selected in the theme wizard:
⚠️ Note: You can always run the setup wizard anytime you want from the sidebar menu panel under Betheme.
👋 My thoughts here
In general, the installation and theme setup were great.
Here’s what captured my interest:
- Unlike other premium WordPress themes and plugins out there, installing Betheme didn’t require me to install a basic and a “pro” plugin — plus points for the theme’s convenience. 😉
- The setup wizard was great (probably the best I have experienced so far). Why wouldn’t it be if it lets you select a pre-default header, footer, and even typography combinations?
Was everything perfect? Well, almost… Unfortunately, I encountered a bit of a problem during the registration phase.
You see, Darrel already bought a copy of the theme a while back and I tried using the purchase. This is what I got:
The problem here is that Darrel already uninstalled and deleted the theme from the site, so deregistering it isn’t easy (or so we thought).
There’s actually a way to deregister any registered purchase codes and domains through this page from Muffin Group — but we opted to buy a new license instead.
Unfortunately, you had to dig a little deeper in order to know the method to remotely deregister your purchase code.
Features
I would rate its overall features at 4.8/5.
Here's the rationale behind the rating:
- Betheme provides a wealth of customization options that allow for detailed tweaking of site elements.
- The inclusion of Betheme's own BeBuilder, which is inspired by Elementor, provides users with a familiar and intuitive interface for page building.
- The extensive customization possibilities could be daunting for beginners, potentially leading to a steep learning curve.
Overall, Betheme is feature-rich and highly adaptable, but there is a slight complexity that could be streamlined to enhance user experience.
Core Features
Here are the core features of Betheme:
1. Theme Options
Starting with the theme options, if you check the live customizer settings, you will be disappointed since there aren’t many options available.
Here’s what it looks like:
But that’s because all the theme options are found under the Betheme options in the admin dashboard.
There are so many options available here that they could easily overwhelm anyone:
For example, there’s even an option to change the position, size, and even transparency of the background of your website.
You can also change the options that you selected during the initial theme setup like the header layout style:
Since I work with blogs, the blog section is one of the first elements that I check.
What’s awesome with Betheme is that besides the different gorgeous blog layouts to choose from, you can configure:
- How the posts are ordered
- What categories to exclude
- Show filters
There are also extras like enabling you to include related posts at the bottom of single posts or generate a random amount of loves (reaction) per post.
There are also shop-related options available with extended functionalities like the following:
- Free delivery progress bar
- Fake sale notification
- Side cart module
Besides the one I mentioned above, there are a lot of great theme options.
There are too many to mention, so I’ll just mention the ones I find interesting:
- Search options including the form design
- Deep color options even for elements like alerts, forms, shop, and sliding top
- WPML multilingual plugin-related options
2. BeBuilder
Before BeBuilder came into being, Betheme users had to use other page builders (usually Elementor and the WPBakery page builder plugin) for a better page building experience.
But now, you can just use BeBuilder, Betheme’s own page builder (no separate builder plugin) — and I’m impressed at what this builder can do.
⚠️ Note: Betheme had a rudimentary Muffin builder before. Think of BeBuilder as a more improved version of it similar to Elementor.
To start, when you create a new post or page, you will now see an option to edit with BeBuilder:
This will bring you to BeBuilder.
It has a lot of similarities with Elementor, so if you’re using the latter page builder, you will feel at home here.
See what I mean:
Using it also feels and works like Elementor.
For example, I added a blog element to the page and tweaked the settings:
Betheme also has some interesting elements like:
- Chart
- Clients
- Contact box
- How it works
- Quick fact
- Trailer box
Here’s an example:
They have a lot of elements available — though not as many as what you will find in Elementor — but enough to create a stunning page.
I also want to add here that upon initial usage, the page builder seemed smooth (but I bet that like most builders, it could get a bit laggy when dealing with lots of elements).
⚠️ Note: Similar to Elementor Pro, you can create templates for different sections of your site including header, footer, mega menu, single post, and more.
3. Betheme Tools
I want to add here that there are half a dozen Betheme tools that you can use.
You can see all of them under the tools page of the Betheme section in the sidebar panel of the admin dashboard:
Currently, the tools you can find here are:
Tool | Description |
Local CSS | For recreating CSS files in the uploads folder and the database |
Local fonts | Recommended every time you change any fonts |
Delete history | For deleting all history entries of the builder |
Regenerate thumbnails | For restoring missing SVG images dimensions |
Analyze builder content | For making builder content readable for plugins |
Laptop breakpoint | Applicable for all elements where hide desktop is enabled |
Pre-Built Websites
Betheme offers an extensive range of pre-built websites to cater to a variety of user needs and industry domains.
In fact, there are 700 pre-built websites available, and you can quickly find the ones you need according to the layout and the subject (type of website).
By the way, if you opted to start with a pre-built WordPress website with the theme setup wizard, you would be able to indicate what builder you’re using and what type of website you have.
- Opting for BeBuilder will show you all the 700 pre-built websites available
- For Elementor, there are only 234 pre-built websites available
As for using a pre-built website, you can check a preview of that template first:
- Hover over that template
- Click on the eye icon
If you’re satisfied with it, you can then select the template. If it’s available in both builders, you will have to select which builder to use.
After that, you could choose whether to import the complete website (all data from the preview) or only selected data:
Once you proceed to the next step, you will be able to review all the data that will be imported and added to your website, including the required plugins.
If you agree, simply click on the start installation button:
Once again, you will be asked about resetting the database, which you can either go with it or skip that step altogether.
After that installation, you will be able to check the website:
Fast and easy! 👍
👋 My thoughts here
I have to admit, the theme options, the builder, and the pre-built websites kind of blew me away.
Betheme definitely has some of the best features out there that you can find (and should be present) on a WordPress theme.
Some of my favorites:
- There are numerous theme options — which makes it almost impossible not to tweak every nook and cranny of your site.
- Betheme’s creators had a great idea when they opted to create their own Elementor-inspired builder.
But was it perfect? Of course not (but I still like it anyways).
For one, the vast number of customization options available can easily overwhelm you — which is why it’s better to start with a pre-built website instead.
The second reason is that since the builder closely resembles Elementor, it also brings with it its complexities.
Take a look at this:
You and I might get used to it eventually — but the options in the style and advanced tab are a little confusing — like you will have a hard time finding which tab contains what settings.
I could argue though that the settings tab, which contains general options for the element, is easy to use and master.
Reliability
I would rate Betheme's overall reliability at 4/5.
Here's why:
- Betheme achieves a solid ‘B' grade with a 90% performance score in GTmetrix tests, which is above average.
- With a fully loaded time of 1.6 seconds and the smallest total page size at 0.97 MB among its competitors, Betheme demonstrates excellent efficiency.
- Despite the good performance, there is room for improvement to reach an ‘A' grade, which would represent the pinnacle of performance optimization.
- There's a possibility to reduce the number of page requests even further, which could contribute to an even faster and more reliable user experience.
A rating of 4.0 reflects a high level of reliability while acknowledging that there is some potential for further optimization.
Performance
Betheme is widely recognized for its performance-based functionality, which is crucial for a successful online presence.
I installed the default pre-built website from Betheme and ran it through GTmetrix. Here are the results:
It got a B grade with 90% performance. I would say it’s still pretty good — but not the best in terms of performance and speed.
Here’s how Betheme stacks up against other multipurpose WordPress themes that I ran through GTmetrix:
Theme | Fully Loaded Time | Total Page Size | Total Page Requests |
Elementor Simple Kit | 1.3 seconds | 1.51 MB | 53 |
Elementor Pearl Kit | 3.7 seconds | 1.57 MB | 106 |
Betheme Default Template | 1.6 seconds | 0.97 MB | 55 |
Astra Theme — Outdoor Adventure Template | 905 milliseconds | 1.54 MB | 21 |
Here are some comments:
- Betheme presents an impressive combination of speed and efficiency, boasting a fully loaded time of just 1.6 seconds — faster than many competitors.
- It's remarkably light, with the total page size being the smallest at 0.97 MB, which contributes to its swift performance.
- With only 55 total page requests, Betheme manages to keep server interactions minimal without sacrificing functionality.
This makes Betheme a strong contender for those prioritizing a quick and smooth user experience on their WordPress site.
⛔ Warning: The results from GTmetrix aren’t conclusive and won’t always hold true as the themes continue to update. However, they are a good indication of the themes’ performance and speed insights.
The speed of your website hinges not just on a solid theme like Betheme, but also on the strength of your hosting service.
That's why picking a dependable host such as SiteGround is a game-changer for your site's performance.
Here's how choosing SiteGround as your hosting partner can elevate your website's speed and reliability:
- Benefit from 99.9% uptime guarantee
- Only for $3.99/month — that's already for an entire year of seamless hosting
- Experience a hosting platform tailored for global reach and performance
Investing in SiteGround means choosing a hosting service dedicated to speed, stability, and superior performance for your website.
This complements the capabilities of Betheme and ensures that your site stands out in the digital landscape.
Updates and Maintenance
The Betheme WordPress theme continues to evolve to meet the modern standards and demands of web design.
Here's a brief summary of Betheme’s updates and maintenance:
Aspect | Description |
Continuous Updates | Frequent releases to enhance performance, fix bugs, or introduce new features like new attributes to BeBuilder elements, new Google Fonts, and PHP 8.1 compatibility improvements. |
Addressing Issues Promptly | Prompt resolution of issues encountered during updates through active community and support forum. Examples include an update getting stuck in maintenance mode and a theme update failure. |
Manual Update Option | Provision of a manual update option for users with older theme versions or those experiencing issues with automatic updates, ensuring access to the latest theme version. |
Installation and Update Guidance | Guidance provided on how to install and update the theme via the Support Center, including methods via the WordPress Theme Manager or FTP upload, aiding users in handling updates and maintenance themselves5. |
Community Support | An active BeTheme Support Forum for users to discuss updates, share experiences, and seek solutions, enhancing the maintenance experience through collective learning and problem-solving. |
BeTheme's continuous updates and maintenance show a commitment to providing a high-quality, user-friendly, and up-to-date theme for WordPress users.
👋 My thoughts here
The best thing in terms of reliability for Betheme is its performance-based functionality, achieving at least a B grade from GTmetrix out of the box.
I have no qualms about the theme’s reliability since it’s still on the above-average level (and I like its core features).
Unfortunately, I need to point out some things here that could improve the theme:
- Getting an A grade would be best
- Lessening the number of page requests
While a ‘B' grade is commendable, striving for an ‘A' grade would indicate even better performance optimization.
This could include further reducing page load times, minimizing the total page size, and decreasing the number of page requests.
Support
My rating here is 3.8/5.
Here are my reasons:
- Betheme provides a variety of customer support options and has both video tutorials and written guides that are well-arranged and thorough.
- The support pages and documentation can load slowly, which can be frustrating and hinder the support experience.
- The lack of a dedicated ticketing system could complicate the support process for users who expect more direct and private interaction with customer service.
Balancing the strengths and areas for improvement, a solid rating of 3.8 still reflects a strong support system with room for enhancements.
Customer Service
What’s great with Betheme is that finding support within the theme’s section in the admin dashboard is easy since it has its own page.
You simply have to go to the manual and support page to see all the options:
From this page, you can see that Betheme has the following customer service options:
- Create a ticket
- Facebook community
- Support center
- Documentation
- Support forum
I followed its support center and saw similar options — though this time, you can directly browse some frequently asked questions and some video tutorials.
I also got curious about the create a ticket option since the support center implies that the ticket system and the forum are one and the same.
Unfortunately, it’s true. After clicking the link, it brought me to the forum (I hoped they had a separate ticketing system).
Betheme also stated in their manual and support page what the item support includes:
Documentation
In terms of documentation, Betheme did a great job as they have two types of documentation media:
- Video tutorials
- Written documentation
From the manual and support section, you can already view introductory videos — and you can then visit the channel to see more videos (hosted on YouTube).
For the written documentation, the topics are well-arranged and the guides well-written — complete with images.
Here’s an example:
Unfortunately, I noticed that the documentation pages (and their support pages in general) sometimes load a little slowly.
They also have a supposed page for the video tutorials, but the page didn’t load at all (which is why I recommend going directly to the YouTube channel).
After a few tries though, it finally loaded and showed me this:
Community Support
At first, I thought the community support was a little weak. That’s because I saw some posts that don’t have replies and were labeled closed.
Until I saw that they were posts from the support team 😅 like this one here:
The community support of Betheme though seems to be lively, especially with interesting topics.
For example, there’s this post about suggestions for future updates and it garnered 1.4k comments:
Although less interesting topics and questions don’t have the same reception, all of them got a reply (at least on the pages I visited).
Betheme also has its own Facebook group, with at least 1 post per day — which I take is a good sign of their activity.
👋 My thoughts here
Aside from the few downsides, I would say that Betheme’s support is pretty solid.
In particular, I like the following:
- The easy-to-navigate support section in the theme’s admin section
- Comprehensive documentation — especially the videos
- Active community support
As for the downsides, I already discussed them earlier.
But in case someone from Betheme can read this, I’ll clarify them below:
- The page load speed for the support content has to improve
- There must be a separate ticketing system (that doesn’t redirect to the forum)
- Ensure that all support resources are reliable (for example, the page for video tutorials didn’t load)
Pricing
I would rate the overall pricing of BeTheme at 4/5.
Here's why:
- The inclusion of 6 months of support from the theme's creators adds considerable value, providing peace of mind and assistance when needed.
- Currently, the license is limited to a single website, which may not be ideal for developers or businesses that manage multiple sites.
- An extended support option is available but at an extra cost, and the refund policy, being dependent on the Envato Market's rules, could be more flexible.
While there are additional costs, like the handling fee for credit card purchases, these are relatively minor and do not significantly detract from the overall value provided.
However, offering a multi-site license or a more direct refund policy could improve user satisfaction and the pricing score.
Cost Breakdown
BeTheme's pricing is straightforward and provides a significant amount of value given its extensive feature set.
You can buy it directly from the Envato Market:
For $60, you will gain access to the following:
- Everything that Betheme offers (including the BeBuilder)
- Future updates
- 6 months of support from the theme’s creators
⚠️ Note: The downside of buying a theme from Envato Market is that the regular license is for one website only.
Since you can only buy it from the Envato Market, the additional expenses are the following:
- The handling fee for using a credit card during purchase
- Extended support to 12 months for $18
Money Back Guarantee/Refund
Since Betheme can only be purchased from the Envato Market, only the refund rules of that same market applies.
Here’s a summary of their refund policy:
Circumstance | Eligibility | Notes |
Item is “not as described” or doesn’t work as it should | Yes | If the item is materially different from the description or doesn't work as expected. |
Item has a security vulnerability | Yes | If it can't be fixed easily, you may be entitled to a refund. |
Item support is promised but not provided | Yes | If you don't receive the promised support, you may be entitled to a refund. |
Items that have not been downloaded | Yes | If not downloaded within 30 days from the date of purchase. |
Resolving disputes – asking Envato to help | Discretionary | If you and the author can't agree on a refund, Envato may intervene. |
You don’t want it after downloading | No | — |
Item didn’t meet expectations or is of low quality | No | — |
Change of mind | No | — |
Bought by mistake | No | — |
Lack of expertise to use the item | No | — |
Item removed or author no longer active | No | Advised to download items immediately after purchase. |
Purchase made over 180 days ago (supported items) | No | For Themeforest and CodeCanyon supported items. |
Purchase made over 30 days ago (unsupported items) | No | For Themeforest and CodeCanyon unsupported items and other specified Envato Market items. |
👋 My thoughts here
For the pricing, there are some good points and some bad points.
The aspects that I like are the following:
- Buying the theme will get you all the features needed (without any hidden cost) and access to future updates
- Having 6 months of support is already good in most cases
Are all that enough?
Well, there are some problems when the theme is only available on the Envato Market (which WordPress users who constantly buy themes already know).
Here are some things that Betheme could improve on:
- Having a multi-site license option
- A better refund/money-back guarantee
Final Thoughts
Betheme stands as a strong choice for a WordPress theme, striking a fine balance between user-friendliness and a suite of powerful features.
With its quick setup, easy customization, and solid performance, it's built to serve both novices and experts effectively.
Although it could offer more flexible pricing options for multiple sites, the overall cost-to-feature ratio presents a compelling case for its value.
In short, if you're in the market for a theme that delivers both aesthetics and functionality, Betheme is well worth considering.
As you weigh the benefits of Betheme for your website, consider how you manage updates and support.
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