Any suggestions as to which one of these are the best? Been looking and can't decide!

I use Thesis for my personal blog and I really like it. I didn't know any css and struggled with it for a while. I wouldn't recommend it for someone who isn't familiar with coding... I spent SOOOO much time trying to figure it out, I'm sure if I had some coding background it would have been much easier. Thesis offers lots of customizing and the member forums are great. I'm not familiar with the others you mentioned. I'd love to know what you decide. I'm trying to find a cheap, yet nice theme too!

I've used 2/3 of those and am currently researching the third as an option for my clients.

Thesis does have a learning curve. You need to understand css to really make it "yours" and then you have to learn about "hooks" and how they work to use them correctly.

Headway, I've used minimally but i've heard good things about it. It uses things called "leaves"(I think that's the name) and they can get a bit confusing as well.

Frugal, I am hearing great things about this one. I can work with any theme but I am trying to streamline the design/development process in my company and Frugal is looking like it might be the answer. I plan to do a bit more research before I purchase it but, pretty sure that is the route I will go.

If you search google you are sure to find a copy of an older version of Thesis to test out- I don't recommend strictly using the one you find in the end though, just use it to test and then purchase the newest version from the developer.
You may find an earlier version of Headway the same way.
Frugal used to have a free version to give you a minor taste of what the pro version has. If you can still find a copy, try it out as well (the site doesn't offer anymore). The free version has limited capabilities but will help you decide if it's for you.

Good luck with your decision.

~Christina

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~Christina|BD Mag|VOSTeam

Until I got used to creating/coding my own custom page templates for WP, I used Artisteer. The only downside to it (right now) is it doesn't provide a custom home page and you have to be familiar enough with page templates and CSS to add it on your own. The developers are continuously adding new features, so this would be a plus when they add that option to it. It's a great tool for beginner WP theme designers.

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Linda Braun, Marketing Solutions
Building the Bridge to Reach Your Customers

I use and love thesis so if you ever need help with thesis just let me know

Thanks for all the great advice! Still debating, I'm gonna see if I can find those test versions! I keep seeing that Thesis is suppose to come out with a new version, but have read that it was announced a while back and still no new product. Has anyone heard any news on this? Thanks!

I just thought of another question for you wonderful ladies! What do you use to back up your website using these themes? I am use to using Dreamweaver so there is a copy on my computer and on the net. What do you do when you switch to a blog? Thanks!!!

Thesis has their new version 1.7 that came out not too long and in that version there is an option to import and export the themes you do with thesis. I know they are working on the 2.0 but that can still take some time before it is out.

To backup my database with wordpress I use the plugin Wordpress Backup (by BTE) http://www.blogtrafficexchange.com/wordpress-backup/

Thanks Swannie! I haven't bought it yet but, I think I'm going with Headway. One of the main reasons is because you don't have to pay the $40 when you do a client's site. At least, that is how I understand it.

Yes with Thesis when you have the developer license like I have for other site you do that is not yours is 40$ for your client but if the single license is 89$ I think so it is still a nice saving from the original price for your client if they go through you. It is close to the price people sell their themes so I don't think it is that cheap. As of Headways I don't really know their policies.

You were also asking about time management for your client sorry miss that earlier I use a project management web base that I install on my server so that way my customer and I can see everything done in that. http://codecanyon.net/item/ultimate-...-manager/47626