Ethical Theme Sponsorship Links
I PERSONALLY think that if I were to use a sponsored theme (and I never will) that this “sponsor” should pay ME to have his link there since he’s getting all his linky love off my site. But that’s just me. (Jenny)
With a response by Thomas:
Then Jenny you should pay the designer for the theme you are using expect for (semi-)professional bloggers no one wants to pay for the themes he uses. (Thomas)
Thomas makes a valid point. It seems that the people who want something for nothing are the ones who ultimately forget or don’t fully understand what goes into the production of a single, quality WordPress theme.
Creating a good theme can be an hours long project; themes simply don’t spring to life out of thin air.
- Layout planning
- Color and font selection
- Graphic creation and, in some cases, stock image purchase
- Slicing, dicing, and coding
- Testing and tweaking
- Supporting the finished product
Often, the designers do it for the sheer enjoyment of designing a nice theme, but the hours spent creating that free to use theme are hours that aren’t spent on a paying project. Sure, the theme designer could slap up a donation button, but the fact is that people rarely donate, even when the button is in their face; the amount of donations a theme designer may receive in a year probably wouldn’t even cover an hour spent on the theme production and support.
Not all theme designers are in a position where someone else supports them — providing shelter, buying groceries, and paying the bills. In other words, some theme designers are only able to produce the free themes if it is part of their overall livelihood. Adding a sponsored link is a way to curtail the financial obligations associated with producing the theme. In essence, the link becomes a non-monetary donation from the end user to the theme designer.
With all of that said, there definitely does need to be some basic ethical standards for sponsored themes to make it a win-win-win situation all around.
For the theme designers:
Quality, Not Quantity
It’s true that some theme designers will put out a sub-standard theme simply because someone paid for the sponsor link. But, in doing so, these theme designers are only harming themselves in the long run. People will not be inclined to use or recommend a theme that looks like crap or doesn’t function properly.
There is actually software on the market for the sole purpose of mass-producing themes based on the Kubrick theme (and I don’t plan to link to it), which is a shame. Instead of producing hackneyed themes based on the Kubrick model, take the time to craft a good theme, test it, and support it as much as possible. In the end, more people will appreciate the theme, your hard work, and the sponsor link will be justifiable.
Limit Sponsor Links
No theme needs more than one sponsor link; themes with two, three, seven plus sponsor links are simply created for the sole purpose of spam and not because the theme author enjoys creating themes. And it’s appalling.
A single sponsor link should be enough to cover the cost of theme production and by limiting the number of sponsor links in a theme, you’re showing courtesy to your end theme user. Remember, their blog is not a free-for-all link directory and the single link is their donation to you.
Be Discriminating
Not everyone who offers to purchase a link on your theme should be afforded the opportunity to do so. Again, it comes back to respecting the theme user’s website. Consider that people with various sensibilities will be using your themes, so it pays to have a discriminating eye when it comes to selecting theme sponsors.
- Don’t publish links to splogs, MFA (made for AdSense), or non-sense websites. The site should have a valid purpose and be useful to human visitors, not just search engine robots.
- Avoid linking to NSFW (or kids) websites. If you do link out to these types of sites, disclose it prominently.
- Monitor the links. Some people will let their domain names lapse, and some people will just try to be plain sneaky. Have rules in place and if the content changes or starts redirecting to a poorer quality site, then change the links in the theme immediately and issue a theme update.
Above all else, remember to respect your theme user’s website. If you do this, it will be reflected in your work.
For theme users:
Theme Designers Aren’t Obligated to You
The theme designers are providing you with a theme that you would have needed to create yourself or pay someone to create for you — in essence, they are providing you with their services at no cost. The least you can do is respect the theme designer’s terms (different designers will have different terms).
If there is a theme you especially love, but you don’t love the theme sponsor, contact the theme designer to work something out.
- Offer to donate a certain amount of money as compensation to remove the link. Most theme designers are obliging in that way.
- Offer to pay for theme customizations and support requests.
- Commission a custom design based on the theme.
- Use a different theme.
The final point is in bold because there is nothing stating that you absolutely must use a particular designer’s theme. Frankly, if you don’t agree with the linking policy, or sponsorship policy, or terms of use, then you truly shouldn’t be using the theme anyway. There are hundreds, if not thousands, of freely available themes that do not have specific restrictions on their use.
Just as the designer is to respect you as the user, you should also extend the same courtesy to the theme designer.
Finishing Up
Not all theme designers who provide a sponsor link in their themes are bad people, merely people who’d like to eat and possibly care for their family. Though there are a few people out there who seek to abuse the situation, they are the exception, not the rule.
Free to view television channels have commercials because those advertisers make it possible to bring you the programming you love. If you want to get away from those commercials, you can switch to a premium channel, such as HBO or Showtime, or purchase a Tivo, but those premium channels and Tivo come with a price.
Sponsor links are like commercials on the free to view channels; If you don’t like the commercials, pay the premium.
[…] Not all theme designers who provide a sponsor link in their themes are bad people, merely people who’d like to eat and possibly care for their family. Though there are a few people out there who seek to abuse the situation, they are the exception, not the rule. […]
Not sure how it will all play out, but I am glad to see that you are able to understand both sides of the problem and provide objective views on this issue.
I have absolutely NO problem with a sponsored theme; if I choose to select this theme knowing full well the terms of the agreement then I really have no right to take it off.
Geoff if you would have asked the people if they wanted to wear ads on their clothes for a month afterwards, it’s obvious no one would have asked for help. But thats what it comes down to: choice.
If you can’t respect the request of the theme designer than guess what, don’t use the theme!
I think it’s totally reasonable for the links of the theme creator to be embedded in the bottom of the theme. When you use a theme created by someone else, you’re borrowing someone else’s knowledge, talent, and skills – you’re also choosing to use someone else’s theme because you can’t or won’t make one yourself. Why shouldn’t the theme creator be credited? Unless you’re selling themes, it doesn’t take anything away from you. If you are selling themes, why use a theme designed by someone else? And also… if you are selling or making your own themes and NOT using someone else’s but you’re just complaining about embedded credit and links, what makes it your business? Why are you so concerned?
It makes good sense to me. If I can’t afford to purchase a theme I’m using, I’m more than happy to display the credit and the links. Someone else’s hard work went into it… all I did was install it.
Now, if I were forced to display search engine ads or something for the benefit of someone else, I’d have a problem with that, but instead of crying about it, I’d just use a different theme or make my own.
What ever happened to giving credit where credit is due?
Forgot to add… I understand the sponsorship thing, but I’m not wild about it. I thought the discussion was about giving credit and links to the CREATOR of the theme, not some junk advertising. My comments above still stand, but I’ll add this:
I’m all for linking to theme creator and they can advertise whatever they want on their site, but I think that’s where it should stop.
Anyway, the answer is that the terms are the terms and if you don’t agree, you need to pass on the theme.
I agree. I use free themes and I am grateful for them. I don’t mind having a sponsor link at all. Thanks to all of you wordpress theme creators!!!
When I used my first free theme I sent out an email blast to every one in my contact list the problem was I left the theme name and author in the bottom,
In a matter of 2days two people on the list liked the theme so much that they used it.
After that I use other peoples themes and I always customize it. Unfortunatley I have to leave out the theme name because so many others our watching.
I currently use the Kurbick theme and just customized the header and background. I realize now that themes are cool but good content is key.
thegnrgroup.com/blog
@Glen: If you’re concerned about people using the same theme you are, may I offer a suggestion? Pay for a custom theme.
Instead of removing designer credits, which is nothing but rude and ungrateful (they are giving away their hard work for free, the least they deserve is a credit link), learn that the theme is freely available; chances are, if you’re using it, 1,000 other people are using the same theme, too. Deal with it.
Hey Diva
You are totally right Diva, and when your right your right 🙂