Getting More From Genesis When You’re Not a Developer

Do you use the Genesis Framework (affiliate link) on your blog? Can’t code for toffee? Have no idea what a hook is? This post is just for you.

It can be heartbreaking to download a new theme and install it to find out you cannot actually do want you want to do, or you need a degree in HTML and CSS to get the look that you want. Many of the top bloggers who use Genesis customise it heavily to stamp their unique feel upon it.  Throw in that you can’t build your list the way you need to and you are one frustrated blogger.

Here are 3 plugins that will help you get more from your Genesis theme.

1. The eNews Extended plugin

With no one really knowing what’s happening with Feedburner and bloggers in their droves are moving to Feedblitz , the eNews Extended plugin is a tool that will enable your subscribers to be added to your mailing list. Of course, you can still use Feedburner with the plugin, but now you don’t have to.

The eNews Extended plugin works seamlessly with Aweber, Mailchimp and Feedblitz with other email providers being planned. The plugin is created by Brandon Kraft and the support for the plugin is exceptional.

The plugin when activated creates a new widget area that will enable you to add the eNews widget to wherever you want in your header or sidebar, or another location entirely. Your email list, built your way. What more can you ask?

Download the eNews Extended plugin here.

2. The Genesis Extender Plugin

I recently put this plugin through its paces and I love it.  First up, the  the Genesis Extender Plugin is a premium plugin but its worth the money. It allows you to create all sorts of wonderful things with your Genesis theme without being a developer or coding geek. If hooks are beyond you and you don’t want to learn to code, then this plugin is for you.

With it you can create a static home page and order the widgets anyway that you like. Say you love the Lifestyle Theme, but you don’t like the layout.  The Genesis Extender Plugin enables you to move things to how you would like them without touching the code. You can also create affiliate boxes under each post (Genesis affiliate boxes) as well as a custom secondary pages and new static home pages. I’m frequently hacking up the Serenity theme and moving things around (and breaking things), this plugin makes my life easier.

At first the plugin might seem a little overwhelming, but Eric Hamm the developer has a series of videos that will help you get used to using it. Disclosure, I’ve purchased and reviewed other products via Catalyst Themes (Dynamik theme review) and was offered an advance copy of the plugin to take a look at, for free. There was no obligations to review or endorse the plugin, but I will mention it because I use it and its great.

If you are a coder, then you probably won’t like this plugin –  you can do all this anyway, but if you are a normal user who wants more from Genesis, then go and grab a copy.

3. Genesis Simple Edits

Want to change your footer area from  Genesis Framework to something else? Want to change your post meta information? Then Genesis Simple Edits is your plugin. No need to attempt to edit your theme, just upload the plugin, find the settings and modify the footer.

No hooks, no filters, no mucking about.

Okay, this plugin doesn’t enable you to get more from Genesis but it does help you keep your sanity  by stopping you wondering how to remove the footer credits, and if you want to keep them you can add your affiliate links.

These three plugins are really useful at helping you get more from Genesis without having to code, know what a hook is or look at editing a template.

Download the Genesis Simple Edits plugin here.

Enjoy.