Please note: this iThemes review contains affiliate links.
At the time of publishing, over 64% of websites whose content management systems (CMSs) we’re aware of are powered by WordPress.
Why?
Because it’s easy to set up and use.
Get hosting, install WordPress, plugins, and a theme. You know the drill. It’s simple, but it can be tedious.
Here’s the good news:
You can simplify the process with iThemes. It’s an excellent choice for agencies looking for a single service that offers one-stop WordPress solutions.
In this iThemes review, I’ll give you the lowdown on what makes the service stand out.
Here’s what you’ll learn:
What is iThemes?
iThemes was originally a WordPress themes-only company. Over the years, its creators diversified into WordPress plugins, and it now offers some of the best plugins for the backup, maintenance, and security of your WordPress website.
Instead of jumping through hoops as you get websites up and running, the iThemes toolkit gives you everything you need in one place. It packs in a lot, so I’m going to break down its product portfolio into snackable bits throughout this iThemes review.
iThemes Products: A Comprehensive Overview
From themes to plugins, the iThemes Agency Bundle gives you access to a broad product portfolio for $749/year.
With the Agency Bundle, you get access to three assets: plugins, training, and the Kadence theme. If you don’t currently need the full package, you can also get one or more products separately.
1. iThemes Plugin Suite
iThemes offers a Plugin Suite for $499/year. It includes 14 plugins, 10GB free Stash Storage, and a free 30-day trial of Sync Pro.
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Among the 14 plugins (excluding the Sync Pro trial) included in the Plugin Suite, the following are especially impressive:
- iThemes Security Pro: This plugin adds an extra layer of security to WordPress websites. If someone tries to hack the website, it’ll make their job significantly harder. It will also notify the site owner via email about potential security breaches.
- BackupBuddy: This is like life insurance for your WordPress website. If your website is hacked, infected, or somehow destroyed, you’ll need a backup to get it up and running again. That’s where BackupBuddy helps — it backs up the entire WordPress installation so you can help clients recover their website quickly.
- Restrict Content Pro: This is a great asset if you want to gate the content on the website. It makes delivering premium content easy and has several related features, such as creating discount codes, sending automatic emails to members, and generating membership website performance summaries.
The Plugin Suite’s price covers unlimited websites. Whether or not the Suite is cost-effective will depend on how many websites you have — the more websites you install these plugins on, the lower the per-website cost.
If you have an agency of your own, the investment is worth it.
2. iThemes Training
Training is one of the best perks you get when you purchase the Agency Bundle, but you can also buy iThemes training on its own for $399/year.
The training’s scope goes beyond just helping you and the team improve WordPress skills. You’ll also gain valuable insights on how to grow your online business through live webinars hosted by industry experts, who you can interact with through chat.
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Webinars are recorded so you can watch them later if you can’t make them live.
If any part of the training piques your interest or leaves you with questions, you can ask for help and seek advice in the exclusive Slack channel — accessible to those with an iThemes membership.
The training offers more than just beginner-level courses: it also gives you access to a collection of resources you can use to acquire advanced skills. That makes iThemes training valuable for beginners and advanced users alike.
3. Kadence WordPress Theme
iThemes acquired Kadence WP in April 2021. The acquisition makes sense — this way, the team can work on a single theme with starter templates instead of holding on to an older library of themes. Plus, Kadence has a lot going for it.
The Kadence WP theme is clean, fast, and great for SEO. It can even contend with some high-end WordPress themes. It also integrates well with popular page builders like Gutenberg, Elementor, and Beaver Builder.
With Kadence WP, you also get Kadence Blocks. You can use those to make the WordPress Block Editor more powerful, create a custom layout, or select a design from its library, among other features.
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You can get the Kadence theme separately or as part of the Agency Bundle. Either way, you can use it on unlimited websites. If you’re buying it outside of the Agency Bundle, I recommend purchasing the Lifetime Full Bundle for $649.
Final Thoughts: iThemes Review — A Silver Bullet WordPress Solution
iThemes has a great range of products to choose from, which makes its membership a compelling buy.
The addition of goodies like Kadence Pro alongside its existing plugins helps it appeal to a broad audience. The strong line-up of plugins and iThemes training make the Agency Bundle well worth the price. Try it today.
