Bought the premium upgrade to customize but can't

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  cfnewswire · Member · May 7, 2013 at 4:57 pm

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  I’m new to WordPress.
  I’m confused. I paid for the premium plan so I could customize my theme, but now they want $30 bucks more to do that. Am I missing something? Or have I been misled?

  The blog I need help with is: (visible only to logged in users)

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  raincoaster · Member · May 7, 2013 at 5:07 pm

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  Which premium plan did you buy? If you bought the Pro upgrade, it includes theme customization. The Pro upgrade is just a bundle of other upgrades which can be purchased separately; it saves you money to buy them all at once, though.

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  cfnewswire · Member · May 7, 2013 at 5:12 pm

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  I purchased the $99 (bundle) though I do not need a domain name.

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  raincoaster · Member · May 7, 2013 at 5:14 pm

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  Well, a domain name is never a bad idea. If you bought the bundle, Custom Design is included; is it not working for you, or did you just notice the separate Custom Design upgrade?

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  cfnewswire · Member · May 7, 2013 at 5:17 pm

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  To be honest, I don’t know the exact upgrade language other than after reviewing the options the $99 package seemed like a good deal. I’ve tried some customized settings and see no functionality.

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  cfnewswire · Member · May 7, 2013 at 5:19 pm

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  To be more concise, I already have a domain name and will transfer it to WordPress once I get this other, rather critical, issue resolved.

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  raincoaster · Member · May 7, 2013 at 5:21 pm

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  What customized settings have you tried? What was the nature of the failure?

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  cfnewswire · Member · May 7, 2013 at 5:24 pm

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  I clicked on “themes” then “customize” and actually went to a blank page with customizing tool tabs (color) (font), etc.

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  timethief · Member · May 7, 2013 at 5:32 pm

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  When using the theme customizer please be sure you are using one of the browsers and versions found here http://browsehappy.com and also be sure you have enabled third party cookies. http://en.support.wordpress.com/third-party-cookies/

  NOTE:You do not have to use the theme customizer as all of the very same functions can be accessed from your dashboard.
  Appearance > Header
  Appearance > Background
  Appearance > Theme Options (applicable only to some themes)
  Settings > Reading (set a static front page)
  Site Title and Tagline > Settings > General

  Do understand that no changes you try out aside from those such as Custom Background, Custom Header and Theme Options which are stated on the theme description pages for each theme will be visible to visitors unless you purchase an annually renewable custom design upgrade?
  http://en.support.wordpress.com/custom-design/
  http://en.support.wordpress.com/custom-design/editing-css/
  http://en.support.wordpress.com/custom-design/#custom-fonts
  http://en.support.wordpress.com/custom-design/#custom-colors

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  raincoaster · Member · May 7, 2013 at 5:37 pm

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  He’s already got the upgrade. The question is if, in all the chaos yesterday, the upgrade somehow didn’t work.

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  cfnewswire · Member · May 7, 2013 at 5:38 pm

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  Thanks, timethief: But I would be greatly de-stressed if you could confirm that my $99 premium purchase this morning fulfills my expectations of being able to customize my site — without paying another $30?

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  timethief · Member · May 7, 2013 at 5:39 pm

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  @raincoaster
  I wasn’t aware of the issues. I’m out of here and focusing on my own blogging today.

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  raincoaster · Member · May 7, 2013 at 6:12 pm

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  Yes, it should enable you to customize your own site. There are, however, some issues with the Customization: it’s not an easy dial thing, it has to be done by editing the CSS code. The CSS forum has guides and many threads that can help you. https://en.forums.wordpress.com/forum/css-customization

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  cfnewswire · Member · May 7, 2013 at 6:27 pm

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  Thanks raincoaster. I’ll continue to explore my options, but I’m beginning to feel as though I’ve been hoodwinked. I am not finding WordPress to be as functional as I was led to believe. I’ve just finished pouring money down a rathole at another hosting site. Fingers crossed that I have not got myself into another series of tail-chasing frustration.

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  timethief · Member · May 7, 2013 at 6:30 pm

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  @cfnewswire
  I am using Firefox 20 and not experiencing this issue. Maybe you have a browser related issue. You won’t know if you do or not unless you go through this troubleshooting drill below.

  If you are not running one of the browsers and versions listed at http://browsehappy.com/ please try upgrading or switching first.

  Note: If you are using an IE9 browser in compatibility mode that makes it render as IE7 and IE7 is not supported. To disable see > http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/1196-internet-explorer-compatibility-view-turn-off.html

  If you are running one of the browsers and versions listed at http://browsehappy.com please do these four things:

  1. Try clearing your browser’s cache: http://www.google.com/support/accounts/bin/answer.py?hl=en&answer=32050

  2. Make sure that you have third-party cookies enabled: http://en.support.wordpress.com/third-party-cookies/

  3. Try with all browser extensions or add-ons temporarily disabled.

  4. Try enabling HTTPS: http://en.support.wordpress.com/https/

  If it’s still happening, let us know exactly which browser (and version of it) you’re using by checking here if necessary http://www.whatbrowser.org/ and also post any error reports you get.

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  raincoaster · Member · May 7, 2013 at 6:32 pm

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  It’s quite functional, it’s just that the Custom Design bit works with code. Your upgrade comes with paid staff support, so you can just say, for eg, “I want my column to be 894 pixels wide and my excerpt to contain three rows of text” and staff will give you the code. It’s not instantaneous, though.

  [Update from Staff: Just to clarify, staff doesn't provide design consultation. We often give out CSS code when we can but our purpose is to support the upgrade, make sure it's working, and help users get started with learning CSS when we can. The forums are also a volunteer effort.]

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  raincoaster · Member · May 7, 2013 at 6:33 pm

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  They’re beta-testing a more intuitive way to do it, but for now, that’s what the Custom Design is. It’s infinitely customizable as long as you can write or edit CSS code or wait for staff to do it.

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  timethief · Member · May 7, 2013 at 6:36 pm

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  @cfnewswire
  I tagged this thread so it will be moved to the CSS editing forum for you. Please read this entire section Custom Design – Frequently Asked Questions
  Also note Where is the theme CSS and how do I edit it?

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  cfnewswire · Member · May 7, 2013 at 6:59 pm

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  Thanks timethief. I appreciate your tips. I am using IE10 (downloaded today); I have third-party cookies enabled; I’ve cleared my browser’s cache; I have chosen Quinta as my theme but would like to customize; I’ve purchased the $99 Premium plan (this morning); I’ve attempted even basic editing on my page (should now be http://www.chrysolinnpress.net) though I have not yet taken the steps to transfer my existing domain name. I do hope you will be able to get me passed this rather inauspicious introduction to WordPress.

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  timethief · Member · May 7, 2013 at 7:02 pm

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  To be clear neither raincoaster nor I provide CSS editing support. Please be patient while waiting for another Volunteer or Staff to assist you.