[theme-reviewers] Upselling standards?

[Josh Pollock]

How I understand it the only guideline that applies is that theme's are
limited to one front facing credit link. Many themes have pretty heavy
handed upselling on the backend. While I think it can get annoying fast we
shouldn't be limiting the ability of developers to market their products at
their users.


On Fri, Oct 4, 2013 at 2:50 PM, Srikanth Koneru <tskk79 at gmail.com> wrote:

> It was said to be okay to have a sub page in appearance section that has
> list of other themes by the author.
>
>
> On Sat, Oct 5, 2013 at 12:17 AM, Bruce Wampler <weavertheme at gmail.com>wrote:
>
>> I have been under the impression that while it is acceptable to upsell
>> pro versions of themes, and even related theme add-ons, from withing a
>> repository hosted theme, that the visibility and number of these links was
>> not supposed to be overwhelming, and, at the very least, only related to
>> the specific theme.
>>
>> I've just noticed that the latest version of Responsive from Cyberchimps
>> is what I would call way overboard. It adds notices to the Plugins admin
>> page, it add two extra menu links on the Appearances admin menu, and
>> displays a large page full of upsell links to several other themes that are
>> not related to Responsive.
>>
>> The only consistency I can see is that all the links are in fact to the
>> Cyberchimp url (or subdomains). None appear on the visitor side - just the
>> admin, and at least some have hide options.
>>
>> So, is this the new standard for advertising upsells? It seems a bit over
>> the edge to me - especially the links to other non-related  themes. I
>> personally would think the number and number of places the upsell ads
>> appear would offend people using the theme, but that is a marketing issue.
>> But selling stuff not directly related to the theme on the theme's admin
>> pages is beyond what I thought was allowed for upselling.
>>
>> If a theme house wants to upsell other stuff, do in on the home site, not
>> in the repository hosted free version of an unrelated theme. Even a simple
>> link to "See our other great stuff" - but not right in the theme itself.
>> Otherwise, I'm afraid we will see more and more themes that have more
>> advertising pages than admin options.
>>
>> But if this is okay, I'll be happy to go along and add more upsell links
>> to unrelated themes and plugins I have, too. (Of course, all GPL.)
>>
>> Bruce Wampler
>>
>> Weaver II Theme
>> Aspen Theme
>>
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>>
>
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