Is this a good WP template for this site?

[KempRugeLawGroup]

I need some advice, please. My cousin wants to take his site; http://www.gaport.com/ and move it to this wordpress theme http://themeforest.net/item/elvyre-retina-ready-html5-template/6639095. I have two reservations about this, but before I say anything I'd like the community's feedback, please.

1. It's a brand new theme. It's not even out for two weeks. That strikes me as a giant red flag.

** Just to clarify, i's not a new theme; it's new for WP.

2. It only costs $15. I can't tell what's wrong with this theme, but "you get what you paid for" is a cliche for a reason, and that price seems way too low for something quality.

Are these legitimate concerns? Do you all have any recommendations for a theme that might suit him better? I'd appreciate any and all feedback.

Thanks,

Ruben

[lautman]

Reuben,

My biggest reservation is a global one about using off the shelf themes for WordPress (it probably applies to other platforms as well):  All of the options and variables can really slow down the theme.  Sure, you might be able to choose from 5 different headers for each page, but that means not only is there a call to the server to load the header, there is an additional one to check which header needs to be loaded.

Sometimes the issues that cause problems are subtle... what will happen if you have more menu items than in the demo.. stuff like that.

As for the "get what you pay for", I'm not sure that this is always the case. Themeforest sets the price for the theme, not the developer, so they use whatever magical formula they have... maybe it has to do with the number of options available.

On the other hand, it's just $15 and some time to configure the site.  Since the site will move to WP anyway (I assume) the work to transfer the content is not lost.  If it sucks, just buy another one, or get someone to code a custom one for you.  A word of caution though... avoid using any built-in shortcodes that come with a specific theme.  When you changes themes, they don't work, and all the formatting is lost.  Better to use an independent shortcode plugin, or style using CSS directly.

Hope that helps.

[DeanAndrews]

I do like to give new themes a chance to bed in and get some feedback first so I agree with you on that one. Re the cost this could be an attempt to get some sales in on the theme to boost it's popularity.

Side note: I have just started using this one http://themeforest.net/item/impreza-retina-responsive-wordpress-theme/6434280 as it has the visual composer built in (a separate plugin which you can further extend - http://codecanyon.net/item/visual-composer-page-builder-for-wordpress/242431), it's well written and I am raving about it. Better that Avada in my personal opinion. (No affiliate link, no personal or commercial interest in my recommendation)

Sure you know already - Use a child theme

[mrodriguez1440]

Have you checked out either Genesis or DIYThemes?  I'm using DIYThemes, and find it to be great.

[benjaminmarcinc]

I bought these layouts before, its html 5 not wordpress i believe, your just buying the psd and you have to cut it up and lay it out. It comes with everything you need like CSS and fonts im pretty sure but i dont think this one is wordpress.

[KempRugeLawGroup]

I'm not sure if he has or not, (it's not for me) but I will let him know.

Thanks!

[KempRugeLawGroup]

It's not a wordpress theme yet, but they are supposed to have one in the next week or so.