GPL Template Demo Plugin

The WordPress Theme Demo Bar plugin is a versatile tool designed for web designers and developers who want to showcase theme previews conveniently on their WordPress sites. Here's a detailed look at its features and how you can use it effectively:

Features of WordPress Theme Demo Bar Plugin:

1. Preview Without Activation:
   • Allows visitors to preview any theme without activating it on the site. This is useful for showcasing multiple themes without affecting the live site.
2. Placement and Customization:
   • The demo bar can be placed at the top or bottom of the page. You can specify its height and choose whether to fix it when scrolling, ensuring it doesn't interfere with the template viewing experience.
3. Switch Between Templates:
   • Users can easily switch between different templates using the demo bar, facilitating comparison and selection.
4. Enable/Disable and Customization:
   • Provides options to enable or disable the demo bar as needed. It supports customization through additional CSS files to match the demo bar's appearance to your site's design.
5. Visibility Control:
   • Allows hiding specific templates from general viewing if necessary.
6. Template Management:
   • Includes a view counter for each template, helping you track popularity. You can also customize templates by adding links to detailed information, download/purchase options, and more.
7. Shortcodes and Integration:
   • Supports shortcodes for embedding demo previews into posts or pages easily. Integration is also possible via functions like wptdb_output() and wptdb_list_themes() for more advanced customization.
8. Quick Add Button:
   • Provides a quick add button in the post editing toolbar for easy integration of theme demos into content.
9. Widget Integration:
   • Offers a widget for quick addition of the demo bar functionality to your site's sidebar or other widgetized areas.

Installation and Usage:

1. Installation:
   • Upload the plugin files to wp-content/plugins/ directory.
   • Activate the plugin through the WordPress admin panel under Plugins.
2. Settings:
   • Configure settings under Settings > WP Theme Demo Bar in the WordPress admin panel.
   • Customize demo bar appearance, placement, and other preferences according to your needs.
3. Usage:
   • To preview a theme, use the URL format: http://YOUR_SITE/?themedemo=THEME_NAME.
   • To hide the demo bar, add &hidebar to the URL: http://YOUR_SITE/?themedemo=THEME_NAME&hidebar.

Overall, the WordPress Theme Demo Bar plugin simplifies the process of showcasing theme demos effectively on your WordPress site, making it a valuable tool for theme developers and designers aiming to enhance user experience and facilitate theme selection.