Installing a WordPress theme is essential when creating a unique and dynamic website. This process can feel overwhelming if you’re new to website development. However, fear not; this guide breaks it down into simple, actionable steps. Let’s explore three techniques to get your website up and running with a new look.
The current article is "6.2. Installing WP Themes" of our Complete SEO Guide Box.
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If you have caching enabled, you must clean all your caches after updating your theme.
Contents
Installing a WordPress Theme from the WordPress Directory
The easiest way to start installing a WordPress theme is through the WordPress Theme Directory.
The first step requires you to log in to your WordPress admin panel.
On the left menu side, hover with the mouse cursor over [Appearance], then click on [Themes].
Find the [Add New] button at the top. Clicking this will lead you to a vast directory of themes.
Browse through or use the search function to find a theme that suits your vision.
In our Complete SEO Guide Box, we’ll be using the Astra Theme.
Let’s continue installing a WordPress theme.
Search “Astra”.
Hover over the “Astra” theme.
Click [Install] on your chosen theme and then [Activate] once the installation concludes.
You have now installed your new theme.
You can also browse the WordPress Directory of Themes outside your WordPress installation.
Uploading a Pre-downloaded Theme
While the WordPress Theme Directory offers many choices, sometimes you might prefer a theme from an external source. This calls for the second method of installing a WordPress theme – uploading a pre-downloaded theme.
After downloading a theme file (usually in .zip format) from a trustworthy source, navigate to your WordPress admin panel and go to
"Appearance" > "Themes"
Again, click “Add New,” but this time, you’ll select the “Upload Theme” option at the top of the screen.
From here, click “Choose File,” find the file, and click “Install Now”. Upon successful installation, click “Activate.” Now, your unique theme is up and running!
FTP Method for Installing a WordPress Theme
Sometimes, server restrictions may impede theme installation directly from the dashboard. This is where the third technique of installing a WordPress theme comes into play – the FTP (File Transfer Protocol) method.
For this, download and extract the theme file, yielding a directory named after the theme. Now, using an FTP client (like FileZilla), access your website and navigate to the
/wp-content/themes/directory. Upload the theme folder into this directory.
Once the upload completes, return to your WordPress admin panel and navigate to
"Appearance" > "Themes"
Your newly uploaded theme will appear here.
Click “Activate,” and your theme is now live!
Read More
You can read more about Installing WordPress Themes in WordPress Docs.
Conclusion
Regardless of the technique used, always verify the reliability of your theme source and its compatibility with your WordPress version when installing a WordPress theme. This ensures a smooth and hassle-free experience while creating the perfect digital space for your needs.
The current article is "6.2. Installing WP Themes" of our Complete SEO Guide Box.
Previous Article: 6.1. Selecting WP Theme. Next Article: 6.3. Removing WP Themes
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