Lately, considered one of our readers requested us find out how to correctly change a WordPress theme on their web site with out breaking something.
WordPress makes it tremendous straightforward to vary and handle themes. Nonetheless, it’s essential to do not forget that altering the looks of your dwell web site is a significant occasion. You could preserve sure issues in thoughts earlier than and after you alter a theme so that you don’t lose any knowledge and web site visitors.
On this article, we’ll present you find out how to change a WordPress theme with a step-by-step guidelines.
Why Change a WordPress Theme?
It’s possible you’ll need to change the theme in your WordPress web site to make it higher match your area of interest.
For instance, in case you run a style weblog, then you definately would possibly need to change to a theme with the fashion of an expert style web site.
Switching to a distinct theme may give your web site a recent look, improve the consumer expertise, and even enhance your web site’s Search engine marketing by making it simpler for search engines like google to crawl and index your content material.
Plus, some WordPress themes include built-in options that you could be want in your web site. As an example, some themes embody options for eCommerce, membership websites, and portfolios.
Having stated that, let’s see find out how to correctly change a WordPress theme in your web site. Right here’s a fast overview of what you’ll be taught on this article:
Issues to Do Earlier than Altering a WordPress Theme
Whilst you can simply change a theme with just some clicks, you have to take some precautionary steps earlier than beginning this course of.
We advocate that you just undergo the next guidelines to make sure that the method of fixing your WordPress theme goes easily and that you just don’t find yourself shedding essential knowledge.
1. Copy Snippets from Your Present Theme
Some intermediate WordPress customers prefer to customise their web site by including code snippets on to the theme’s capabilities.php file.
Since these modifications have been made as soon as, individuals often neglect about them.
Should you or your internet developer made these modifications, then be certain to undergo the information of your present theme and observe all the extra code you’ve added beforehand. This can let you add these snippets later into your new theme’s capabilities.php file or a site-specific WordPress plugin.
Professional Tip: We advocate at all times including code to your web site utilizing WPCode, which is one of the best WordPress code snippets plugin available on the market. This fashion, once you change to a distinct theme, you gained’t have to fret about copying and including code snippets.
For extra particulars, simply see our information on find out how to correctly add customized code in WordPress.
2. Take a look at Load Time
Earlier than altering your theme, it’s best to verify the load time of your web site. This can assist you simply examine the variations within the web page load time after you make modifications to your web site.
Bear in mind, WordPress pace is a crucial consider consumer expertise and Search engine marketing, so it’s essential to ensure that the brand new theme is quicker than your earlier one.
You possibly can verify your web site pace by utilizing a WordPress pace take a look at software. For extra directions, see our information on find out how to run a web site pace take a look at.
Just be sure you take a look at the load time of the homepage and likewise a few of your inside pages.
3. Don’t Lose Any Monitoring Code
Some customers add their analytics monitoring code on to their theme information. Additionally, some WordPress themes let you add AdSense or Analytics code of their settings panels.
One of the vital frequent errors newcomers make is to miss these code snippets.
You could just be sure you copy all of the monitoring code so you possibly can add it to your new web site after altering the theme.
To future-proof this, we at all times advocate customers set up Google Analytics utilizing a plugin like MonsterInsights. This plugin helps you to view the analytics and studies immediately out of your WordPress dashboard with out having so as to add any monitoring code to the theme information.
However, for different monitoring codes like adverts, we advocate utilizing WPCode. For detailed directions, see our tutorial on find out how to correctly add Google AdSense to WordPress.
4. Make a Full Backup
It’s at all times beneficial to again up your posts, photographs, plugins, and the database earlier than altering your theme.
You should utilize a WordPress backup plugin like Duplicator to create a backup of your complete web site. Just be sure you obtain this backup to your laptop earlier than transferring ahead.
This step will guarantee that you may get better your web site simply if something goes unsuitable.
For extra data, you possibly can see our newbie’s information on find out how to again up your WordPress web site.
5. Sidebar Content material
Sidebars are used for including totally different widgets together with social hyperlinks, ads, subscription kinds, or a contact kind.
Make an observation of those modifications. If there may be any customized code added to a widget, then be sure you copy and paste this code in your laptop so that you could reuse it in your new theme.
6. Preserve Your Website in Upkeep Mode
It’s a very good observe to place your web site in upkeep mode if you end up making modifications to it. This will stop customers from seeing an incomplete web site and guarantee a easy transition to a distinct theme.
We advocate utilizing SeedProd for this goal.
It’s the finest WordPress web page builder available on the market that means that you can simply create coming quickly and upkeep mode pages on your web site.
First, it’s essential to set up and activate the SeedProd plugin. Should you need assistance, then observe our step-by-step information on find out how to set up a WordPress plugin.
Notice: You should utilize SeedProd’s free plan to allow upkeep mode. Nonetheless, upgrading to the premium model will unlock extra options like pre-built templates, superior customization options, and electronic mail advertising software integrations.
Subsequent, head over to the SeedProd » Touchdown Pages display screen out of your WordPress dashboard and click on the ‘Arrange a Upkeep Mode Web page’ button.
After that, you have to choose a template on your upkeep mode web page. You too can use a clean template and create a web page from scratch.
To decide on a template, merely hover your mouse over a thumbnail after which click on the verify icon.
Now you can use SeedProd drag-and-drop web page builder to customise your web page. Merely add new blocks by dragging them from the menu in your left.
SeedProd helps you to add normal blocks for textual content, photographs, buttons, and headlines. It additionally provides superior blocks, together with contact kinds, giveaways, social sharing choices, and rather more.
Don’t neglect to save lots of your modifications by clicking the ‘Save’ button within the prime proper nook.
After that, head over to the ‘Web page Settings’ tab and alter the Web page Standing by toggling it to ‘Publish.’
When you try this, click on the ‘X’ icon on the prime left nook of the display screen to exit the drag-and-drop builder. This can open a immediate on the display screen asking you to activate the upkeep mode.
From right here, merely click on the ‘Sure, Activate’ button to show the upkeep mode to the customers visiting your web site.
Should you want extra inspiration to create a upkeep mode web page, then you possibly can see our record of upkeep web page concepts that you need to use in your WordPress web site.
The right way to Set up a WordPress Theme
After following the above precautions, the subsequent step is to put in a theme that you just need to use in your web site.
When you’ve chosen a theme, it’s essential to set up it in your WordPress web site. You should utilize any of the next 3 strategies to put in a WordPress theme:
Utilizing the WordPress theme search choice
Importing a theme out of your WordPress dashboard
Putting in a theme utilizing FTP
For extra data, you possibly can verify our newbie’s information on find out how to set up a WordPress theme.
There are literally thousands of free and paid WordPress themes out there so that you can decide from. The truth that you’re studying this text means you’ve possible discovered a very good theme on your wants.
Nonetheless, in case you haven’t already chosen a theme, then we are able to extremely advocate the next WordPress themes:
1. Astra
Astra is a light-weight and speed-optimized WordPress theme that’s appropriate with fashionable web page builder plugins like SeedProd, Beaver Builder, Divi, and Visible Composer.
It’s a translation and RTL-ready theme. It means that you can begin your web site in any language and even create a multilingual web site.
Astra may also be built-in with the WooCommerce plugin, so you possibly can simply create a web-based retailer with out a lot trouble. You possibly can even customise the header, footer, structure, and extra utilizing the WordPress Theme Customizer.
Our favourite factor about Astra is all of the starter web site templates it comes with. It has greater than 250 choices for every kind of niches, together with enterprise web sites, on-line shops, and private blogs.
2. Divi
Divi is likely one of the hottest WordPress themes available on the market. It’s powered by the drag-and-drop Divi Builder, which lets you simply construct any type of web site.
It comes with over 2000 pre-built layouts and 200 totally different content material components. You possibly can simply customise every ingredient of your web site and see the modifications in actual time.
Plus, Divi can be tremendous Search engine marketing-friendly and can assist your web site rank greater in Google and different search engines like google.
3. SeedProd
SeedProd is one of the best WordPress theme builder available on the market, with over 1 million energetic customers.
We already talked about you need to use it to create a upkeep mode web page. However it’s also possible to use it to create a customized WordPress theme with out writing any code.
SeedProd comes with a drag-and-drop builder and 300+ professionally designed templates to get you began. You possibly can simply customise your theme with ready-made blocks, good sections, and WordPress template tags.
It additionally exhibits a real-time preview of all of the modifications on the fitting aspect of the display screen, so you possibly can see how your web site will seem to customers earlier than it’s even revealed.
4. StudioPress Genesis
Genesis is the most well-liked WordPress theme framework constructed by the StudioPress crew. You possibly can create wonderful web sites utilizing the Genesis framework and different StudioPress themes.
In case you don’t know, StudioPress is part of WP Engine, the most well-liked managed WordPress internet hosting firm.
The most effective half is you’ll get 35+ StudioPress themes without cost in case you join any WP Engine internet hosting plan.
5. OceanWP
OceanWP is a responsive and multi-purpose WordPress theme. It provides a number of demo templates which have been constructed with totally different professions and companies in thoughts.
It’s appropriate with the foremost web page builder plugins. You too can use totally different extensions to take your web site to the subsequent degree.
The right way to Change WordPress Theme With out Going Reside
When you’ve put in your new theme, you’re prepared to modify themes.
Nonetheless, it’s at all times beneficial to check a theme earlier than switching to it in your dwell web site.
This fashion, you’ll have the ability to verify the compatibility of the brand new theme along with your present plugins and ensure that all the things is working correctly.
There are 3 ways that you may change your WordPress theme with out going dwell.
1. Reside Preview Choice
By default, WordPress means that you can preview a theme in your web site with out altering it.
To try this, head over to the Look » Themes web page from the WordPress admin sidebar.
On this web page, you’ll see all of the put in themes in your web site. Go forward and hover your mouse over the theme you need to preview and click on on the ‘Reside Preview’ button.
This can open your new theme within the WordPress Theme Customizer.
Now you can take a look at your new theme and ensure that all the things is working correctly.
2. Theme Switcha Plugin
An alternative choice is to make use of the Theme Switcha plugin. It means that you can preview your new theme with out activating it.
First, it’s essential to set up and activate this free plugin. For detailed directions, see our step-by-step information on find out how to set up a WordPress plugin.
Upon activation, go to the Settings » Theme Switcha web page from the WordPress dashboard and verify the field subsequent to the ‘Allow theme switching’ choice.
When you try this, scroll to the underside of the web page to click on the ‘Save Adjustments’ button.
This plugin will now show all of your put in themes on the backside of this web page.
From right here, merely click on in your new theme to preview it in a brand new internet browser tab.
3. Take a look at Your Theme on a Staging Website
You too can take a look at your WordPress theme with out making it dwell by making a staging web site. This web site is a clone of your dwell web site and is used for testing any type of modifications.
You possibly can simply do that by utilizing your internet hosting supplier’s built-in staging web site function. For this tutorial, we will likely be utilizing Bluehost.
First, you have to go to your Bluehost cPanel and click on the ‘My Websites’ button. When you try this, change to the ‘Plugins’ tab and activate the The Bluehost Plugin.
Subsequent, go to your WordPress dashboard and head to the Bluehost » Staging web page.
From right here, click on on the ‘Create Staging Website’ button to proceed.
Bluehost will now put together the staging surroundings for you.
After that, it’s going to show the ‘Staging Website’ part the place you have to verify the ‘Not presently enhancing’ field.
This can open a immediate on the display screen asking you to modify to your staging web site.
From right here, click on the ‘Swap’ button.
When you try this, you possibly can head to the Look » Themes web page from the dashboard and activate any theme that you just need to take a look at with out worrying about it affecting your dwell web site.
Then, when you’re proud of the theme, you possibly can simply push the modifications dwell.
For extra particulars, you possibly can see our newbie’s information on find out how to simply create a staging surroundings for a WordPress web site.
The right way to Change WordPress Theme on a Reside Website
After you could have examined your new theme, it’s time to start out the method of switching the theme in your WordPress web site.
To do that, go to the Look » Themes web page from the WordPress admin sidebar.
As soon as you’re there, simply hover the mouse cursor over the theme you need to use after which click on the ‘Activate’ button to vary the WordPress theme.
Now, you possibly can go to the homepage of your web site to see the brand new theme in motion.
The right way to Change WordPress Theme Manually
Typically, an error could make your WordPress admin space inaccessible. In that case, you gained’t have the ability to change the theme utilizing the above methodology.
To get better your web site, it’s essential to restore it from backup or troubleshoot the WordPress error inflicting the issue.
Nonetheless, in case you don’t have a backup, then you possibly can change the theme manually with the assistance of phpMyAdmin.
This methodology means that you can inform WordPress which theme to make use of by altering the knowledge within the database.
First, it’s essential to hook up with your web site utilizing an FTP shopper and go to the /wp-content/themes/ folder.
Right here, you’ll have the ability to see all of the themes which are presently put in in your web site. You too can set up a WordPress theme by way of FTP in case you don’t see it.
Subsequent, you need to write down the folder identify of the theme you need to use as a result of you will have it later.
After that, head over to the cPanel of your WordPress internet hosting account. For this tutorial, we will likely be utilizing Bluehost. Nonetheless, your cPanel could look totally different relying on the internet hosting service that you just use.
On this web page, scroll right down to the phpMyAdmin part and click on the ‘Handle’ button subsequent to it.
As soon as you’re in phpMyAdmin, you’ll see an inventory of databases on the left aspect of the display screen. From right here, click on on the database that you’re utilizing on your WordPress web site.
This can open all of the database tables in the fitting column of the display screen. Now, go forward and click on on the wp_options desk to open it up.
Notice: By default, WordPress makes use of wp_ because the prefix for the desk names. Nonetheless, it’s attainable to have a distinct database prefix, as proven within the picture.
This can open an inventory of different information that have been saved within the wp_options desk.
From right here, you have to find the template and stylesheet rows in the fitting panel.
When you try this, click on on the ‘Edit’ hyperlink within the template row to open the editor.
Right here, it’s essential to change the worth within the option_value subject to the theme identify that you just need to use.
It’s often the identical because the folder identify within the /wp-content/themes/ folder that you just copied earlier.
As soon as you’re accomplished, click on on the ‘Go’ button to save lots of the modifications. Subsequent, go forward and repeat the identical course of for the stylesheet row.
After making modifications to each rows, you possibly can go to your web site to see the brand new theme in motion.
Issues to Do After Altering Your Theme
When you’ve modified the theme in your web site, it’s essential to deal with sure issues earlier than turning off upkeep mode.
You possibly can take a look at the next guidelines of issues to do after altering your WordPress theme.
1. Take a look at Your Web site
First, it’s essential to ensure that all of the functionalities, plugins, and widgets are working correctly in your web site.
It is best to make investments a while to check your web site and take a look at various things together with the posts, remark part, photographs, and make contact with kind.
As soon as you’re glad with how your web site seems to be and works, you possibly can transfer to the subsequent step.
2. Cross Browser Compatibility
Browsers tend to point out sure issues in a different way.
To ensure that your web site seems to be good in each main browser, it’s best to take a look at your web site in numerous internet browsers, together with Google Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Web Explorer.
3. Add Monitoring Code
After you’ve examined the options and the cross-browser compatibility, it’s best to add your analytics and AdSense monitoring code to your web site.
You should utilize the MonsterInsights plugin so as to add the Google Analytics monitoring code. This can let you correctly arrange analytics and think about detailed web site stats proper inside your WordPress dashboard.
For extra particulars, see our information on find out how to set up Google Analytics in WordPress.
For including Google AdSense monitoring code, you possibly can learn our information on find out how to correctly add Google AdSense to your WordPress web site.
4. Flip Off Upkeep Mode
Now you can disable upkeep mode in your web site to make it go dwell.
In case you are utilizing the SeedProd plugin, merely go to the SeedProd » Touchdown Pages display screen out of your WordPress dashboard and click on the toggle to ‘Inactive’ to show off the upkeep mode.
5. Take a look at Loading Time
Upon altering your theme, we advocate utilizing the IsItWP Web site SpeedTest Software once more to check the loading time of your homepage.
Subsequent, examine it to the load time when your previous theme was put in. Should you see any main variations, then you possibly can observe our information to enhance WordPress pace.
6. Monitor Bounce Price
After switching themes, it’s best to monitor the bounce fee of your web site.
In case your new theme isn’t user-friendly and troublesome to navigate, then it might enhance the bounce fee and drive guests away out of your web site.
You possibly can add associated posts, fashionable posts widgets, and breadcrumbs to scale back the bounce fee and enhance web page views.
7. Ask for Suggestions
You too can ask your customers for suggestions and strategies on find out how to enhance your web site design. You should utilize survey kinds or on-line polls to collect consumer enter.
For instance, you would possibly use consumer suggestions so as to add a two-question survey immediate in your web site. For detailed directions, see our tutorial on find out how to create a survey in WordPress.
You possibly can share the brand new design along with your subscribers utilizing an electronic mail advertising service and ask them for his or her strategies. This can assist you to get concepts for what they wish to see improved.
Bonus: Replace a WordPress Theme With out Dropping Customization
After you have switched to a distinct theme and customised it in accordance with your liking, it would be best to preserve that theme commonly up to date to the newer variations.
Nonetheless, once you replace a theme, you possibly can lose a number of the customization settings. For instance, you’ll lose all of the code that you’ve got added to the theme’s capabilities.php file, stylesheet, or templates.
Nonetheless, you possibly can simply replace a WordPress theme with out shedding all of your customization by creating a baby theme.
This theme will inherit the dad or mum theme’s performance, options, and magnificence. You possibly can then customise the kid theme with out making any modifications to the unique one.
Subsequent, you have to establish the entire modifications you made to your theme and replica them over to the kid theme. The simplest method to do that is by evaluating your previous and new theme information utilizing software program like WinMerge or Kaleidoscope.
When you make the modifications, merely export the customizer settings from the dad or mum theme and import them to the kid theme.
Upon doing that, you possibly can preview your modifications within the customizer and click on the ‘Save & Publish’ button to make these modifications dwell.
For extra detailed directions, see our tutorial on find out how to replace a WordPress theme with out shedding customization.
One other strategy to replace your theme with out shedding any customization is to at all times add your customized code with WPCode. It’s the finest WordPress code snippet plugin available on the market that makes it tremendous straightforward and protected so as to add customized code to your web site.
When utilizing this plugin, you gained’t have to fret about shedding the customized code in your capabilities.php file, stylesheets, or templates once you replace your theme.
It is because the code will likely be saved in WPCode and can mechanically be executed in your web site. For particulars, see our full WPCode overview.
We hope this step-by-step information helped you correctly change your WordPress theme. You might also need to see our newbie’s information on find out how to use the WordPress theme customizer and our prime picks for the must-have WordPress plugins for enterprise web sites.
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