How To Install a Theme in WordPress Dashboard
Selecting a website theme is an important part of creating a website. Your theme is the overall look and style of your website. It serves as a representation of your brand and has a direct impact on user experience.
There are two ways on how to install a theme in WordPress dashboard.
Make sure to activate the WordPress theme after installation and customization for the changes to apply on the live website.
- Secure a backup of WordPress website files.
- Secure a backup of WordPress database SQL file.
- Check the details of the new version and make sure that it is compatible with the current WordPress version you are using.
Uploading a Theme in WordPress Dashboard
The steps below are applicable if your theme is purchased outside WordPress.org and you have the copy of the theme file in your computer.
- Log in to your WordPress dashboard via the link yourdomain.com/wp-admin (replace yourdomain.com with the domain of your website) or on any of the methods below depending on your web hosting plan.
- Click Appearance on the menu bar at the left side of the page.
- Click Themes from the drop-down options.
- Click either of the Add New buttons.
- Click the Upload Theme button.
- Click the Choose File button to open your computer files.
- Locate the zip file of the theme and click it.
- Click the Open button.
- Click the Install Now button.
- Click the Live Preview button on the theme to customize it or the Activate button to apply it to your website right away.
Browsing from WordPress Theme Directory
There are a lot of themes in WordPress dashboard to choose from and most of them are free. Follow the steps below on how to look for the theme you have in mind and how to install it:
- Log in to your WordPress dashboard via the link yourdomain.com/wp-admin (replace yourdomain.com with the domain of your website) or on any of the methods below depending on your web hosting plan.
- Click Appearance on the menu bar at the left side of the page.
- Click Themes from the drop-down options.
- Click either of the Add New buttons.
- Choose a theme from the WordPress theme directory in your dashboard. Use the search bar or the filter to make the browsing of themes easier.
- Click the Install button.
- Click the Live Preview button on the theme to customize it or the Activate button to apply it to your website right away.
NOTE: If you need to customize your WordPress theme, create and use a child theme to be safe from any theme version update in the future.
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