How Do I Install a WordPress Theme and Step by Step Procedure for it?

Are you looking to give your WordPress website a fresh new look? Installing a WordPress theme is the first step toward creating a visually appealing and functional website. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced user, this guide will walk you through the process of installing a WordPress theme using different methods. By the end of this post, you’ll know how to install a WordPress theme, upload a theme to WordPress, and even install a theme manually via FTP.

Why Choosing the Right WordPress Theme Matters

Your WordPress theme is the foundation of your website’s design and functionality. It determines how your site looks, how users interact with it, and even how it performs in search engines. Whether you’re building a blog, an online store, or a portfolio, choosing the right theme is crucial. Once you’ve found the perfect theme, the next step is to install it. Let’s dive into the step-by-step process.

Pre-WordPress Theme Installation Checklist

Before you install a WordPress theme, it’s important to prepare your website to avoid any issues. Here’s a quick checklist:

1. Backup Your Website: Use a plugin like UpdraftPlus or manually back up your site to avoid data loss.
2. Update WordPress: Ensure your WordPress core, plugins, and PHP version are up to date.
3. Check Theme Compatibility: Verify that the theme is compatible with your WordPress version and plugins.

Once you’ve completed these steps, you’re ready to install your new theme.

Method 1: Install a WordPress Theme via the Dashboard (Easiest Method)

The simplest way to install a WordPress theme is through the WordPress dashboard. Here’s how:

1. Log in to Your WordPress Admin Dashboard: Enter your username and password to access the backend of your site.
2. Navigate to Appearance > Themes > Add New: This will take you to the theme repository.
3. Search for a Theme: Use the search bar to find a theme by name or keyword. You can also filter themes by features (e.g., blog, eCommerce, etc.).
4. Install and Activate the Theme: Click the Install button, and once the installation is complete, click Activate.

That’s it! You’ve successfully installed a new WordPress theme.

More opportunities you will take advantage of if you choose a niche specific template to fit your future plans.

As from the financial viewpoint, WordPress suggests a wide scale collection of themes, ranging from free to expensive ones.

It means that every single WordPress client will be able to choose a reliable template at a price matching his financial stat.

Well, in order to search for and find a theme to be the cornerstone of your site, you can use your WP Admin Dashboard, Appearance, Themes.

Then find Add New button and click on it. Here you will be provided with several theme collections to choose from, like Popular WordPress Themes, Featured WordPress Themes and the like.

You can also use the search functionality to look for a specific template or the one with specific features.

This time we are going to look for and install a WordPress theme of SKT production called SKT Charm Pro

This is one of the methods used for the theme installation. There is also a manual installation possibility, which you might need in case of numerous premium WordPress themes. This method is based on the upload of zip file of the target theme you have purchased.

As for SKT Charm Pro, you can download and unzip skt-charm.zip to your desktop. Now, you are going to use FTP client. Visit wp-content/themes and upload the theme here.

Further, you need go back to your WP Admin Dashboard, Appearance, Themes, Add New and Upload Theme. Choose the zip file of the theme you have already have downloaded to your desktop and click Install Now.

As soon as the theme installation is complete, you will see a success message together with link preview and activation options. Choose to activate and your template will be easily activated.
Now, let’s summarize the basic 3 ways you can use if you wonder how to install a WordPress theme to complement any kind of web content.

Method 2: Upload a WordPress Theme via the Dashboard

If you’ve downloaded a premium or custom theme, you can upload the theme to WordPress directly from your dashboard. Here’s how:

1. Download the Theme .zip File: Purchase or download the theme from a trusted source.
2. Go to Appearance > Themes > Add New > Upload Theme: Click the Upload Theme button.
3. Upload the .zip File: Choose the file from your computer and click Install Now.
4. Activate the Theme: Once the upload is complete, click Activate.

This method is perfect for installing premium themes or custom designs.

Method 3: Install a WordPress Theme Manually via FTP

Log in to your FTP account and browse to folder in wp-content/themes. Unzip the theme files that you have already downloaded and upload Total folder to the server. Go to WP Admin Dashboard, Appearance, Themes and activate the theme.

Depending on the specific theme you have chosen to decorate your website and communicate with your audience, there can be additional options that you will need to configure.

As for the further customization controls, they are also specific to the theme you have chosen.
As for SKT Charm Pro theme that we used as an example, basic settings are located on WP Dashboard, Appearance, Theme Options.

You can upload your logo, change colors and color combinations, manage custom CSS styling, font size and colors, change navigation, play with layout settings, footer and header areas and much more.

Common Issues and Troubleshooting

While installing a WordPress theme is usually straightforward, you might encounter some issues. Here are some common problems and how to fix them:

• Theme Not Appearing After Upload: Ensure the theme folder is correctly uploaded to the /wp-content/themes/ directory.
• “Broken Theme” Errors: Check for compatibility issues with your WordPress version or plugins.
• Upload Limit Exceeded: If the theme file is too large, increase the upload limit in your php.ini file or use FTP.

Best Practices After Installing a WordPress Theme

Once you’ve installed your new theme, follow these best practices to ensure your website looks and performs its best:

1. Customize the Theme: Go to Appearance > Customize to adjust settings like colors, fonts, and layouts.
2. Install Recommended Plugins: Some themes come with recommended plugins for added functionality.
3. Test Responsiveness and Speed: Use tools like Google PageSpeed Insights to ensure your site loads quickly and looks great on all devices.

Conclusion

Installing a WordPress theme is a simple process that can transform the look and feel of your website. Whether you choose to install a WordPress theme via the dashboard, upload a theme to WordPress, or install a theme manually via FTP, this guide has you covered. Remember to follow best practices and test your site after installation to ensure everything works smoothly.

Ready to get started? Explore our collection of premium WordPress themes and give your website the upgrade it deserves!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Can I Install Multiple WordPress Themes?

Yes, you can install multiple themes, but only one can be active at a time. You can switch between themes from the Appearance > Themes section.

2. What Should I Do If the Theme Installation Fails?

Check the file size and ensure it doesn’t exceed your server’s upload limit. If the issue persists, try installing the theme manually via FTP.

3. How Do I Switch to a New Theme Without Losing Content?

Switching themes won’t affect your content, but you may need to reconfigure settings like menus and widgets.