WordPress themes are pre-designed templates that determine the overall appearance of your website. Changing your theme can dramatically alter your site’s look and feel without affecting your content (posts, pages, images, etc.). This guide covers two primary methods for installing a WordPress theme.
Method 1: Install from Within WordPress (Theme Directory)
This method is the easiest way to install free themes available in the official WordPress theme directory.
Log In to Your WordPress Dashboard
Access your WordPress admin panel by going to `https://yourwebsite.com/wp-admin` (replace “yourwebsite.com” with your actual domain name). Enter your username and password to log in.
Navigate to the Themes Section
In the left-hand sidebar, hover over “Appearance” and click on “Themes.” This will display your currently installed themes.
Click “Add New”
At the top of the Themes page, click the “Add New” button. This will take you to the WordPress theme directory.
Search for a Theme (Example: Page Builder Framework)
In the search bar (usually in the top-right corner), type the name of the theme you want to install. For this example, we’ll use “Page Builder Framework,” a lightweight and highly customizable theme that works well with page builders like Elementor.
The search results will update as you type. The Page Builder Framework theme should appear in the results.
Click “Install”
Hover your mouse over the thumbnail image of the theme you want to install (Page Builder Framework in this case). Click the “Install” button that appears.
WordPress will download and install the theme files. The speed of this process depends on your internet connection and the size of the theme.
Click “Activate”
Once the installation is complete, the “Install” button will change to “Activate.” Click the “Activate” button to make the new theme live on your website.
You can now visit your website’s front end to see the new theme in action.
Method 2: Download and Install (Upload a .zip file)
This method is used for installing premium themes (purchased from a theme developer) or for installing free themes that you’ve downloaded from a source *other* than the WordPress theme directory (e.g., directly from the theme developer’s website).
Obtain the Theme .zip File
First, you need to obtain the theme’s .zip file. If you purchased a premium theme, you would typically download this file from the theme developer’s website after logging in to your account.
If you’re using a free theme from a source other than the WordPress directory, download the .zip file from that source (e.g., the Page Builder Framework website, GitHub, etc.). *Always download themes from reputable sources to avoid security risks.*
Example: To download the free Page Builder Framework, you can go to the theme repository at `https://wordpress.org/themes/page-builder-framework/`.
Log In and Navigate to Themes
Log in to your WordPress dashboard (`https://yourwebsite.com/wp-admin`) and go to “Appearance” > “Themes.”
Click “Add New” and “Upload Theme”
Click the “Add New” button at the top of the Themes page. Then, click the “Upload Theme” button (also at the top of the page).
Choose and Upload the .zip File
Click the “Choose File” button. Navigate to the location on your computer where you saved the theme’s .zip file (e.g., your Downloads folder or Desktop). Select the .zip file and click “Open.”
Click “Install Now”
Click the “Install Now” button. WordPress will upload the .zip file, unpack it, and install the theme.
Click “Activate”
Once the installation is complete, click the “Activate” link to activate the theme.
Customizing Your Theme (Optional)
After installing and activating your new theme, you’ll likely want to customize its settings to match your preferences and branding. Most themes provide customization options through the WordPress Customizer.
Go to “Appearance” > “Customize” in your WordPress dashboard. This will open the Customizer, where you can adjust various settings such as colors, fonts, layout options, header and footer settings, and more. The specific options available will depend on the theme you’ve installed.
The Page Builder Framework is known for its extensive customization. Experiment to find the best appearance.
Conclusion
Installing a WordPress theme is a straightforward process, whether you choose a free theme from the WordPress directory or upload a premium or externally sourced theme. By following these steps, you can quickly and easily change the visual style of your WordPress website. Remember to explore your theme’s customization options to fine-tune its appearance and functionality.