There are free and paid themes that users can choose from, making this CMS one of the few best platforms to build business websites and blogs.
We wrote this article if you should change the theme on your WordPress.
It is a straightforward and easy process for the ones who have used WordPress before. However, for new users, it might feel a little cumbersome. A simple mistake can make the site malfunction. So this guide is written for a WordPress newbie. But even experienced WordPress users may find this helpful.
Picking a fresh WordPress theme
Let’s get started.
WordPress’s official repository is where you can find many free WordPress themes, but many WordPress theme developers often have some free themes and sometimes a free lite version of their pro theme. For paid themes, Themeforest is an excellent place to fetch one because you will have numerous choices, and they usually have high quality. But there are many theme developers, and a quick search on Google can also be helpful.
Before picking any theme, ensure that it’s compatible with your setup and your plugin and it features all the functionality you require. Assuming any of these considerations can create problems.
Site backup
A backup is one of the critical steps that no one should never, be ignored. Website backup can be done using plugins or manually. When using plugins for backup, paid ones are the best alternative to enhance efficiency. Alternatively, you can contact your hosting support and request them to back up your website on your behalf. Most web host platforms carry out automated backups daily.
Website cloning
Many means this depends on the amount of traffic, and many never do this. We at Mallorca Graphics think this should always be done. Your website can be down for hours, and you do not want any visitors to visit your site if it’s not working correctly.
Install and test the new WordPress theme on your cloned website
Before installing the WordPress theme on the clone website, make sure error logging is on. Then after the new theme installation, check the following to ensure that the selected theme functions perfectly with your website setup.
- WP_DEBUG
- Plugins
- Test on various browsers
- Responsive or mobile check
Get your new theme active on your website
The final step is to change your WordPress theme. There are two ways to execute this. One of them is moving the cloned site to the live site. However, the second one is the simplest, where you install the new WordPress theme directly on your live website. Always remember to enable maintenance mode to avoid affecting the user experience.
Changing your WordPress theme is simple, but there is a need to be careful. Especially if you own a big website as you cannot afford to take risks. Nonetheless, if you own a small website, these steps are still critical to avoid site malfunction later. Follow the above steps as they are written and enjoy a seamless WordPress theme change.
If you need help, do not hesitate to contact us
