Whether y'all're creating a new website or redesigning an existing i, WordPress themes brand it quick and easy to add together character to your site.

WordPress themes are templates and stylesheets created by web designers and developers that are available to download directly to your site. They cut out the difficult parts of website blueprint, like coding, then y'all can focus on creating and publishing engaging content.

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Both WordPress and third-party sources offer a myriad of gratis and premium themes for you to download. The only work y'all'll need to practice is install and customize it.

Here'southward a complete guide to installing a WordPress theme on your website.

Installing a WordPress Theme Through the Theme Directory

Installing a WordPress theme tin can improve the wait and operation of your website. The theme directory on WordPress allows you to search for and install a gratis theme for WordPress.

i. Log in to your WordPress account.

To begin, log in to your WordPress account.

two. Navigate to Appearance > Themes.

On the bill of fare on the left side of the dashboard, hover your mouse over Appearance, and select Themes within that option box.

WordPress navigation to see theme options.

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3. On the Themes folio, select Add New at the pinnacle of the folio.

Add a new theme in the theme builder on WordPress.

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4. Choose a theme.

Later on clicking on the Add New push button, y'all can select from featured themes, pop themes, or latest themes. You can fifty-fifty search for themes with specific features, such as themes with pasty posts or total width templates; layouts, such equally grid layouts or two-column layouts; and subject, such as blogs, eCommerce, or photography.

Find specific themes with features on WordPress.

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5. Click Download to brainstorm the installation process.

When you've chosen a theme, hover over the preview image of the theme. You'll have the option to click More Info to learn nigh the theme'due south features and preview the theme, or you can click Download to begin the installation process.

Installing a WordPress theme with the theme builder.

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6. Click Activate one time complete.

The theme volition accept a few minutes to install. After installing, you'll receive a message that the installation was successful. But the theme isn't live on your website just even so! Be sure to select Activate for the theme to appear on your site.

Successful installation message from WordPress.

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Installing a WordPress Theme Using the Upload Method

If y'all have constitute a premium or custom theme from a 3rd-party, you tin can easily upload it using the WordPress dashboard with simply a few steps:

one. Ensure you have the .zero file for the theme you want.

Starting time, download the .zip file you bought in the theme marketplace or commercial provider.

two. Navigate to Appearance > Themes.

Then, log in to your WordPress business relationship and get to Appearance in the card on the left of the dashboard and select Themes.

Using the WordPress dashboard to get to the themes.

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3. On the themes page, select Add together New at the acme of the page.

Add New button to upload a WordPress theme.

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4. After clicking on the Add New button, select the Upload Theme push button.

Upload Theme button to upload your own theme on a WordPress site.

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5. Upload and install the file.

Later on selecting Upload Theme, click Choose File. Select the theme .zip folder you've downloaded, then click Install Now.

Choose a file to upload your theme on WordPress.

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six. Click Activate in one case complete.

After clicking Install, a message volition announced that the theme installation was successful. Click Activate to make the theme live on your website.

Successful installation message after uploading a WordPress theme.

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Installing a WordPress Theme With File-Transfer Protocol (FTP)

If you have chosen a complex, robust theme with large files, it might be too large to upload manually. In this instance, you'll need to apply FTP to upload the theme. There are six steps to installing your WordPress theme using FTP.

one. Download FTP Client to your computer.

To begin this process, you will need to download an FTP Client to your computer. This is a software tool that allows you to access and add or delete files on your website server.

2. Create an FTP business relationship through your hosting provider.

Next, you lot'll need to gain admission to your hosting provider account through the FTP Client. Usually, you will have to gear up your own FTP user business relationship within your hosting dashboard, all the same, information technology is a dissimilar process for every hosting provider. Typically, the hosting provider gives you a username and password when y'all brand a new account, which you lot'll need when creating your FTP Client account.

three. Download your theme and unzip the file.

If you don't already have your theme file downloaded to your figurer, download information technology at present. Certain companies provide more than in the download binder than yous need to upload your theme, then exist sure to just download the .zip file. Once you've downloaded your files, y'all'll need to unzip and compress your file. You tin can do this past simply correct-clicking the .nothing file, and so selecting Excerpt.

four. Upload the theme folder to WordPress to install.

Within the FTP Client, notice the root of your WordPress install. Adjacent, become into the wp-content folder, and select Themes. Upload the entire folder you unzipped hither.

Choosing a theme within the FTP client.

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five. Actuate the theme from your WordPress dashboard.

After y'all've uploaded the theme folder using the FTP Client, navigate back to the WordPress themes section on your dashboard. You should see your new theme equally an choice under your downloaded themes. Select the new theme and click Actuate to make the theme live on your website.

Activating a FTP theme on WordPress.

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6. Add plugins to your WordPress site.

After you've activated your theme, exist sure to add some plugins to add even more than functionality to your site. There are thousands of available plugins that tin assist yous with everything from improving SEO to capturing the contact information of visitors to a page.

A smashing plugin to become started with is the costless HubSpot WordPress plugin. It allows you to manage contacts, follow leads, add forms and chat, track conversions, build newsletters, and more than.

Create an Bonny Website With a New WordPress Theme

A cohesive and on-brand theme determines whether visitors will stay long plenty to engage with your content or brand a buy. Whether you've found a free theme in the WordPress directory or uploaded a premium or custom theme manually, these steps will setup your website to attract and convert prospects.

Editor'southward note: This mail service was originally published in February 2022 and has been updated for comprehensiveness.

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Originally published Feb 8, 2022 7:00:00 AM, updated Feb 26 2021