If you are looking to build a website using WordPress but dread installing a WordPress theme, know that there is nothing to be afraid of or worried about.
In this post, we’ll share step-by-step instructions on how to install a WordPress theme. There are three different ways to install a WP theme, and you can choose the method that suits your needs the best.
Let’s get started!
Method 1: Installing a WordPress theme from the WordPress.org themes directory
If you don’t want to bother browsing WP theme vendors and googling ‘how to install a WordPress theme’, you can choose and install a free WP theme in the WordPress.org themes directory. The best thing about this method is that you can find the themes in this directory by logging into your WordPress Admin panel:
1. Log in to the WordPress Admin panel (WordPress Dashboard).
2. Navigate to Appearance → Themes.
3. Click the Add New button.
4. Choose a WordPress theme. (On this page, you’ll be able to see filters such as Popular, Latest, and Favorites. You’ll also be able to search a theme by its name or feature your theme must include.)
5. Hover over the theme to reveal the Install and Preview buttons.
6. Click the Install button so the installation process can begin.
Once the theme is installed, you’ll need to activate it. To activate the theme, hover over the installed theme and click the Activate button. And that’s it!
Note: Some themes in the WordPress.org directory require you to configure them. So, after the installation process is complete, you may be asked to install must-have WP plugins, review your theme’s setting, etc.
Method 2: How to install a WordPress theme using the ‘upload method’ in the WP Admin panel
If you want to install a theme that cannot be found in the WordPress.org directory, like a custom theme from a theme vendor, you’ll need to upload it to your WordPress account.
Before you upload the theme, you’ll first need to download it from the theme creator’s website. The theme is usually packed as a .zip file. Next, go through these steps of the ‘how to install a WordPress theme’ flow:
1. Log in to the WordPress Admin panel (WordPress Dashboard)
2. Navigate to Appearance → Themes.
3. Click the Add New button at the top of the screen.
4. Click the Upload Theme button.
5. Click on Choose from and select the .zip file you downloaded earlier.
6. Click on the Install Now button.
Once the theme is installed, a ‘Theme installed successfully’ message will appear. Once again, you need to click on the Activate link, to start using a theme on your WordPress website.
Note: In some cases, when you unpack the theme .zip file, you’ll end up with two additional .zip files – a Parent theme .zip file and a Child theme .zip file. To build your WordPress website, you will need to install both themes and activate a Child theme.
Method 3: Installing a WordPress theme using an FTP client
An FTP (File Transfer Protocol) is a protocol that allows you to transfer files from your computer to your website’s hosting account.
Before uploading a theme , you’ll need to install and set up an FTP client on your computer.
Here are the steps on how to install a WordPress using an FTP client:
1. Access your web host server, using an FTP client.
2. Download the theme .zip file.
3. Unzip the file.
4. Connect to your WordPress hosting using an FTP client.
5. On the left side of your screen, you will see folders on your local machine, and on the right side, you will see the server content. On the right side, locate your WordPress installation folder and upload the theme folder into the ..wp-content/themes/ (you can use the drag and drop method).
6. Once the upload is complete, access your WordPress admin panel.
7. Navigate to Appearance → Themes. You should be able to see the theme you’ve just uploaded.
8. To activate the theme, click the Activate button. And that’s it; you have successfully installed a theme.
Final thoughts
We hope that this post helped you install a WordPress theme. If you are having trouble with Themes Kingdom theme installation, feel free to get in touch一we’ll be happy to install a theme for you.