How to import wordpress theme 2018 – How to Import WordPress Themes 2018 is a comprehensive guide that takes you through the process of choosing, installing, customizing, and importing content into your WordPress theme. This guide will equip you with the knowledge and skills needed to transform your website’s appearance and functionality, regardless of your experience level.
We’ll delve into the world of WordPress themes, exploring the different types available, their features, and how to select the perfect theme for your website. You’ll learn how to download and install themes, customize them to match your vision, and even import content from a previous website.
We’ll also address common issues and provide solutions for a seamless theme import experience.
Understanding WordPress Themes
WordPress themes are the foundation of your website’s appearance and functionality. They dictate how your content is displayed, the layout of your pages, and the overall visual style. Themes are essentially pre-designed templates that you can customize to match your brand and requirements.
Free vs. Premium Themes
WordPress themes come in two main categories: free and premium.
- Free themesare available for download from the WordPress Theme Directory. They are often created by individual developers or communities and offer a basic set of features and design options. While free themes can be a good starting point, they may lack the advanced customization options and support of premium themes.
- Premium themesare paid themes developed by professional theme developers. They typically offer more advanced features, a wider range of customization options, and dedicated support from the developers. Premium themes often come with a higher price tag, but they can provide a more robust and professional foundation for your website.
Popular WordPress Themes (2018)
The WordPress theme landscape is constantly evolving, but here are some popular themes from 2018 that are still widely used today:
- Avada: A highly customizable multi-purpose theme with a wide range of features and design options.
- Enfold: Another multi-purpose theme known for its flexibility and user-friendly interface.
- Divi: A popular drag-and-drop theme builder that offers extensive customization options.
- Genesis: A framework-based theme that provides a solid foundation for building custom WordPress websites.
- OceanWP: A lightweight and fast-loading theme with a variety of pre-built demos.
Choosing a WordPress Theme
Selecting the right WordPress theme is crucial for creating a successful website. Here are some key factors to consider:
Criteria for Choosing a Theme
- Purpose of your website: Determine the primary goal of your website (e.g., blog, e-commerce, portfolio) and choose a theme that aligns with that purpose.
- Target audience: Consider the demographics and interests of your target audience when selecting a theme that resonates with their preferences.
- Design aesthetics: Choose a theme that reflects your brand identity and aligns with your visual preferences.
- Features and functionality: Ensure the theme offers the necessary features and functionality to support your website’s requirements.
- Performance and speed: Select a theme that is optimized for performance and loads quickly to provide a seamless user experience.
- Mobile responsiveness: Ensure the theme is responsive and displays correctly on various devices, including smartphones and tablets.
- Customization options: Consider the extent to which you can customize the theme to match your unique brand and requirements.
- Support and documentation: Choose a theme that offers reliable support and comprehensive documentation to help you troubleshoot any issues.
Comparing Popular Themes
| Theme | Purpose | Features | Customization Options | Support |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avada | Multi-purpose | Extensive features, drag-and-drop builder, pre-built demos | Highly customizable | Excellent support |
| Enfold | Multi-purpose | Flexible layout options, responsive design, advanced typography | Wide range of customization options | Good support |
| Divi | Drag-and-drop builder | Easy-to-use interface, pre-built layouts, extensive design elements | Highly customizable | Excellent support |
| Genesis | Framework-based | Solid foundation for custom websites, -friendly, speed optimization | Customization through child themes | Good support |
| OceanWP | Lightweight and fast | Pre-built demos, responsive design, WooCommerce integration | Customization options through theme settings | Good support |
Theme Marketplaces
Theme marketplaces are online platforms where you can find and purchase WordPress themes from various developers. Here are some popular theme marketplaces and their benefits:
- ThemeForest: Offers a vast collection of premium WordPress themes from different developers, with a focus on quality and variety.
- MojoThemes: Specializes in high-quality premium WordPress themes, with a focus on design and functionality.
- Creative Tim: Provides a wide selection of free and premium WordPress themes, with a focus on modern design and responsiveness.
- Elegant Themes: Offers a subscription-based service that grants access to a collection of premium WordPress themes and plugins.
- StudioPress: Known for its Genesis framework-based themes, which are designed for speed, , and security.
Downloading and Installing a Theme: How To Import WordPress Theme 2018
Once you’ve chosen a WordPress theme, you can download and install it on your website. The process is straightforward and can be completed within your WordPress dashboard.
Downloading a Theme, How to import wordpress theme 2018
To download a theme, you can follow these steps:
- Choose a theme marketplace: Select a reputable theme marketplace, such as ThemeForest or MojoThemes.
- Browse themes: Explore the available themes and filter by category, features, or price.
- Select a theme: Once you’ve found a theme that meets your requirements, click on its preview or details page.
- Purchase the theme: If the theme is premium, you’ll need to purchase it before downloading it.
- Download the theme files: After purchasing, you’ll receive a download link for the theme files.
Installing a Theme
To install a theme within your WordPress dashboard, follow these steps:
- Login to your WordPress dashboard: Access your website’s administrative area.
- Navigate to Appearance > Themes: Click on the “Themes” option in the left-hand menu.
- Click on “Add New”: This will open the theme browser.
- Click on “Upload Theme”: This will open a file upload dialog box.
- Select the theme file: Choose the downloaded theme file from your computer.
- Click on “Install Now”: This will start the installation process.
- Activate the theme: Once the theme is installed, click on the “Activate” button to make it live on your website.
Customizing the Theme
Once you’ve installed a WordPress theme, you can customize its appearance and functionality to match your brand and requirements. WordPress provides a range of customization options, and you can also extend theme functionality using plugins.
Theme Customization Options
The WordPress dashboard offers several options for customizing your theme:
- Customizer: The Customizer allows you to make live changes to your website’s appearance, including colors, fonts, layouts, and header/footer elements. You can preview these changes in real-time before saving them.
- Theme settings: Most themes provide their own settings panel where you can adjust specific theme options, such as layout, typography, and color schemes.
- Widgets: Widgets are small blocks of content that you can add to various areas of your website, such as the sidebar or footer. You can use widgets to display recent posts, social media feeds, or other relevant content.
- Menus: WordPress allows you to create custom menus to organize your website’s navigation. You can add pages, posts, or custom links to your menus and control their order and appearance.
Extending Theme Functionality with Plugins
Plugins are small software programs that add new features and functionality to your WordPress website. They can be used to extend your theme’s capabilities and enhance your website’s overall performance.
- Contact forms: Plugins like Contact Form 7 or Gravity Forms allow you to easily create contact forms on your website.
- E-commerce: Plugins like WooCommerce enable you to create an online store and sell products or services.
- optimization: Plugins like Yoast help you optimize your website for search engines.
- Social media integration: Plugins like Jetpack or Social Warfare allow you to integrate social media sharing buttons and feeds into your website.
- Security: Plugins like Wordfence or iThemes Security enhance your website’s security and protect it from threats.
Modifying Theme Appearance
To modify the theme’s appearance, you can follow these steps:
- Access the Customizer: Navigate to Appearance > Customize in your WordPress dashboard.
- Make changes to the theme settings: Adjust colors, fonts, layouts, and other options according to your preferences.
- Preview changes: The Customizer allows you to preview your changes in real-time before saving them.
- Save changes: Once you’re satisfied with the changes, click on the “Publish” or “Save & Publish” button to apply them to your website.
Importing Content
If you’re migrating from a previous website or want to import content from another source, WordPress provides tools and methods for importing content into your new website.
Importing Content from a Previous Website
To import content from a previous website, you can follow these steps:
- Install the Import plugin: Download and install the “WordPress Importer” plugin from the WordPress Plugin Directory.
- Export content from your previous website: Use your previous website’s export function to create a backup file containing your content.
- Import the content file: In your new WordPress dashboard, go to Tools > Import > WordPress and select the exported content file.
- Map the content: The importer will ask you to map the content from your previous website to the corresponding post types and taxonomies in your new website.
- Import the content: Click on the “Submit” button to start the import process.
Import Tools and Limitations
WordPress provides various import tools, each with its limitations. The “WordPress Importer” plugin is designed for importing content from other WordPress websites. Other tools, such as the “CSV Importer” plugin, can be used to import content from CSV files. However, these tools may not support all content types or formats.
Manually Importing Content
If you need to import content that is not supported by import tools, you can manually add it to your website. This may involve creating new posts, pages, or custom post types and manually adding content elements, such as images, videos, or audio files.
Troubleshooting and Support
During the theme import process, you may encounter issues that require troubleshooting. Theme developers typically offer support resources to help you resolve any problems.
Common Issues
Here are some common issues that you may encounter during theme import:
- Theme conflicts: If your website already has other themes or plugins installed, they may conflict with the new theme.
- Missing files or dependencies: The theme files may be incomplete or missing dependencies, preventing the theme from loading correctly.
- Compatibility issues: The theme may not be compatible with your WordPress version or other plugins installed on your website.
- Customization errors: If you make incorrect changes to the theme’s settings or files, it may cause errors or break the website.
Finding Solutions
To find solutions to theme-related problems, you can explore the following resources:
- Theme documentation: Most themes come with documentation that provides troubleshooting tips and answers to common questions.
- Theme developer’s website: The theme developer’s website may offer a support forum, knowledge base, or contact information.
- WordPress support forums: The WordPress support forums are a valuable resource for finding solutions to common WordPress issues, including theme-related problems.
- Online search engines: Use search engines to find articles, tutorials, or community discussions related to the specific theme or issue you’re facing.
Seeking Support from Theme Developers
If you’re unable to resolve a theme-related issue on your own, you can contact the theme developer for support. When seeking support, be sure to provide the following information:
- Theme name and version: Specify the name and version of the theme you’re using.
- WordPress version: Indicate the version of WordPress installed on your website.
- Detailed description of the issue: Provide a clear and concise description of the problem you’re encountering.
- Screenshots or error messages: Include screenshots or error messages that illustrate the issue.
End of Discussion
Importing a WordPress theme in 2018 can be a transformative experience for your website. By following the steps Artikeld in this guide, you can successfully navigate the process, customize your theme, and create a website that reflects your unique brand and vision.
Remember to leverage the resources available to you, including theme documentation, support forums, and community knowledge, to ensure a smooth and enjoyable experience.
FAQ Overview
Can I import a theme from a different website?
While you can import a theme from another website, it’s important to note that the theme’s functionality and appearance might not be compatible with your existing website’s structure and content.
What if I encounter issues during the theme import process?
Don’t worry! You can consult theme documentation, seek support from the theme developer, or browse online forums for solutions to common theme import problems.
Can I use a free theme for my website?
Absolutely! Free themes offer a great starting point, but premium themes often provide more advanced features, customization options, and dedicated support.