Install WordPress theme - how it works

You can design WordPress individually without much effort. In this practical tip, we explain how to install a WordPress theme.

Install WordPress theme via theme directory

Install a template directly from the directory in your admin area:

• Go to "Design"> "Themes" in the left menu bar and then click on the "Install" button.
• If you have already selected a template and remembered the name, enter the name directly in the search field.
• If you have not yet found a suitable design, you can use the filter to search. For example, select popular templates or filter by desired functions.
• With a click on "Preview" you can see the design before the installation.
• Once you have found a suitable template, click on "Install".
• Then you have to activate the theme so that it is displayed on your homepage.
• You can either click "Activate" immediately after installation or activate it later in the Themes view using the "Activate" button.

Install WordPress theme via ZIP file

Sometimes you cannot download a template from the topic directory. This is often the case with purchased templates. You will then receive a ZIP archive containing the theme. You upload this directly to WordPress.

• Go to "Design"> "Themes" in the left menu bar and then click on the "Install" button.
• Then click the "Upload theme" button.
• Use "Browse" to select the archive on your computer.
• As soon as you click "Install", WordPress unpacks the archive and automatically adds it to your designs after uploading.
• Activate the theme in the theme view by clicking on "Activate".

Install WordPress theme via FTP

Alternatively, you can also install a template on the server using an FTP program. This is helpful if the files are large and WordPress is too big to allow you to install them.

• Unzip the archive with appropriate software such as 7zip.
• Connect to the server via FTP client. You will receive the access data from your provider.
• The theme folder you extracted must be completely uploaded to the / wp-content / themes / directory.
• As soon as the theme has been uploaded via FTP, you will see it directly in the "Design"> "Themes" admin area and can activate it as described above.

How to change the homepage in WordPress, you will learn in the next article.