How to Install a WordPress Theme

WordPress Tutorials WP Now offers a convenient list of useful tutorials to guide you through the installation of your shiny, newly bought themes, popular plugins and much more. You have a choice between a textual tutorial and a video tutorial, or combine the two for the ultimate guide to getting the most out of your WordPress installation.

How to Install a WordPress Theme Posted On: July 5, 2010

Related Theme(s): All Wordpress Themes

So you want to know how to install a WordPress theme for the first time? This handy tutorial will guide you through the process of uploading the theme, the plugins (if any) and introduce you to a preferred FTP client.

01Getting Started

Uploading a WordPress theme is very similar to installing a new WP plugin, firstly, you’ll need to locate your themes folder, found inside the zip file -> Upload -> Themes -> Theme Folder.

02Uploading the Theme

Now you’ve located the theme, make sure you have your favourite FTP client handy, we at WP Now recommend FileZilla as it’s free and easy to use, you can download it here: http://filezilla-project.org/

Upload your Theme’s folder to “wp-content/themes” and if your theme was delivered with any plugins, make sure those go inside “wp-content/plugins”.

03Activating Plugins

Once the upload has finished, you’ll need to login to the WordPress admin area and visit the plugins section if your theme came with any, make sure to activate all the plugins first and follow the readme.txt for instructions on setting those plugins up.

04Activating the Theme

After you’ve uploaded and activated the plugins, head over to the Appearance section found in your left hand menu inside WordPress admin, and find the “Themes” link underneath. Once there, locate your newly uploaded theme and press activate.

05Check it Out

Checkout your new theme by clicking the “Visit Site” link found in the header of WordPress admin.