WordPress 2.8 introduces an exciting new way to install and activate themes.
Previously, to install a new theme on your WordPress blog or website you had to:
- Find your theme on the web and download the zip file
- Unpack the zip file to your local machine
- Get an FTP (file transfer protocol) client if you don’t already have one
- Set up credentials to FTP into your web host
- Upload the theme directory to your wp-content/themes directory
- Log into the WordPress Admin panel and activate your theme
This process was a huge stumbling block for many beginners, who were just looking for a simple way to change the look and feel of their blog or website.
Installing a WordPress Theme the Easy Way
Well, WordPress 2.8 has completely streamlined this process. Now you can do everything from the WordPress admin panel – no more need to worry about FTP!
I’ve created a short 2 minute video that shows you how to do this.
Click the Play Button below to watch the video
Give me your thoughts and feedback in the comments below!
{ 1 trackback }
{ 11 comments… read them below or add one }
Hi Don,
I am new to blogging, but I’ve recently started looking into Wordpress (The Thesis Theme to be exact), and I just have one question. Is the movie above in regards to http://www.wordpress.com or http://www.wordpress.org?
Good question Sean. This video pertains to self-hosted WordPress, aka WordPress.org. You won’t be able to use the Thesis theme with WordPress.com.
Don
Good to see that you are bang up to date with latest wordpress version.
I was a little confused about uploading new themes… did I need to FTP or not, but this video has sorted me out.
Thanks for taking the time
Don,
I tried this and found that some themes uploaded correctly but many didn’t. So I wound up reluctantly reverting to FTP.
BTW, thanks for the great video on installing WP on Bluehost. I use both and was gratified to find the install just as easy as you showed.
Although I’m not a prospective client for your chiro theme, I admire your excellent use of content marketing to share your expertise.
Newt
Thank you Newt!
I’m curious to know more about the problems you had uploading themes through the WordPress admin UI.
Good luck on your website, and thanks again for your comment.
Hi Don,
From last one week, i have been trying to install different themes but everytime i get this error:
Warning: file(/home1/godisago/public_html/wp-content/themes/214/style.css) [function.file]: failed to open stream: No such file or directory in /home1/godisago/public_html/wp-includes/theme.php on line 180
Warning: implode() [function.implode]: Invalid arguments passed in /home1/godisago/public_html/wp-includes/theme.php on line 180
Please help. i am a beginner and i am finding it hard. Should i use ftp to install themes?
Waiting for your repsonse.
Aman
I need to use ftp to upload themes in 2.8 because I get error messages when I use the WP admin panel. The error messages as you know use a foreign language and they might as well not be displayed at all.
If I use ftp, do you know if I have to make changes to any other file in the Wordpress ’system’ to enable access to the themes?
@Amandeep, @Mark – I’ve heard from one other person who is having trouble uploading themes through the Admin UI as well.
I haven’t had trouble with it myself, but it seems like with certain hosting providers there can be problems uploading this way. Does it work for you if you use FTP?
@Mark – to answer your question about FTP – all you need to do is upload the theme folder into your wp-content/themes directory. Then it should appear in your WordPress Admin under Appearance -> Themes so you can activate it. You do not need to update any other files.
While I am working on WP I have ftp window open on desktop so that with one click I can upload files. The Admin UI requires a database not operatring in safe mode. My ISP toggled a switch and it worked, however, my preference is ftp, I can see what is going on. Thanks
Hi Don,
If I am using a simple Wordpress theme and using Wordpress again to host my blog, is it possible for me also to use the FTP client and all & use seperate themes than the ones wordpress gives?
Thanks,
Kalyan
@Kalyan,
Not if you are using WordPress.com. Are you using self hosted WordPress or WordPress.com?