Where to find WordPress themes<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Themes are available in the WordPress Theme Directory<\/a>, or you can look at various third-party marketplaces<\/a> or trusted technology partners<\/a> to provide a theme. There are pros and cons to both free and premium themes, and the option you choose will ultimately depend on your specific business\u2019 needs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You can find both free and paid themes in the WordPress Theme Directory<\/a>, and you can filter the available themes based on certain characteristics, such as layout and niche.<\/p>\n\n\n\n WordPress’ review process<\/a> means all the themes contained in its official directory have been approved and meet the requirements for:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Free themes are often designed with beginners in mind. This means they are easy to use, compatible with most WordPress plugins<\/a>, and typically have a minimalist design.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n However, free themes are often lacking in several critical areas, including:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Overall, free themes are great for beginners and for smaller websites that do not require a great deal of extra functionality.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Premium themes are available from countless third-party shops. They come with a price tag, but the customization, support, and features on offer are often worth the expense. Much like WordPress-optimized hosting<\/a>, premium themes can be a smart investment if you want to run a successful online business.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n Premium themes are typically better quality than free themes because they come with several upgrades, such as:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Premium themes are ideal for creating a custom website for your business. However, not all premium themes are perfect. You may encounter themes with poor coding or plugin issues, since they do not go through the same strict review process as those in the WordPress Theme Directory. Therefore, be sure to buy from a reputable theme developer<\/a>, and take a close look at user reviews and ratings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Choosing a theme<\/a> can seem overwhelming. However, it\u2019s much less intimidating if you know what to look for. There are several key factors to consider before you pull the trigger.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For example, style, design, and how your content is delivered all play essential roles in your site\u2019s user experience. We\u2019d suggest taking some time to outline what features you are looking for in a theme, and choose a well-rounded design that will grow with your brand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n No matter what your specific niche and needs might be, quality themes should have the following characteristics:<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you want to install a free WordPress theme that\u2019s available in the official directory, you\u2019ll be glad to know that the process is quite simple. First, log into WordPress and navigate to Appearance > Themes<\/em>, and click on Add New<\/em>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Search for and choose the theme you want to use. Hover over it and click on Install<\/em>. Wait for a few moments, and then hit the Activate<\/em> button. That\u2019s all you have to do to get the theme up and running on your site.<\/p>\n\n\n\n However, if you\u2019re changing your theme, it\u2019s a good idea to start by backing up your site<\/a>. You may also want to test the new theme out on a staging site<\/a> first. That way, you\u2019ll know exactly how the theme will look and perform before making irreversible changes to your live site.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you\u2019ve purchased a premium WordPress theme, the installation process is also simple. When you bought the theme, you should have been provided with a .zip<\/em> folder containing all of its files. Start by making sure this is saved somewhere on your device where you can find it easily.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Then open up your WordPress dashboard and go to Appearance > Themes > Add New<\/em>. Click on the Upload Theme<\/em> button:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Hit Choose File<\/em>, and navigate to the .zip<\/em> file you saved earlier. Select it, and hit Install Now<\/em>. After a few minutes you\u2019ll be able to activate the theme. Then it will be ready to go.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If for some reason you can\u2019t or don\u2019t want to install your theme via your dashboard, you can also install it manually. To do that, you\u2019ll need a File Transfer Protocol (FTP) client such as FileZilla<\/a>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n You can check out our full guide to using FTP here<\/a>. To summarize, you\u2019ll need to:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Just be aware that this method can be risky, since you\u2019ll be making changes directly to your website\u2019s files. That means it\u2019s particularly vital to start by making a backup of your site.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Installing a new theme is usually painless. However, issues can sometimes occur. Here are a few of the main problems you may run into:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Fortunately, the most common issues can be resolved easily. You can also take a few simple measures to mitigate these and any other issues before installing your new theme:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Installing a new theme can seem like a daunting task. It involves careful planning and sometimes a little troubleshooting. Fortunately, anyone can do it with accurate instructions, keen attention to detail, and a little patience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You can follow the above steps to choose the ideal theme for your site, and then install it either manually or through your dashboard. Remember to create a backup<\/a> beforehand and put your site in maintenance mode<\/a> for a smooth transition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you get WordPress optimized hosting<\/a> with WP Engine, you\u2019ll get access to the Genesis Framework<\/a> and StudioPress themes<\/a> for free. Building and hosting your site with us can help you create an exceptional experience for your customers.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Your WordPress theme is an essential component of your website. It controls your site\u2019s look, style, and layout. Yet installing a new theme is not always as simple as choosing a design and clicking a button. There are a lot of factors to consider when changing your theme. You\u2019ll want to choose one with the…<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":154389,"template":"","resource-topic":[901],"resource-role":[899],"resource-type":[916],"class_list":["post-124692","resource","type-resource","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"yoast_head":"\nFree themes<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/QE_Fodxsf3RmJST7JP3QycrDZv3LYfZOFU2dKRcBIJ4VF2rqxvskYYfjh8nvlZMtXO6oeDFsKqL1vySEf7eXUZEsV7slOOBSkNr5Muu3RbPtb_8xbZmAzdjY9KzO3QqGx1y0DkIr\")
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Premium themes<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/q4DCATTbUDKKrQ2DZcuD_smMcFEO5NxQ4cipXeN8bNknhOKFLl9QEDEnLb2hb6HxWXbhDgDrxsb6aDjFfBEwputJghBaaq4EfjFdibrH5tp6yD23o2Ak5D19lBSlrnyNG9-E3ERA\")
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How to choose the right WordPress theme (key characteristics to consider)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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How to install a free WordPress theme<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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How to install a premium WordPress theme<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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How to install a WordPress theme using File Transfer Protocol (FTP)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Common issues when downloading a new WordPress theme (and how to mitigate them)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Access premium themes for free by choosing WP Engine for hosting!<\/h2>\n\n\n\n