If you've used WordPress before, then you've probably had to switch from one WordPress theme to another at least once in your blogging life. If you haven't yet, and it's your first time, then that's even better.
One of the peculiarities of WordPress is the possibility of being able to switch from a WordPress theme to another WordPress theme. You will be able to do it literally in a few clicks. But changing WordPress themes is much more than just clicking “Activate”.
Check your progress as a blogger by reading the 25 errors of novice bloggers to avoid at all costs
In this tutorial, we will provide you with a checklist that you will need to do before changing your WordPress themes.
These steps are essential to ensure that the process goes smoothly. Otherwise, you risk losing items that you shouldn't lose.
But before you start, take the time to take a look at How to install a WordPress theme, How many plugins to install on WordPress.
Then let's get to work!
1. Take notes about your current WordPress theme
Many WordPress users surf the web to find solutions to their problems. Often, they find solutions in the form of snippets that they manually add into their WordPress theme. for example modification of the file " functions.php« .
Since these changes are made only once, people tend not to remember them. Go to your WordPress theme files and write down any additional code you've added. If you don't remember, then create a new text file, copy and paste the entire contents of the modified file. We should also think about checking the loading time of your WordPress theme current. This way, you can compare the loading speeds of the two WordPress themes and see which one has fairly quick access.
See also: How to easily add code to WordPress without breaking your website
Access a website like Pingdom Tools to test the speed of the different pages (not just the home page).
2. Be careful with Sidebars (sidebars)
You need to make sure your new WordPress theme is "widget-ready". The sidebar widgets are really easy to use. Therefore lots of users use them to customize sidebar. We noticed that the sidebars are probably the most personalized areas of WordPress blogs.
People make tons of modifications to it such as adding custom texts, images, links, ads and other widgets. If you are using a WordPress theme "Widget-enabled", and you switch to a WordPress theme that is not "Widget-ready", then you will lose all those changes. If you are using a "widget-enabled" WordPress theme, then this won't be a problem.
Also everything you modify in the sidebar.php file of your old WordPress theme will be overwritten. So make sure you add these custom codes in the sidebar of the new WordPress theme.
3. Do not lose your stats
Most bloggers use plugins to track the progress of their blog. Whether it be Google Analytics, or another service, many of us use plugins to add tracking codes (because these codes allow for example to know the number of visitors obtained in a day, in a period etc…). Sometimes to get to insert these codes, we tend to modify the code in the footer.php file.
Some WordPress themes have an area where you can place the Adsense code. If this is your case, you should make sure that you have backed up your tracking code from your old WordPress theme. This is one of the elements that is very often overlooked by users perhaps because it is so simple. But don't we often say that: " The simpler it is, the more difficult it is to achieve"
4. Save it !!!
You will never have anything to lose by creating a backup of your blog. As a precaution, you should back up all your WordPress themes, plugins, and database files.
While nothing should happen, know that there is no zero risk. Use a plugin like BackupBuddy to create a full backup of your blog for you.
5. Switch to maintenance mode
You probably won't want your readers or users to know what happens when changing WordPress themes.
So it is better activate maintenance mode (A page that will inform the user that your blog is under maintenance but in a fairly respectful way) for 15 to 20 minutes, the time to make sure everything is working normally. Once it's done, activate the new WordPress theme.
6. Test all the features and all the plugins
Once your new WordPress theme is activated, you must make sure all old features are running normally with the new WordPress theme. Think about the notes you took at the start of this process (step 1) as this is the time when you need to insert all the features that were in the old WordPress theme. Finally if you haven't yet.
Then check all the functions such as search, 404 error page, archive page, contact page etc…. Make sure all of your widgets are there and working too.
Also make sure that none of the plugins present an incompatibility with the new WordPress theme.
7. Check compatibility with browsers
Test your blog in all browsers, to which you have access. Browsers tend to render differently. Especially Internet Explorer. You must make sure that your design seems to be excellent in the major browsers.
Some WordPress themes that have a very good look tend to present themselves differently on certain browsers. So if the majority of your audience uses Internet Explorer, then rest assured that this WordPress theme will display a flawless look for those too.
8. Check the color scheme of your new WordPress theme
If you use Google Adsense or some other ad company that allows formatting of the ads displayed on the blog, then your best bet is to personalize them. For example, your previous blog was orange, if you had orange links for Google Adsense. Now if it's blue then probably it should be taken into account.
See also our article on How correct the loss of color and saturation of images on WordPress
The same goes for the widgets of Twitter, Facebook, as for the buttons etc ...
Customize them so that they match your new color scheme.
9. Tell your readers
Turn off maintenance mode and write a quick blog post to notify your readers or users. Note that, you only spent 15-20 minutes checking all of the blog items. There is no way to check for all the bugs that might arise. By notifying your users, you should expect to get bug reports.
We often ask our readers on Twitter for a bug report they find. Ask your audience via Twitter, Facebook, and others to see if the blog looks great in their browser. If they say yes, then that's good news. If they say no, then ask them to take screenshots of the problem in question.
So you should take a look at the problem and try to fix it. If you can't fix it, then kindly ask the WordPress theme developer to fix it.
Reviews: Unless you paid for the WordPress theme, these developers are not required to fix these issues for free.
10. The multiplication of plugins
WordPress themes are currently provided with a lot of features. For example, if you are using a WordPress theme genesis or another WordPress theme that has a succession of links, then you need to get rid of that WordPress theme. The concept is simple. Get rid of things you won't need. One thing you will need to make sure though is if the plugin does the job for which it was intended.
For example many WordPress themes come with tons of SEO functionality. genesis, Thesis, Headway, Standard Theme all tout their SEO features. But their SEO does not matter to us. We prefer to use a much more powerful plugin like WordPress SEO by Yoast. So make your choice with great wisdom.
11. Master your WordPress theme step by step
You're working with a new WordPress theme, so making changes to a new WordPress theme is probably not the easiest thing. Make small changes to make sure your WordPress theme behaves correctly in all browsers.
Do not hesitate to read Bloggers: Do not write 1000 words, but use just a picture
So, once you are comfortable enough, then you can make drastic changes. It is important to know the structure and semantics of the new WordPress theme before making big changes. This will allow you to detect problems as soon as you get started with this WordPress theme.
12. Test loading time
Take the load time you put on your old WordPress theme (in step 1 of this checklist) and compare it with the load speed of the new WordPress theme. See what you can do to improve load times if your load times are too high.
Go further in your reading by reading How to increase the time spent on your WordPress blog
13. Watch the bounce rate
After changing the WordPress theme, you need to watch the bounce rate. Some WordPress themes are simply more user-friendly than others for readers browsing your blog.
If your bounce rate has increased compared to the previous WordPress theme, then you should probably work on improving your bounce rate.
Add related article widgets, popular article widgets, or just a call to action that would be great for new readers.
14. Listen to your readers and IMPROVE
When you change your WordPress theme, users will always have suggestions. They will like or hate specific features. Communicate with your readers using Facebook surveys or polls.
See what they would like you to improve and then work on it to get them satisfied.
Do you also have a checklist of your own when changing a WordPress theme?
If so, we'd love to hear from you in our comments section.
Also discover some premium WordPress plugins and themes
You can use other WordPress plugins to give a modern appearance and to optimize the handling of your blog or website.
We offer you here some premium WordPress plugins that will help you do that.
1. Capri
Capri is a versatile, powerful and incredibly flexible WordPress theme designed to help you create a website which will perfectly suit several niches. It comes with almost 12 models of layouts, all as amazing as customizable, but that will highlight your content, thanks to a plethora of customization options built into a modern control panel.
The dozen demos that come with the WordPress template will allow you to install a complete website fairly quickly, while leaving you to focus on just customizing it. This content import will be an ideal way to save time, especially if you don't have enough knowledge in web development.
This is a WordPress theme compatible with the WooCommerce plugin, which will give you the opportunity to create a modern and professional internet shop. Feature-packed Retina and responsive design, it will behave perfectly on any screen and also on any browser.
Download | Demo | Web hosting
2. Big Point
Big Point is an elegant and versatile premium WordPress theme ready to help you create any business, agency, portfolio and blog website. But its perfect integration with WooCommerce also allows create a website of e-commerce.
It comes with a visual page builder that uses 'drag-and-drop' functionality to help you create new layouts or modify the ones that come with this WordPress theme. And all this without having to modify the code.
We also invite you to consult our 5 premium WordPress plugins perfect for creating an e-commerce website
Due to its responsive design, your website will look impressive on all device types and screen sizes. In addition, it has an intuitive control panel which makes its customization a breeze. It is a WordPress theme that you should definitely try.
Download | Demo | Web hosting
3. WordPress Comment Rating Plugin
It's about a comment evaluation system. It allows you to let users rate the various comments. They will just have to click on the preview button and scroll down to the comments section to see the plugin in action.
In its functionalities we find mainly: ease of use, support for custom icon colors, ranking comments according to the notes, the customization of the size of the icons, custom CSS support, IP encryption (for European users), the possibility to translate this plugin and more.
Download | Demo | Web hosting
Recommended Resources
Find out about other recommended resources to help you build and manage your website.
- 0 WordPress plugins to share your articles on Instagram
- 10 WordPress themes to create a beauty salon website
- 10 premium WordPress plugins from Booking and Booking
- 10 WordPress themes to create a classified ads website
Conclusion
Here ! That's it for this tutorial, I hope it allows you to be able to change your WordPress theme by having an appropriate list of checks to do before.
However, you can also consult our resources, if you need more elements to carry out your projects of creation of Internet sites, by consulting our guide on WordPress blog creation.
If you have suggestions or remarks, leave them in our section Comments. Do not hesitate to share with your friends on your favorite social networks.
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