WordPress has become the go-to platform for small businesses and entrepreneurs looking to establish an online presence. With its flexibility and user-friendly interface, it allows you to create a stunning website without the need for extensive coding knowledge. However, making your website stand out from the crowd sometimes requires modifications to your WordPress theme. In this article, we will guide you through the process of modifying your WordPress theme in 2017, so you can take your website to the next level.
First, it's important to understand why modifying your theme is necessary. While pre-designed themes can be convenient, they often lack the uniqueness and customization options that set your website apart. By modifying your theme, you can tailor it to suit your brand, improve user experience, and achieve the website of your dreams.
1. Research and choose the right theme for modification:
- Begin by browsing popular WordPress theme directories and marketplaces.
- Look for a theme that aligns with your business goals, aesthetics, and functionality.
- Pay attention to ratings, reviews, and regular updates for a seamless experience.
2. Set up a child theme:
- Creating a child theme is crucial to prevent losing all modifications when the main theme updates.
- Duplicate the main theme folder and customize it as desired.
- Activate the child theme through your WordPress admin panel.
3. Familiarize yourself with the template files:
- Each WordPress theme is comprised of various template files responsible for different sections of your website.
- By understanding these files, you gain control over specific areas such as headers, footers, and content.
- Popular template files include header.php, footer.php, single.php, and style.css.
4. Customize the CSS:
- CSS (Cascading Style Sheets) controls the visual appearance of your website.
- Use tools like Chrome Developer Tools or Firebug to inspect and modify the CSS of your theme in real-time.
- Experiment with colors, fonts, margins, and other design elements to achieve your desired look.
5. Modify theme options and settings:
- Many themes provide customizable options through the WordPress Customizer or theme settings.
- Explore these options to change layout, typography, and other global settings to match your brand.
How To Modify Theme In WordPress 2017 Example:
Let's say you run a small digital marketing agency and want to modify your WordPress theme to reflect your brand colors and add a call-to-action button to your header. With the knowledge gained from this guide, you can easily navigate to your child theme's header.php file, modify the CSS to update the colors, and insert the necessary code for the call-to-action button.
Now that you have the knowledge to modify your WordPress theme, the possibilities are endless. Upgrade your website's design, functionality, and user experience using DamnWoo's awesome WordPress plugins. Discover our range of plugins tailored exclusively for small businesses and entrepreneurs. Don't forget to share this article and check out other helpful guides on our website. Let's take your online success to new heights.
