Once you’ve installed WordPress and can access your site online, one of the first things you’ll likely want to do is change how it looks and feels. This is where themes come in. Themes control the visual design, layout, and in some cases even the functionality of your WordPress website.
WordPress comes with a built-in theme directory where you can explore and install thousands of themes — both free and premium. Free themes are often a great place to start, especially if you’re experimenting or building a basic site. Premium themes, on the other hand, typically offer more advanced features, customization options, and dedicated support.
If you’re looking for something truly unique and tailored to your brand or idea, you can choose to create a custom theme. This approach gives you full control over the design and functionality, but it does require knowledge of coding languages like HTML, CSS, PHP, and JavaScript. If you’re not familiar with web development, you may want to consider hiring a professional developer or agency.
How to Install a Theme in WordPress
Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you install and activate a theme in your WordPress dashboard:
- Log in to your WordPress admin panel (
yourdomain.com/wp-admin). - In the left-hand menu, go to Appearance > Themes.
- Click the Add New button at the top of the page.
- Browse through the available themes or use the Upload Theme option if you’ve downloaded one from a third-party source.
- Once you find a theme you like, click Install.
- After installation, click Activate to make it live on your website.
That’s it! With just a few clicks, you can completely change the look of your website. WordPress makes the process incredibly user-friendly, even for beginners — no technical knowledge is required to get started.
If you need further customization, many themes also offer theme settings panels, live preview editing, or integration with page builders like Elementor or WPBakery to give you even more flexibility.