- PPF Points
- 193
When I first started building websites with WordPress, installing and customizing a theme seemed intimidating. I didn’t have a background in web design, so I was worried I’d mess something up. But after going through the process a few times, I realized it’s much easier than it looks, and I’d like to walk you through exactly how I did it.
To install a WordPress theme, I logged into my WordPress dashboard and went to “Appearance” > “Themes.” From there, I clicked the “Add New” button and started browsing free themes from the WordPress repository. There were so many choices that I spent a good hour testing demos before settling on a clean and modern-looking theme called “Astra.”
Once I found the theme I liked, I clicked “Install” and then “Activate.” That was it—the base design of my website instantly changed. At first, it didn’t look like the demo version, but I later learned that customizing it was the key to making it shine.
To customize the theme, I went to “Appearance” > “Customize.” This opened the WordPress Customizer, where I could change the site title, upload a logo, set my brand colors, adjust fonts, and configure the layout. I started small by uploading my logo and changing the main color to match my brand. Then I edited the homepage layout to feature my main message and services.
Some themes come with demo content you can import to get a head start. I tried that once and it saved me a lot of time—it filled the site with placeholder images and text, which I then replaced with my own content. It helped me visualize the final layout without starting from scratch.
To further fine-tune the design, I used a plugin called Elementor (a drag-and-drop page builder). With it, I created custom pages without touching a line of code. I remember building my “About Me” page and being proud of how professional it looked, even though I wasn’t a developer.
Customizing a WordPress theme is mostly about trial and error. I kept previewing changes, saving them, and tweaking until I was happy. The best part is that you don’t need any coding skills—just some patience and creativity.
Now, whenever I build a new site, I feel confident installing and customizing themes. It’s one of the most fun parts of creating a WordPress site because it allows me to bring my brand vision to life. If you’re just getting started, don’t be afraid to experiment—you’ll learn quickly and probably enjoy the process more than you expect.
To install a WordPress theme, I logged into my WordPress dashboard and went to “Appearance” > “Themes.” From there, I clicked the “Add New” button and started browsing free themes from the WordPress repository. There were so many choices that I spent a good hour testing demos before settling on a clean and modern-looking theme called “Astra.”
Once I found the theme I liked, I clicked “Install” and then “Activate.” That was it—the base design of my website instantly changed. At first, it didn’t look like the demo version, but I later learned that customizing it was the key to making it shine.
To customize the theme, I went to “Appearance” > “Customize.” This opened the WordPress Customizer, where I could change the site title, upload a logo, set my brand colors, adjust fonts, and configure the layout. I started small by uploading my logo and changing the main color to match my brand. Then I edited the homepage layout to feature my main message and services.
Some themes come with demo content you can import to get a head start. I tried that once and it saved me a lot of time—it filled the site with placeholder images and text, which I then replaced with my own content. It helped me visualize the final layout without starting from scratch.
To further fine-tune the design, I used a plugin called Elementor (a drag-and-drop page builder). With it, I created custom pages without touching a line of code. I remember building my “About Me” page and being proud of how professional it looked, even though I wasn’t a developer.
Customizing a WordPress theme is mostly about trial and error. I kept previewing changes, saving them, and tweaking until I was happy. The best part is that you don’t need any coding skills—just some patience and creativity.
Now, whenever I build a new site, I feel confident installing and customizing themes. It’s one of the most fun parts of creating a WordPress site because it allows me to bring my brand vision to life. If you’re just getting started, don’t be afraid to experiment—you’ll learn quickly and probably enjoy the process more than you expect.