{"id":1269,"date":"2021-04-17T10:47:45","date_gmt":"2021-04-17T07:47:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.scalahosting.com\/kb\/?p=1269"},"modified":"2025-11-27T14:41:13","modified_gmt":"2025-11-27T12:41:13","slug":"wordpress-how-to-install-a-new-theme-from-the-wordpress-dashboard","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.scalahosting.com\/kb\/wordpress-how-to-install-a-new-theme-from-the-wordpress-dashboard\/","title":{"rendered":"Install WordPress Theme from Dashboard"},"content":{"rendered":"

If you\u2019re reading this, chances are your website is part of the <\/span>40.9 percent<\/b><\/a> using WordPress \u2014 <\/span>which is a great thing, by the way.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

Now you have your <\/span>WordPress up and running<\/b> and the next thing should be <\/span>customization<\/b>.<\/span><\/p>\n

This guide will walk you through <\/span>vamping your website<\/b> by installing and setting up a new theme from your WordPress dashboard.<\/span><\/p>\n

Let\u2019s dive in.<\/span><\/p>\n

Installing a New Theme from WordPress Theme Directory<\/b><\/h2>\n

WordPress offers a directory of over <\/span>6,000 free themes<\/b> (and plugins)<\/span><\/i> to users from its directory. Using these themes requires little to zero knowledge of coding.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

With a <\/span>few clicks<\/b>, you can <\/span>switch up your site\u2019s aesthetics<\/b> using free themes or installing a premium one.<\/span><\/p>\n

These themes go through a strict review process to make sure they\u2019re not only compatible with the <\/span>different versions of WordPress <\/b>but with all the <\/span>free plugins<\/b> found there too. Actually we\u2019ll teach you how to <\/span>install a (<\/b>free<\/i><\/b>) new theme<\/b> from your WordPress directory right now.<\/span><\/p>\n

You just need to follow these steps :<\/b><\/p>\n

    \n
  1. If you haven\u2019t already, <\/span>log in to your WordPress <\/b><\/a>admin dashboard.<\/span><\/li>\n
  2. Click on <\/span>Appearance > Themes\u00a0<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    \"Install<\/p>\n

      \n
    1. Right on the top, hit the <\/span>Add New<\/b> button.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      \"Install<\/p>\n

        \n
      1. The next page will reveal a <\/span>variety of themes<\/b> to choose from. Take your time and scroll through the catalog.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

        You can also streamline what you\u2019re looking for by searching through these categories \u2014 <\/span>Featured, Popular, Latest, and Favorites.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

        \"Install<\/p>\n

          \n
        1. Use the<\/span> Feature Filter<\/b> settings to set parameters and get the best theme features for your website. Filter your options by – <\/span>Layout, Features, and Subject.\u00a0<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

          \"Install<\/p>\n

            \n
          1. Hit <\/span>Apply Filter<\/b> when you\u2019ve chosen the features you need.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

            \"Install<\/p>\n

              \n
            1. Click<\/span> Details and Preview <\/b>when you find the theme of your choice to see more information about the theme. Preview lets you see how a <\/span>theme plays out live<\/b> on your dashboard before installing.<\/span><\/li>\n
            2. Then, click<\/span> Install.<\/b><\/li>\n
            3. Complete the installation process by hitting the <\/span>Activate<\/b> button.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

              That\u2019s it. Now you can play around with <\/span>different customization effects <\/b>and choose what works best for you.<\/span><\/p>\n

              Installing a New Theme via Uploads from the WordPress Dashboard<\/b><\/h2>\n

              To install a new theme on WordPress via uploads, you must first <\/span>purchase a premium theme<\/b> from a <\/span>non-WordPress developer.<\/b><\/p>\n

              Use the following instructions to learn how to upload and install a new theme on WordPress :<\/b><\/p>\n

                \n
              1. First, download a premium theme from a theme marketplace \u2014 <\/span>Themeforest<\/b><\/a>, <\/b>StudioPress<\/b><\/a>, and <\/span>MOJO Marketplace<\/b><\/a> are great places to start.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

                Downloaded themes are always in <\/span>.zip files<\/b> \u2014<\/span> but don\u2019t worry<\/span><\/i> \u2014 <\/span>you won\u2019t need to unzip them before uploading.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

                  \n
                1. Head over to your dashboard and select <\/span>Appearance > Themes<\/b>.<\/span><\/li>\n
                2. Click the <\/span>Add New <\/b>button at the top.<\/span><\/li>\n
                3. On the new page that appears, click <\/span>Upload Theme<\/b>. This uploads the zip file from your computer to the <\/span>WordPress dashboard.<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

                  \"Install<\/p>\n

                    \n
                  1. Select <\/span>Choose file<\/b> to choose from the files on your computer. Then, click <\/span>Install Now<\/b> to complete the installation process.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

                    \"Install<\/p>\n

                    The remaining steps are similar to what we discussed above. To check the theme out, hit the<\/span> Live Preview<\/b> button and then<\/span> Activate<\/b> it to seal the process.<\/span><\/p>\n

                    How to Setup your New WordPress Theme on your Dashboard<\/b><\/h2>\n

                    There are many ways to set up your <\/span>WordPress theme <\/b>after installation. If you\u2019re not sure where to begin, use the theme\u2019s documentation.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

                    Usually, you\u2019ll find it embedded in the theme or on the<\/span> developer\u2019s website<\/b>. If that doesn\u2019t bring up favorable results, then just search it up on the internet.<\/span><\/p>\n

                    For this post, we\u2019ll look at three basic things you can do to<\/span> extend your website\u2019s functionality and design.<\/b><\/p>\n

                    Install Necessary Plugins<\/b><\/h3>\n

                    Plugins give your site\u2019s functionality an extra <\/span>oomph <\/span><\/i>when you<\/span> install them. <\/span>Most themes require plugins to perform well.\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n

                    To know the right plugins to install, check the <\/span>theme\u2019s documentation<\/b>, or look for a notice on your dashboard immediately after installation.<\/span><\/p>\n

                    Chances are, if you get a notice on your dashboard, you\u2019ll go through the <\/span>plugin installation process <\/b>automatically. Use the <\/span>bulk select tool <\/b>to install and activate multiple plugins at once.<\/span><\/p>\n

                    If you get the details from the theme\u2019s documentation, you must <\/span>manually install the required plugins.<\/b><\/p>\n

                    Using Theme Options or Customizer<\/b><\/h3>\n

                    Sometimes, your theme might have a <\/span>theme options page<\/b>, though some of its functionality has been moved to the customizer to show you a live preview after activation. You can <\/span>access the theme options page<\/b> under <\/span>Appearance > Theme options<\/b> or as a standalone menu on your dashboard.<\/span><\/p>\n

                    Here\u2019s what you can do on the theme options page :<\/b><\/p>\n