When and How to Switch Themes Later

byJohnMaluth

433 followers

1 hr ago

Once you've mastered the basics, you might feel ready to explore new themes like Kadence or others recommended by WA. Switching themes can be exciting, but it must be done at the right time and in the right way. Move too early, and you’ll feel lost. Move too late, and you might limit your design options. This guide shows you when and how to switch themes safely.

Step 1: Know When You’re Ready to Switch
You are ready to change themes when you can:
• build a homepage layout without confusion
• manage containers, rows, and columns
• adjust spacing confidently
• troubleshoot basic layout problems
• understand List View
If you can do these, switching themes becomes smooth.

Step 2: Decide Why You Want to Switch
Don’t switch because you feel bored or rushed. Switch because you need:
• more design options
• better block patterns
• modern layout controls
• new features like Kadence’s starter templates
Clear reasons help you choose the right theme.

Step 3: Create a Full Backup Before Switching
Go to WA SiteManager and create a backup.
This protects you from layout conflicts, broken pages, or plugin issues.
Backups give you confidence.

Step 4: Install the New Theme Without Activating It
Go to Appearance → Themes → Add New.
Search for the theme you want.
Click Install but don’t activate it yet.
Review its features, settings, and documentation first.

Step 5: Test the New Theme Using Live Preview
Click Live Preview on the theme.
This shows you how your site will look without changing anything.
Check:
• header
• footer
• homepage layout
• spacing
• typography
If everything looks stable, you’re in good shape.

Step 6: Activate the Theme
Once you feel confident, click Activate.
Expect your site to look a little different.
Themes have different spacing systems and typography defaults.

Step 7: Rebuild Key Sections Slowly
Start with:
• global colors
• typography
• header
• footer
Then adjust your homepage.
Don’t try to fix everything at once.
Move section by section.

Step 8: Replace Broken Blocks or Layouts
Some blocks behave differently across themes.
If something breaks:
• delete the broken block
• replace it with the equivalent block from your new theme
This is normal and easy to handle.

Step 9: Review All Essential Pages
Visit:
• About Me
• Contact
• Privacy Policy
• Affiliate Disclosure
Make sure spacing and alignment still look correct.

Step 10: Visit Every Page in Mobile View
Go to Preview → Mobile.
Fix any spacing issues caused by the theme change.
Modern themes often adjust spacing differently on small screens.

Step 11: Clear Cache and Refresh
If your site looks odd, clear your cache plugin (if you use one).
Then refresh your site.
Many layout glitches disappear instantly after cache clearing.

Step 12: Don’t Switch Themes Often
Once you settle on a stable theme, stay with it for a while.
Frequent switching disrupts learning and slows progress.
Pick a powerful, modern theme and grow with it.

You now know how and when to switch themes safely. This keeps your site stable and allows you to move forward without fear.

In the final post, we’ll invite members to share their experiences — just as JDGresham encouraged — and open the conversation for community support.

That’s all for today! Next is the last blog post in this WordPress series. What do you think about this post? Let us know in the comments below.