Tasks of Installing New WordPress Themes Day 20 of 23
I have mentioned previously that I needed to install new themes on my websites This has been, and continues to be a challenge much greater than expected.
The necessity for installing new themes is that for six years I used Woo Canvas which was a fantastic theme. I could design my sites anyway I chose. In saying that, I kept them fairly plain in design but, if I chose to, I could change the font sizes, font colour, and very many other aspects of a theme.
Unfortunately, long ago Woo stopped supporting Canvas. I coped with that until a WordPress version update broke the formatting on one of my sites.
Genesis and Studio Press
To mend that site, I purchased a Genesis theme believing that is one of the best quality themes. I based this on what I heard and read, but in reality the way to judge a theme is to purchase it. I’m certainly not in raptures with that purchase, but it is my experience and not a criticism. Also, purchasing a theme is not an issue, as they usually have a 30-day refund policy. In fact, I wouldn't purchase a theme without being certain of that policy.
For anyone who does not know how a Genesis theme works, it’s a two stage process. The first stage is the Genesis framework; the second stage is the theme and I chose a Studio Press theme.
GeneratePress
This year, I was mulling over what theme to purchase for my affiliate marketing site. A few days ago I chose the GeneratePress theme.
This is a theme Jay is now using and his websites I’ve seen are great.
The Generate Press is a light theme, one of the reasons I chose to purchase it. There was some discussion about this theme near the end of one of Jay’s WAbinars.
Although the theme has many virtues, it is going to take me long hours to update almost one-hundred posts, including pages. I will need to change each page or post individually.
I tried to find help from YouTube videos. There are several videos about how to use different features of Generate Press, but there’s too much additional ‘talk’ rather than getting on with the process. Again, only my experience!
I do have two other websites still on the Canvas theme. I’m not sure what I’ll do with those. For now they must rest! What the future is for them, I cannot say.
Being Absent
So, if I miss answering your comments, or visiting your new posts, I apologize. I just don’t know how long this exercise will take, but it is essential I get my affiliate marketing site live again. It’s approximately 5 days since I took it off the internet. It’s resting behind an ‘under construction’ plug-in. But it needs to surface, and only I can make that happen.
I still need to publish for the next three days to complete my challenge. So, I will be in and out, for a while.
Thanks very much for your understanding.
Recent Comments
27
Dang! It takes so much time trying to figure out something new. I feel for ya! I spent most of the day working on one little problem, and it really slowed me down. Good luck on the theme change...I considered doing so but don't want to deal with the problems right now. Hope yours goes okay from here on.
Thanks, Fran for your message.
This theme is still not to my liking. In fact there is nothing I like about it, but I can't spend any more time with installing another theme. My website is 'suffering' badly, not to mention I purchased two themes that have been unsatisfactory.
That's a real bummer. Guess I'll just stick to my theme, since it is adequate and I now understand it pretty sell. Hope you get your problem worked out. I know how frustrating it is not to be able to progress because of some issue with your site...spent yesterday doing that...hope you find a solution soon.
Thanks, Fran.
I'm considering attempting to get the first of the two purchases to work for me. This is the GeneratePress theme which is modern and has much going for it. Also, Jay uses it. I absolutely detest the theme I'm currently using. GeneratePress can work. I just need time and heaps of patience. Time is short at present, but I'm going to give my best shot.
After reading Kyle's email, got concerned that the theme I chose was not mobile friendly. However, all my posts went through fine...thank goodness.
That would be a relief, Fran.
My belief is that all WordPress posts are now mobile friendly.
If not, they should be!
I checked mine, and on the new website all is well. I think I have a couple of problems on the other one,but no time to check it right now.
I am so sorry to hear that you are having so much trouble Valerie and that is alot of work to take on at once. But it has to be done though.
You might have to choose another theme that is more beneficial for you instead of the one you have right now just a suggestion. I would hate you have to go through something like this.
You do what you have to do to get back up and running again and we will talk soon keep me posted on the outcome when you can.
Mary
Thank you, Mary.
I'm still working at it. I'm considering another theme but I do know this one has many benefits, so I'm just hanging in there for a while longer.
I'll let you know how it goes. Probably tomorrow is a good timeframe for that.
Valerie
No worries you keep me posted when you can I understand it needs to be fixed. You do what you need to do. Tomorrow will be fine.
Mary
I relate to this post. Not having the years of experience in the WA community I decided to work with a local server to see about changing my theme. Thank goodness I did. If anybody had been viewing they might have questioned my sanity. Changed themes 4 times before lighting on OceanWP. Might have really got some nasty comments...LOL.
By using local server on my computer have been able to make changes and see what website will look like while still able to post content. Has put a kink in writing posts but will really be nice when I do go live.
I feel better about my struggles after reading you post. Thanks for sharing. Now feel a degree more confident.
Barry
I'm so pleased to have been of help with your confidence, Barry.
It's rather a large mountain I have to climb. Maybe a further search on YouTube or Google, might help to overcome the enormity of this chore.
Valerie
Do it once, do it right. A painstaking and laborious task, no doubt but there is an upside. I have found revisiting some of my first posts very rewarding as I am able to 'tweak' them with my new found knowledge. I also noticed a post the other day that told the reader about other articles I would be publishing in the future, I had totally forgotten my promise...still, bonus content ideas.
Yes, Twack, it's very easy to forget our promises. We need some little electronic device that will alert us with just a tap on the shoulder with an accompanying voice....!!
Good Morning Valerie,
What a hassle! I do not want to visualize the fit I would get having to change the theme. Even if I have learned a lot of so-called technical things during my 2 years plus here at WA I still do not like technical stuff. I hope you will get it sorted out well.
Greetings from the south of Spain, Taetske
Thanks, Taetske,
I saw your message just as I was about to log off for the night. I've just watched a video about formatting headers in the theme. I will give a try tomorrow.
I'm so tired now, I'll say goodnight, even though it is not night time for you.
Valerie
What is the difference between a freed website in WordPress and a paid theme? Are there things not provided in the free ones which are necessary to website development?
Jimmy, all things necessary to a website are included in free themes. The differences are that paid themes are supported by the creator or company. This means ongoing support is available with paid themes. A free theme does not have ongoing support. In saying that, I've never used a free theme. I only know what I've learned over the years.
Another example is, GeneratePress provides a free theme which is basic. They also provide a paid theme which has additional features.
I hope this is helpful.
Could we know what are the particular supports given by the company?
I noticed that in some free themes the things being put in the Theme Header are being removed without the knowledge of the owner of the site.
As with any product, benefits from the company may vary.
I can really only talk about the benefit I received from Woo until they stopped supporting this theme.
So, if I had any difficulty with anything on my websites, maybe formatting a particular item, I would send a message to Woo and one of their support team would promptly provide the solution.
Compare this with a free theme at WA. A problem occurs: - you get support from WA. But, if you were not with WA, you would not get support for your free theme.
As I understand, there are no updates on free themes. Whereas updates are provided by the company of purchase, for paid themes. For instance, Genesis/Studio Press advises the need for updating the theme I purchased from them. This is on a smaller website I own, and not the website my post is about.
I hope this all makes sense, Jimmy.
Thanks for asking the question.
I noticed there are updates to be done in WP free themes and this is done when you go to your back office. My problem is that there were times I go to the theme details to see if what I've placed there such as Analytics codes, and others are still intact. However, it's surprising that all some or all of were gone.
Nevertheless, there are free themes that are dependable.
Some free themes must be reliable because they are used by thousands of people. Possibly millions.
It was just the way I started my WordPress journey in 2008. The person who helped me, free of cost, advised me to use a paid theme. It wasn't very expensive and as he was setting up the website for me, I felt I should do what he recommended. So that's how I came to use paid themes and have done so ever since.
If your website is working well on a free theme, then it's best that you stay with that.
Right, if not, change the theme. I do believe there's an advantage of a paid theme over the free ones.
I agree, Jimmy, there are advantages of using a paid theme, but I wouldn't promote it here in WA due to the training being on free themes.
Yes, and WA doesn't even require. However, we share as an education what are those advantages. We are not forcing anybody to buy but we are showing the facts that they can opt to go if they ever have the money. It's part of a business to buy, upgrade in pieces of equipment, tools if ever needed.
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Thank you, Valerie and I hope you have been able to finish installing your new themes.
Wayne