From time to time, you might like to update the look and feel of your WordPress site. This video demonstrates how to change the look of your site by installing a new Theme.

From the Appearance Themes SubPanel, you can change the entire look and feel of your site by installing and activating new Themes, or by changing your existing Theme.

A Theme is actually a bundle of files that determine the overall design of a site, including colors, graphics, layout, and fonts. A Theme is also sometimes referred to as a “skin”. There are literally thousands of WordPress Themes available to choose from, running the entire gamut of both quality and price.

Covered in this video:

• How to find and install new Themes.
• Updating the look of your site with one click using the Appearance > Themes SubPanel.
• Previewing changes before you activate a new Theme.
• Editing the background and header in the default WordPress Theme, Twenty Ten.

Comments and Feedback

1. Monica Sirignano
   May 24, 2010
   

   Hi, you mention background and header keys in the appearance section that make for an easy swap for current themes. These don’t show up in our WordPress control panel, yet they would certainly make life a lot easier. Is there a way to get them to show up?

   Leave a reply
2. Shawn
   May 24, 2010
   

   Hi Monica,
   The background and header subPanels are a function of the theme that is installed on our demo site, called TwentyTen.

   This theme will be installed by default with the new version of WordPress (v3.0) comes out in another week or two.

   But even after you upgrade to WordPress 3.0, you still will not see those subPanels if you are using a different theme than we’re using in the demo.

   Most “premium” (paid-for) themes include these kinds of custom subPanels. They’re not part of WordPress, per se, but they provide a way to customize your theme’s options.

   If you would like to get a jump on this, you can download the WP 3.0 Beta 2, which includes ALL the functions and features you see in my new videos, in addition to the Twenty Ten theme.

   Download Link: http://bit.ly/ahJeCO

   If you don’t care to be on the bleeding edge, then consider the Canvas theme by WooThemes. It’s an equally flexible theme, similar to Twenty Ten in its look and functionality, with TONS of customizable options, directly within the WP Dashboard.

   Check out Canvas here: http://bit.ly/d9OpG0

   Either way, in about two weeks (or less), these functions will all be available with the WordPress 3.0 upgrade. We’re just trying to ensure that our viewers are prepared.

   Hope this helps,
   Shawn

   Leave a reply