Download a free WordPress Starter Theme

WordPress Theme Setup

Taking the time to get to know WordPress is very important and should be seen as an investment which makes you – as the admin of your website – independent from others. You will see that WordPress is a powerful Content Management System which is easy to learn and actually can make a lot of fun.

If you’re completely new to WordPress (or if you’re unsure), please refer to the Codex before you proceed.

Feel free to follow the WordPress Theme Setup Guide, if you…

  • …have basic HTML knowledge
  • …understand the following Resource
  • …are experienced in setting up a new WordPress instance or already have a working instance
  • …run the latest WordPress version
  • …have downloaded the Starter Theme source files
  • …don’t fear the command line ;)
  • …can spend 10-15 minutes of your time for the initial Setup of the Starter Theme

Activating the Theme

  • Log in to the WordPress Dashboard of your website
  • Select the Appearance panel, then > Themes
  • Select > Add New and Upload the zipped copy of the Theme
  • Activate it

Adding Content

Import Demo Content

Download the XML provided under https://codex.wordpress.org/Theme_Unit_Test and import it on a new WordPress instance.

Of course you can also add content from scratch

Create the Main Pages*
Select the Pages panel, then Add New

  • Page 1 (Home)
  • Page 2
  • Page 3
  • Page 4
  • Contact
  • Blog (Page Template “Blog Index”)

If something looks wrong make sure to review the General Settings and assign the Theme location to the Menu(s).

*Unless otherwise specified select Template “Default Template” under Page Attributes

General Settings

  • Go to Settings panel > General
  • Go to > General, change the Site Title and select the correct Timezone
  • Save
  • Go to > Reading
    • Click on Front page displays and select the Front page which should appear as first page on your website
    • Select the Posts page (Blog) which will list all Blog entries
    • Save
  • Go to > Permalinks and select “Day and name”
  • Save

Menu

  • Go to Appearance > Menus
  • Create a new Menu and select “Main Menu” under Theme locations
  • Set up the Menu Structure by adding Pages to the menu
  • Drag each item into the order you prefer
  • Save

Optional: If your Theme supports another Menu, Create a new Menu, add/order the Pages and select the appropriate Theme location

Theme Customization

  • Go to Appearance > Customize to open the WordPress Theme Customization
  • Setup General Settings of your Site, the Page Layout or the Colors and preview the changes in realtime
  • If you’re happy click on Save & Publish