Updating your WordPress theme is like giving your website a much-needed makeover.
But if you’ve tweaked your theme to perfection the thought of updating can be a bit daunting.
“Will I lose all my custom settings?” you might wonder.
Don’t worry! I’ve been working with WordPress for years and I’m here to share my best tips for updating your theme without losing a single thing.
Why You Need to Update Your WordPress Theme
It’s not just about keeping things fresh; there are some serious reasons why you should update your theme regularly.
Think of it like a security check-up for your website.
Security First: Patches That Protect
Security is paramount.
Updates often include patches that fix vulnerabilities lurking in the theme’s code.
These vulnerabilities can be like open doors for hackers making your site vulnerable to attacks.
Imagine someone trying to steal your website’s data or even take it down completely.
Scary right?
The good news is that developers work tirelessly to address these vulnerabilities and updates are the lifeline that keeps your site safe.
Feature Upgrades: New Tools New Possibilities
Updating your theme can also unlock exciting new features and tools.
It’s like getting a free upgrade to a more powerful version of your theme.
You might find new blocks patterns or customization options that give you more control over your website’s design.
Think of it as a toolbox filled with new tools that can help you build the perfect website.
Keeping Up with the Times: Staying Compatible
WordPress itself gets updated regularly.
Think of it as a core foundation for your website.
Theme updates make sure your theme plays nicely with the latest version of WordPress avoiding compatibility issues that could cause bugs slow your site down or even break things completely.
It’s like ensuring that your website’s foundation is sturdy and reliable.
Preserving Your Work: Backups and Child Themes
Let’s talk about the things that can make your heart skip a beat when updating a theme: your customizations.
Thankfully with a little foresight you can safeguard all your hard work.
Back Up Back Up Back Up!
I always say “Back it up or regret it later.” Before you even think about updating make sure you have a reliable backup of your website.
It’s like having an insurance policy for your online efforts.
If anything goes wrong during the update you can restore your website to its previous state and breathe a sigh of relief.
There are several fantastic ways to back up your website.
I’m a huge fan of Jetpack VaultPress Backup because it works in real-time automatically saving every change you make.
Imagine your website as a movie and Jetpack is constantly recording everything ready to rewind to any point in time.
It’s a lifesaver!
Child Themes: Customizations Without Fear
Think of a child theme like a separate layer on top of your original theme.
It allows you to make changes without messing with the core files of the theme itself.
This way when you update the theme your customizations will stay intact like a protective shield around your hard work.
To create a child theme you’ll need to access your website’s files via FTP (File Transfer Protocol) or your hosting provider’s file manager.
You’ll create a new folder within your themes directory typically named after the original theme with “-child” added at the end.
Inside the folder you’ll create two files:
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style.css: This file contains basic information about the child theme and loads the styles from the parent theme. Think of it as the bridge connecting your customizations to the original theme.
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functions.php: This file is where you add any custom functions or code that you want to add to your website. Think of it as your custom workshop for adding extra features and functionality.
Staging Environments: Test Before You Go Live
Imagine your website is a stage play and you need to rehearse before the grand premiere.
That’s what a staging environment is all about: a safe space to test changes experiment with new features and make sure everything works flawlessly before exposing it to the world.
Using a staging environment is like having a dress rehearsal for your website.
It allows you to try out theme updates in a controlled environment ensuring that any unexpected problems don’t disrupt your live website.
There are several ways to set up a staging environment:
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Your Hosting Provider: Many hosting providers offer staging environments as part of their services. Think of it as a built-in feature that makes your life easier.
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Jetpack: Jetpack is like a Swiss Army knife for your website. It offers various tools including a staging environment. Think of it as a powerful assistant that can help you with many tasks.
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Staging Plugins: Plugins are like extra tools that you can add to your website. Staging plugins like WP Staging make cloning your website and setting up a staging environment a breeze.
Updating Your WordPress Theme: Step-by-Step
Now let’s get down to business and update your theme! Remember patience and preparation are key.
Plan Your Updates
Think of it like scheduling a meeting.
It’s always best to choose a time when your website isn’t experiencing a lot of traffic such as during off-peak hours or when your audience is less likely to be online.
The WordPress Dashboard: The Easy Way
For most themes the easiest way to update is through your WordPress dashboard.
- Go to Dashboard → Updates.
- Check the box next to your theme.
- Click Update Themes.
It’s that simple! WordPress will take care of the rest.
FTP or File Manager: The Manual Method
Sometimes you might need to update your theme manually particularly if you’ve purchased it from a marketplace outside the WordPress theme repository.
- Download the latest version: Get the latest version of your theme from the source where you purchased it.
- Connect via FTP or File Manager: Use an FTP client like FileZilla or your hosting provider’s file manager to access your website’s files.
- Replace the theme folder: Download a copy of your existing theme folder as a backup then delete the existing folder and replace it with the downloaded folder containing the updated theme.
cPanel: Another Manual Option
If your hosting provider offers cPanel you can also update your theme using its file manager.
- Download and unzip: Download the latest theme version and unzip the files.
- Access File Manager: Log in to your hosting dashboard and locate cPanel. Open File Manager.
- Compress and replace: Navigate to your theme folder compress it as a backup delete the folder and upload the downloaded folder containing the updated theme.
Undoing a Theme Update: Rolling Back the Changes
It’s not always smooth sailing.
Sometimes an update might cause unforeseen problems.
Don’t panic! You can always roll back to the previous version.
- Backup Restore: If you have a working backup restore your site to the previous version.
- WP Rollback Plugin: If you haven’t backed up your website plugins like WP Rollback can come to the rescue.
- Manual Rollback: If you have a previous version of your theme downloaded you can manually roll back by replacing the current theme folder with the older one.
Frequently Asked Questions
Now let’s address some common questions you might have about updating themes.
What Happens to Customizations?
Customizations made within the theme’s built-in settings will usually carry over but any custom code you added directly to the theme files will be overwritten during the update.
That’s why using a child theme is so important as it protects your custom code.
Can I Set Up Automatic Updates?
Yes! Many themes offer automatic updates which save you time and ensure your site is always up-to-date.
You can typically enable automatic updates within your theme’s settings.
Remember it’s crucial to have a reliable backup system in place if you enable automatic updates.
What If a Theme Update Gets Stuck?
If an update gets stuck you can usually fix it by clearing your browser and server-side caches.
You can also try updating one theme or plugin at a time rather than multiple updates simultaneously.
What Happens if I Don’t Update My Theme?
Leaving your theme outdated exposes your site to security vulnerabilities.
It can also lead to compatibility issues with WordPress and other plugins potentially causing your website to malfunction.
Final Thoughts
Updating your WordPress theme is an essential part of website maintenance.
Think of it as a routine health check for your online presence.
It helps keep your site safe secure and up-to-date with the latest features.
By following these tips you can update your theme without losing any of your hard work.
And remember if you’re ever unsure it’s always best to seek help from a WordPress expert or check out the WordPress support forums for guidance.