Theme selection and installation in Wordpress - Cheat Sheet & Quick Revision

Recall & Review

beginner

What is a WordPress theme?

A WordPress theme is a set of files that controls the design and layout of a website. It changes how your site looks without changing the content.

beginner

Name two ways to install a WordPress theme.

You can install a WordPress theme by:
1. Using the WordPress dashboard to search and install from the theme directory.
2. Uploading a theme ZIP file through the dashboard.

beginner

Why should you check theme reviews and ratings before installing?

Reviews and ratings help you know if a theme is reliable, easy to use, and well supported. This avoids problems like bugs or poor design.

beginner

What does it mean if a theme is 'responsive'?

A responsive theme adjusts its layout to look good on all devices like phones, tablets, and computers. This makes your site easy to use everywhere.

intermediate

What is a child theme and why use it?

A child theme is a theme that inherits the look and features of another theme (the parent). Use it to safely customize your site without losing changes when the parent theme updates.

Where can you find free WordPress themes to install?

A Microsoft Office

B Windows app store

C Google Play store

D WordPress theme directory in the dashboard

The WordPress theme directory inside the dashboard offers many free themes you can install directly.

What file format is used to upload a theme manually?

A .docx

B .exe

C .zip

D .jpg

Themes are uploaded as compressed ZIP files through the WordPress dashboard.

What is the main benefit of using a responsive theme?

A Works well on all screen sizes

B Loads only on desktop

C Requires no updates

D Changes content automatically

Responsive themes adapt to different screen sizes for better user experience on phones, tablets, and desktops.

Why should you avoid installing themes from unknown sources?

A They never work on WordPress

B They might contain security risks or bugs

C They are always expensive

D They slow down your computer hardware

Unknown sources may provide themes with malware or poor code that can harm your site.

What happens if you update a parent theme without using a child theme?

A Your custom changes may be lost

B Your site will crash immediately

C The theme will uninstall itself

D Nothing changes on your site

Updating a parent theme overwrites its files, so any direct changes you made will be lost unless you use a child theme.

Explain the steps to install a new WordPress theme using the dashboard.

Think about the menu options and buttons you click.

Describe why choosing a good theme is important for your WordPress site.

Consider how the theme impacts visitors and site management.

Practice

1. What is the main purpose of selecting a theme in WordPress?

easy

A. To control the website's design and layout

B. To add new users to the website

C. To increase website loading speed

D. To backup the website data

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand what a theme does

   A WordPress theme controls how the website looks and feels, including design and layout.

2. Step 2: Compare options

   Options A, B, and C relate to backup, users, and speed, which are not the theme's main role.

3. Final Answer:

   To control the website's design and layout -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Theme = Design/Layout control [OK]

Hint: Themes change look and layout, not users or backups [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Confusing theme with plugins
• Thinking themes manage users
• Believing themes handle backups

2. Which of the following is the correct way to install a theme from the WordPress Dashboard?

easy

A. Go to Plugins > Add New, then upload the theme file

B. Go to Appearance > Themes > Add New, then click Install

C. Go to Settings > General, then select the theme

D. Go to Users > Add New, then choose the theme

Solution

1. Step 1: Locate theme installation in Dashboard

   The correct path is Appearance > Themes > Add New to install themes.

2. Step 2: Eliminate incorrect options

   Plugins section is for plugins, Settings is for site settings, Users is for managing users, not themes.

3. Final Answer:

   Go to Appearance > Themes > Add New, then click Install -> Option B

4. Quick Check:

   Theme install = Appearance > Themes > Add New [OK]

Hint: Themes are under Appearance, not Plugins or Users [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Trying to install themes via Plugins menu
• Looking for themes in Settings
• Confusing user management with theme installation

3. After installing a new theme, what happens if you do NOT activate it?

medium

A. The website will continue using the old active theme

B. The website will use the new theme automatically

C. The website will show a blank page

D. The website will delete the old theme

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand theme activation

   Installing a theme adds it to the site but does not apply it until activated.

2. Step 2: Identify website behavior without activation

   Without activation, the old active theme remains in use; the new theme is inactive.

3. Final Answer:

   The website will continue using the old active theme -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Install ≠ Activate; old theme stays active [OK]

Hint: Install adds theme, activate applies it [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Assuming install activates theme automatically
• Thinking website shows blank without activation
• Believing old theme is deleted on install

4. You uploaded a theme zip file via Appearance > Themes > Add New > Upload Theme, but the upload failed. What is a common cause?

medium

A. You installed the theme from Plugins menu instead

B. You forgot to activate the theme after upload

C. The zip file is corrupted or not a valid theme

D. Your WordPress version is too new

Solution

1. Step 1: Check upload failure reasons

   Upload fails often because the zip file is corrupted or not a proper theme package.

2. Step 2: Eliminate unrelated options

   Activation happens after upload, Plugins menu is wrong place, WordPress version too new rarely causes upload failure.

3. Final Answer:

   The zip file is corrupted or not a valid theme -> Option C

4. Quick Check:

   Upload fail = bad zip/theme file [OK]

Hint: Check zip file integrity if upload fails [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Confusing upload failure with activation step
• Trying to upload themes via Plugins menu
• Blaming WordPress version without checking file

5. You want to switch your site to a new theme but keep your current homepage content unchanged. What should you do?

hard

A. Activate the new theme without installing it first

B. Delete the old theme before activating the new one

C. Change the homepage content before switching themes

D. Install and activate the new theme, then check homepage settings to keep content

Solution

1. Step 1: Install and activate the new theme properly

   You must first install the new theme, then activate it to apply changes.

2. Step 2: Verify homepage settings after activation

   Some themes change homepage layout; check settings to keep your content intact.

3. Final Answer:

   Install and activate the new theme, then check homepage settings to keep content -> Option D

4. Quick Check:

   Install + activate + check settings = safe switch [OK]

Hint: Activate new theme, then adjust homepage if needed [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Deleting old theme before activating new one
• Trying to activate theme without installing
• Changing content before switching themes