![how to install and activate wordpress theme via ftp and via dashboard.](https://www.lesrubadesigns.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/install-wordpress-theme-1024x576.png)
*This post contains affiliate links, which means that by clicking on a link and purchasing a product, I’ll receive a small commission, at no additional cost to you. Please see my disclosure policy for details.
If you’ve already purchased a WordPress theme, and saying to yourself, now what do I do? This tutorial will show you how to get that theme on your WordPress site.
WordPress comes with a few free themes but we recommend using a premium WordPress theme. If you’d like to see a list of places where you can purchase custom WordPress themes, we’ll post them at the end of this tutorial.
Install a WordPress Theme via FTP Upload
Method 1: FTP
One method of installing a WordPress theme is via FTP (File Transfer Protocol) upload, using a platform such as Filezilla, which is free. In this instance, you would upload the unzipped theme file to your site’s WP-content > themes folder. Be sure to upload both the parent theme and any child themes you may be using.
![uploading wordpress themes ftp](https://www.lesrubadesigns.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/theme-upload-1.jpg)
Install WordPress Theme via WordPress Admin Dashboard
Method 2: Direct Upload
Second method of installing a WordPress theme is directly from within your WordPress admin dashboard.
- Go to Appearance > Themes > Add New and this time select the zipped/.ZIP file of your theme.
![](https://www.lesrubadesigns.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/wptheme-1.png)
![](https://www.lesrubadesigns.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/wp-theme-install.jpg)
2. Now when you go to your WordPress dashboard > appearances > themes, you should see your themes have been added.
![install wordpress theme](https://www.lesrubadesigns.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/wordpressthemeupload.jpg)
How to Activate a WordPress Theme
Now that your WordPress theme or themes are uploaded, you have to activate them. For a theme that is not a child theme, you can go ahead and activate it.
Activating a Parent/Child Theme
However, as in this example, our theme is a child theme. So we had to purchase and upload both Genesis (the framework/parent theme) and Modern Blogger Pro (the child theme). In cases where you have a parent and child theme, you must activate the PARENT FIRST, and the child theme SECOND.
First, hover over the parent theme (in this case “Genesis“) and click “activate”
![](https://www.lesrubadesigns.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/wptheme-3.png)
Once the parent theme is active, then hover over the child theme and click “activate”
![](https://www.lesrubadesigns.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/wptheme-4.png)
Your designated theme is now active and ready to customize:
![](https://www.lesrubadesigns.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/wptheme-5.png)
![Web Hosting](https://ua.siteground.com/img/banners/general/static/468x60.jpg)
Below are some places where you can buy premium WordPress Themes:
You may also like our tutorial which is a beginner’s guide on how to install Wordpress on your website.
Leave a Reply