Where and how do you design a wordpress theme before publishing your website?

Discussion in 'HTML & Website Design' started by ErikJ, Mar 15, 2012.

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  1. #1
    I currently have a running functioning website but want to make it look better so I need a good theme. I found a theme I want to buy for $35 a wordpress template from themeforest.net

    once I buy the theme where do I make the changes in content before publishing it live?

    I built my current site in godaddy website tonight so I didnt have to do much HTML or anything

    where do I edit the template before I publish it?
     
    ErikJ, Mar 15, 2012 IP
  2. fmk3249

    fmk3249 Peon

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    #2
    AFAIK you can use notepad or any other HTML editor to edit the template, but you won't be able to preview the results of your editing unless you have php and apache server installed on your computer.

    P.S.
    Every Page of a wordpress theme is divided into many .phps like header.php, body.php, index.php, etc. The index.php is the main one and calls upon the rest .phps to form a single page that you see. So to edit a page, you might have to edit various .phps.
     
    fmk3249, Mar 15, 2012 IP
  3. mmslax2

    mmslax2 Active Member

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    #3
    Running a local server is a good idea. You can edit files and customize the site to your liking which will operate exactly the same as on a hosting companies server (depending on your host).

    If you're running windows XAMPP will work perfectly. If you're running a mac use MAMP. There are literally thousands of tutorials online to help you set up the seamlessly easy setup, but if you can't figure it out shoot me a PM and I'll help you out.

    Good luck
     
    mmslax2, Mar 15, 2012 IP
  4. trixy

    trixy Active Member

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    #4
    to make sure it's working well, it's good idea to make a test in localhost
     
    trixy, Mar 17, 2012 IP
  5. creativewebmaster

    creativewebmaster Active Member

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    #5
    First of all setup up the wordpress site in to the local pc or create the test folder on your website FTP detail and setup the wordpress theme. Once you will ready to go just move the folder to root folder.
     
    creativewebmaster, Mar 17, 2012 IP
  6. cinigallery

    cinigallery Greenhorn

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    #6
    for wordpress theme modification, you need to edit the css files at wp-content/themes/yourtheme.

    Also if you want to add something in website, edit template files..

    for header modification edit header.php

    center content : index.php

    Footer : footer.php


    if you want to add in side bar go to wpadmin/appearce/widget
     
    cinigallery, Mar 17, 2012 IP
  7. Peterob

    Peterob Peon

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    #7
    EricJ,

    What you should do first is set up a localhost for testing.

    Depending on what you want to edit will determine what you need to access.

    Style.css should be your stylesheet to change styling--background images, alignment, ect.

    Header.php will include your <head> information and generally goes to the bottom of a navigation bar.

    Index.php generally includes your WordPress loop, though the theme may include single.php (for single posts) and page.php (for pages). There also may be others, depending on what your theme includes, but these alter the main area between header and footer.

    Footer.php is your footer and usually extends from the end of the main content through the closing </html> tag.

    You can edit the theme files from the WordPress admin panel, but you might do better editing it from a text editor.

    If you need additional help, please feel free to PM me.
     
    Peterob, Mar 17, 2012 IP