My WP Blog Design Sucks...How Can I Change It And Not Lose All My Articles?

Steven Wagenheim · 11-16-2008, 11:39 AM

Okay, when I set up my blog, I used the default WP look. You know, that
ugly piece of garbage because quite honestly, I never really planned on doing
anything with it.

Well, now I have about 175 articles on it and want to spruce it up.

How can I do this without trashing all the articles?

Ross Dalangin · 11-16-2008, 11:40 AM

Try to add a new template and change it. It would be ok. Just try.

Ross

Ross Dalangin · 11-16-2008, 11:42 AM

What I mean is use the new template and it will work without having a problem. Just activate the new template you want if you have or modify it in the design section if you know HTML.

Steven Wagenheim · 11-16-2008, 11:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ross Dalangin

Try to add a new template and change it. It would be ok. Just try.

Ross

Thanks Ross, but not very reassuring.

I don't even know where to go TO add a new template.

I guess I should have mentioned...I am technically challenged when it comes
to this stuff.

cashcow · 11-16-2008, 11:43 AM

The great thing about WP is that you can just upload a new theme and give your site a facelift in 2 seconds.

Might want to make sure you are using the latest wordpress version before you do that, though - I'm not sure if it matters but maybe some of the new themes might not work with an older version?

Asher · 11-16-2008, 11:44 AM

Hi Steven,

You don't have to. Just look for a new design theme, download
it and upload the new theme into your blog...

Upload the new theme folder into: wp-content > themes

Then when you login to your WP dashboard, click on Design > Theme
and choose the new look. Activate it.

Viola~

Asher

Steven Wagenheim · 11-16-2008, 11:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cashcow

The great thing about WP is that you can just upload a new theme and give your site a facelift in 2 seconds.

Might want to make sure you are using the latest wordpress version before you do that, though - I'm not sure if it matters but maybe some of the new themes might not work with an older version?

Thanks...Here is what I found on my blog.

You can find additional themes for your site in the WordPress theme
directory. To install a theme you generally just need to upload the theme
folder into your wp-content/themes directory. Once a theme is uploaded,
you should see it on this page.

I am using a VERY old Wordpress version. It's 2.1.3.

If I look up a theme, will it say what versions it's compatible with?

Ron Douglas · 11-16-2008, 11:47 AM

Adding and changing the WP blog template won't affect your content.

Asher · 11-16-2008, 11:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steven Wagenheim

Thanks...Here is what I found on my blog.

You can find additional themes for your site in the WordPress theme
directory. To install a theme you generally just need to upload the theme
folder into your wp-content/themes directory. Once a theme is uploaded,
you should see it on this page.

I am using a VERY old Wordpress version. It's 2.1.3.

If I look up a theme, will it say what versions it's compatible with?

Download this plugin... It'll automatically upgrade your Wordpress
version. It probably saved me hours trying to figure how to upgrade
my own Wordpress.

WordPress › Wordpress Automatic upgrade WordPress Plugins

After that, go ahead and use any theme you like

Asher

Edit: For themes, check out http://www.wordpress.pro

Steven Wagenheim · 11-16-2008, 11:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Asher

Download this plugin... It'll automatically upgrade your Wordpress
version. It probably saved me hours trying to figure how to upgrade
my own Wordpress.

WordPress › Wordpress Automatic upgrade WordPress Plugins

After that, go ahead and use any theme you like

Asher

Should I backup my blog before I do this? I don't want to risk losing
everything. And if I should back it up, what's the best way?

matthewd · 11-16-2008, 11:51 AM

Everyone is always telling me how easy Wordpress is, but I am with Steven on this one. I recently bought a new site that is built as a WP blog and I am completely lost when I log into the back-end of it.

Asher · 11-16-2008, 11:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steven Wagenheim

Should I backup my blog before I do this? I don't want to risk losing
everything. And if I should back it up, what's the best way?

You'll be really glad to know (like I was) that the plugin does it
all for you

Here's the description to set your heart at ease.

Quote:

Wordpress Automatic Upgrade allows a user to automatically upgrade the wordpress installation to the latest one provided by wordpress.org using the 5 steps provided in the wordpress upgrade instructions.

Wordpress automatic upgrade upgrades your wordpress installation by doing the following steps.

Backs up the files and makes available a link to download it.
Backs up the database and makes available a link to download it.
Downloads the latest files from http://wordpress.org/latest.zip and unzips it.
Puts the site in maintenance mode.
De-activates all active plugins and remembers it.
Upgrades wordpress files.
Gives you a link that will open in a new window to upgrade installation.
Re-activates the plugins.

The plugin can also can be run in a automated mode where in you do not have to click on any links to go to the next step.

Asher

Ross Dalangin · 11-16-2008, 11:54 AM

Most of the templates are compatible to old versions.

Just upload the extracted theme to /wp-content/themes/ folder on your FTP software.

Next step is to login to your wp-admin and find the design of the new template, click it and choose activate or similar words.

Just try it and if won't work just re-activate the old one and find another template you like.

Ross

ChristianM · 11-16-2008, 11:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steven Wagenheim

Should I backup my blog before I do this? I don't want to risk losing
everything. And if I should back it up, what's the best way?

Backing up your blog shouldn't be necessary with something as simple as this but you may want to if you are worried.

Never run an old version of wordpress as it could leave you open to being hacked.

Changing a theme will not lose you your articles - short of actually deleting them almost nothing will lost you your data so I wouldn't worry too much.

Just give it a go and see what happens - you'd be surprised how often it's easier that you think it will be.

Steven Wagenheim · 11-16-2008, 11:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Asher

You'll be really glad to know (like I was) that the plugin does it
all for you

Here's the description to set your heart at ease.

Asher

Thanks Asher, and to everybody else. I can write, but if I had to build my
own platform to do it on, I'd be broke.

Oh and Matt, I do know enough about Wordpress to find my way around,
but I only saw one other theme in my backoffice and couldn't find where
to get others. Then I saw the note at the end of the page.

My only REAL concern was doing this and losing everything because I've
seen stuff like that happen.

Okay, last question.

What's like the "hottest" and most popular theme going today?

Is there one or does it really not matter as long as it's not one that's
older than dirt and makes you look like a rookie.

11-16-2008, 11:39 AM	#1
Steven Wagenheim Article Marketing Wiz Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Roselle, NJ, USA Posts: 11,311 Blog Entries: 8 Thanks: 174 Thanked 1,325 Times in 321 Posts	My WP Blog Design Sucks...How Can I Change It And Not Lose All My Articles? Okay, when I set up my blog, I used the default WP look. You know, that ugly piece of garbage because quite honestly, I never really planned on doing anything with it. Well, now I have about 175 articles on it and want to spruce it up. How can I do this without trashing all the articles?
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11-16-2008, 11:40 AM	#2
Ross Dalangin Senior Warrior Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: http://rossdalangin.com/affiliates/ Posts: 1,946 Blog Entries: 12 Thanks: 17 Thanked 15 Times in 12 Posts Social Networking	Re: My WP Blog Design Sucks...How Can I Change It And Not Lose All My Articles? Try to add a new template and change it. It would be ok. Just try. Ross
	WSO: Birthday Explosion * Review Templates * Product Reviews Script * Clickbank Mall Script List Building * Redirect Manager * Coupon Script * PayDotCom Mall Script Affiliate Course * Self-Made Millionaires Revealed! * ThinkGrowRich Audio * Overflowing Income Report Profits * Web Wealth Jumpstart System * My Previous WSOs!

11-16-2008, 11:42 AM	#3
Ross Dalangin Senior Warrior Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: http://rossdalangin.com/affiliates/ Posts: 1,946 Blog Entries: 12 Thanks: 17 Thanked 15 Times in 12 Posts Social Networking	Re: My WP Blog Design Sucks...How Can I Change It And Not Lose All My Articles? What I mean is use the new template and it will work without having a problem. Just activate the new template you want if you have or modify it in the design section if you know HTML.
	WSO: Birthday Explosion * Review Templates * Product Reviews Script * Clickbank Mall Script List Building * Redirect Manager * Coupon Script * PayDotCom Mall Script Affiliate Course * Self-Made Millionaires Revealed! * ThinkGrowRich Audio * Overflowing Income Report Profits * Web Wealth Jumpstart System * My Previous WSOs!

11-16-2008, 11:43 AM	#5
cashcow HyperActive Warrior Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: , , . Posts: 120 Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 1 Post	Re: My WP Blog Design Sucks...How Can I Change It And Not Lose All My Articles? The great thing about WP is that you can just upload a new theme and give your site a facelift in 2 seconds. Might want to make sure you are using the latest wordpress version before you do that, though - I'm not sure if it matters but maybe some of the new themes might not work with an older version?
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11-16-2008, 11:44 AM	#6
Asher Constantly Learning Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Singapore. Posts: 831 Blog Entries: 50 Thanks: 49 Thanked 52 Times in 35 Posts Social Networking	Re: My WP Blog Design Sucks...How Can I Change It And Not Lose All My Articles? Hi Steven, You don't have to. Just look for a new design theme, download it and upload the new theme into your blog... Upload the new theme folder into: wp-content > themes Then when you login to your WP dashboard, click on Design > Theme and choose the new look. Activate it. Viola~ Asher
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11-16-2008, 11:47 AM	#8
Ron Douglas Senior Warrior Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: New York Posts: 1,357 Thanks: 25 Thanked 150 Times in 38 Posts Contact Info	Re: My WP Blog Design Sucks...How Can I Change It And Not Lose All My Articles? Adding and changing the WP blog template won't affect your content.
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11-16-2008, 11:51 AM	#11
matthewd Licensing Pro Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Springfield, MO Posts: 638 Thanks: 22 Thanked 23 Times in 16 Posts Social Networking	Re: My WP Blog Design Sucks...How Can I Change It And Not Lose All My Articles? Everyone is always telling me how easy Wordpress is, but I am with Steven on this one. I recently bought a new site that is built as a WP blog and I am completely lost when I log into the back-end of it.
	Easy Licensing Pro Forget Articles, Forget PPC, Forget SEO.

11-16-2008, 11:54 AM	#13
Ross Dalangin Senior Warrior Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: http://rossdalangin.com/affiliates/ Posts: 1,946 Blog Entries: 12 Thanks: 17 Thanked 15 Times in 12 Posts Social Networking	Re: My WP Blog Design Sucks...How Can I Change It And Not Lose All My Articles? Most of the templates are compatible to old versions. Just upload the extracted theme to /wp-content/themes/ folder on your FTP software. Next step is to login to your wp-admin and find the design of the new template, click it and choose activate or similar words. Just try it and if won't work just re-activate the old one and find another template you like. Ross
	WSO: Birthday Explosion * Review Templates * Product Reviews Script * Clickbank Mall Script List Building * Redirect Manager * Coupon Script * PayDotCom Mall Script Affiliate Course * Self-Made Millionaires Revealed! * ThinkGrowRich Audio * Overflowing Income Report Profits * Web Wealth Jumpstart System * My Previous WSOs!