{"id":71089,"date":"2021-10-06T13:00:00","date_gmt":"2021-10-06T02:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/elements.blog-cms.envato.net\/?p=4150"},"modified":"2025-11-11T17:48:37","modified_gmt":"2025-11-11T06:48:37","slug":"install-themeforest-wordpress-theme","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/elements.envato.com\/learn\/install-themeforest-wordpress-theme","title":{"rendered":"How to Install Your WordPress Theme"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

So, you\u2019ve chosen to build a WordPress based website \u2013 congratulations on making an awesome decision! WordPress isn\u2019t only easy to use for blogging<\/a>, it also offer tons of fantastic options for design. Most notably, it offers thousands of awesome free and premium themes which allow you to customize the look of your website with just a few clicks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this article, we\u2019re going to show you how easy it can be to install a new WordPress theme<\/a> you\u2019ve purchased from ThemeForest. We\u2019ll also be highlighting some of the most common errors folks run into when installing a theme for the first time. So, grab a theme<\/a> and let\u2019s get started!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

First you need to choose your perfect domain name<\/a>. Then, select a good web host<\/a> such as SiteGround<\/a>, Bluehost<\/a> or Cloudways<\/a>, which offer affordable hosting options with WordPress installation that many people love. We personally prefer and use Managed WordPress hosting from WP Engine<\/a> where WordPress is already installed and configured for you (plus they manage your server side settings for you).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Option 1: Install Your Theme Through WordPress<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019ve purchased your theme at Themeforest, you\u2019ll need to download the theme file before you try and install it. Simply log into your account, go to your downloads and locate your theme. Click on the download button and select the \u201cInstallable WordPress file only\u201d. This will download the zip file for your theme.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Common Error: Downloading the Wrong Theme Zip File<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"Common<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Make absolutely, positively sure you select the \u201cInstallable WordPress file only\u201d option. If you select \u201cAll files & documentation\u201d by mistake, you will not be able to install this zip as is. Instead unzip the file and then locate the installable theme file within it. Luckily most developers clearly label their files, so it should be pretty easy to find.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Common Error: Stylesheet Is Missing<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"Stylesheet<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

If after clicking \u201cInstall Now\u201d you see an error that \u201cThe package could not be installed. The theme is missing the style.css stylesheet,\u201d then you probably didn\u2019t follow our instructions from step 1. You more than likely downloaded the \u201cAll files & Documentation\u201d instead of the the installable theme. Go back and double check that you\u2019ve downloaded the correct file.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Common Error: Are You Sure You Want to Do This?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"Are<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

After browsing for your theme and clicking the \u201cInstall Now\u201d button, it\u2019s possible your WordPress installation will ask \u201cAre you sure you want to do this?\u201d This could be due to the fact that you are trying to install the wrong zip file (remember – you want the \u201cInstallable WordPress file only\u201d) or it\u2019s possible the upload limit on your server isn\u2019t large enough.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If it\u2019s the latter, you\u2019ll need to contact your hosting company to have them increase it, or do it yourself by accessing your PHP.INI file via FTP and increasing the upload_max_filesize value.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Common Error: White Screen<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"WordPress's<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

If you attempt to install your theme, and end up on a white screen of death (you know, the WordPress version of the Windows blue screen of death) you probably need to make a tweak to your server. The most common cause of this error is that your server\u2019s memory limit to PHP is too low. To solve this either:<\/p>\n\n\n\n