Customizing WordPress

There are basically two ways to customize themes in WordPress.  One is to customize the functionality of the blog itself which involves getting into the loop.  Another is to build around the existing CSS of an already stable theme.  There is a lot that can be done by simply dissecting the chosen base theme and using the CSS to do what is needed.

When switching or editing templates from within the WordPress Dashboard, users should ensure that the original is kept intact and work with a copy.  This would facilitate immediate switch back should anything go wrong.  It would be wise and time saving to choose a theme that at least vaguely resembles what is required.  The file should be downloaded and extracted to the \wordpress\wp-content\themes\directory if the choices are not one of the defaults.

The same downloaded fill can either be extracted to the same place and giving it a different name or navigated to the themes folder and copying/posting it into the same directory and giving it a different name.  The result will be two identical themes with one bearing the correct name and the other the given name.  The style CSS fill in one’s favorite text editor is to be opened up and the first few lines edited appropriately, then saved and closed.

Both themes should be seen with the correct names beside them upon login and opening under Presentation>.  The one bearing the given name is activated.  If any edits to the theme do not turn out as expected, real-time switching back to the default can always be done.