Introduction
WordPress themes control the appearance, layout and design of your website.
WordPress Manager allows you to view and manage themes for your WordPress installation from a central location.
This guide explains how to manage themes using WordPress Manager.
Step 1 – Log Into DirectAdmin
Open your browser and visit: https://cp.yourdomain.co.za
(Replace yourdomain.co.za with your own domain name.)
Enter your DirectAdmin username and password.
Click: Log In
Step 2 – Open WordPress Manager
From the DirectAdmin dashboard
Click: Extra Features
Then click: WordPress Manager by Softaculous
Step 3 – Select Your Website
Locate the WordPress installation you wish to manage.
Click: the up-to-dater button or the dropdown arrow on the right side of the line.
Step 4 – View Installed Themes
Click: Manage Themes
WordPress Manager will display the themes installed on your website.
You may see:
- Theme name
- Theme version
- Theme status
- Available updates
Step 5 – Review Theme Updates
Themes should be kept up to date to ensure:
- Security
- Compatibility
- Stability
- Performance
Locate any themes that have updates available.
Step 6 – Update a Theme
Locate the theme you wish to update.
Click: The update round circle arrows next to the version number.
WordPress Manager will download and install the latest version of the theme.
Step 7 – Test Your Website
After updating the theme, visit your website and confirm that:
- Pages display correctly.
- Menus function correctly.
- Images display properly.
- Forms work correctly.
- Mobile layouts display correctly.
Theme updates can sometimes affect website layouts and customizations.
Step 8 – Remove Unused Themes
Unused themes are generally not required and should be removed where possible.
Keeping only the active theme and a default WordPress theme can help reduce maintenance and security risks.
Always ensure that a theme is not being used before removing it.
Common Problems
Website Layout Changes After an Update
Theme updates may introduce design changes or compatibility fixes.
Review your website carefully after updating.
Theme Is No Longer Maintained
If a theme has not been updated for a long period, consider replacing it with a supported alternative.
Outdated themes can create security and compatibility issues.
Customizations Are Missing
Some theme updates may affect customizations that were made directly within the theme.
Where possible, customizations should be performed using child themes or theme settings.
Best Practices
When managing themes:
- Keep themes updated.
- Remove unused themes.
- Create a backup before major updates.
- Test your website after updates.
- Use themes from reputable developers.
Regular theme maintenance helps keep your website secure and operating correctly.
Conclusion
WordPress Manager provides a convenient way to monitor and manage your installed themes.
Keeping themes updated and removing unused themes can improve website security, performance and reliability.
