Once you’ve settled on the perfect them, or coded your own, you’re ready to move on to the next step: turning the template into a WordPress theme. These templates are free, minimalist, will translate easily to WordPress, and they’re built with Bootstrap. As a result, a basic blog template based on Bootstrap is exactly the sort of thing I’m looking for.įor this tutorial, I’ve settled on the Blog Post and Blog Home templates from Start Bootstrap. I’m a minimalist when it comes to web design and a proponent of “mobile-first” design. However, the more non-traditional the template you select, the more work it will take to convert it into a fully-functional WordPress theme. That doesn’t mean that you can’t convert any template into a WordPress theme. When looking at templates - or coding your own - think about how the parts of the template will translate into a WordPress theme. However, your task will be much easier if you pick a template layout that sticks closely to the core functionality built into WordPress: posts, pages, a sidebar, a header, and a footer. You can convert any HTML template into a WordPress theme. Step 1: Find a Template or Build Your Own
If you get stuck at any point along the way and want to compare the template files I used with the finished WordPress theme, you can get a copy of the template files from Start Bootstrap and see my WordPress theme’s source code at GitHub.
You can learn what you need to know by taking a course or two, or by reading through our beginner and intermediate WordPress development series. If the terms “template hierarchy”, “codex”, and “the loop” are unfamiliar to you, then you need to do some homework before jumping into this tutorial. You’re also going to need to be familiar with how WordPress themes work and have basic PHP coding skills before diving headfirst into this project. I’ve used GitHub to track my changes and host the finished product, and Sourcetree to serve an easy-to-use GUI for git. A git repo to keep track of your changes: While this isn’t technically a requirement, it’s a good idea.A local WordPress installation: It’s best to build a WordPress theme while you have as few plugins activated as possible, so either create a new installation or use an existing installation after deactivating as many plugins as possible.
We’ve detailed how to use XAMPP, MAMP, WAMP, VVV, and Vagrant. A local server to power WordPress: There are many options to consider.Here are the tools you will need in place before you start work: In order to convert an HTML5 template into a WordPress theme, the first thing you’ll need to do is get your development environment set up. Follow along, and you’ll be able to do the same. In this article, I’ll start with a simple HTML5 template and turn it into a full-fledged WordPress theme. If you’ve never built a WordPress theme before, converting a template will really stretch your WordPress development muscles - in a very good way.If you want a WordPress theme that isn’t being used by thousands of other sites, converting an HTML5 template is one way to end up with a completely custom WordPress theme.Using an HTML5 template means you don’t end up loading up your site with a bunch of features you don’t plan to use.It’s a lot easier to tweak a simple HTML template than a complex WordPress theme. Don’t like some part of the template? Change it. Using an HTML5 template means you have complete control over every minute detail of the appearance of your website.There are a few good reasons why you might want to take on this project. Why Convert an HTML Template Into a WordPress Theme? Step 5: Replace Template File Content with WordPress Functions.Step 3: Properly Enqueue Scripts and Styles.Step 2: Turn the HTML5 Template into a WordPress Theme.Step 1: Find a Template or Build Your Own.Setting Up Your Development Environment.Why Convert an HTML Template Into a WordPress Theme?.In this post, I’ll show you how.Ĭontinue reading, or jump ahead using these links: The truth is, as long as you have some basic WordPress programming skills, converting an HTML5 template into a WordPress theme is within reach - provided you’re willing to put in the effort. However, every once in a while, you probably have this thought flit across your mind: “I should just code an HTML5 template and convert it into a WordPress theme.”īut that’s just a pipe dream right? Let’s be realistic.
What do you do when you can’t find the perfect WordPress theme? In all likelihood, you probably turn to a theme framework.