There are a few different ways to install a WordPress Theme on your website: through the theme directory, using the upload method, or with file transfer protocol (FTP). The theme directory and upload methods are simpler, but installing via FTP is best for larger themes, custom themes, or when the WordPress dashboard is not accessible.
Method 1: Upload via WordPress Admin Panel
This is the recommended method due to its ease and direct integration with WordPress.
1. Ensure you have the porto.zip file.
First, download the .zip file you bought in the theme marketplace.
2. Navigate to Appearance > Themes.
Then, log in to your WordPress account and go to Appearance in the menu on the left of the dashboard and select Themes.
3. On the themes page, select Add New at the top of the page.
4. After clicking on the Add New button, select the Upload Theme button.
5. Upload and install the file.
After selecting Upload Theme, click Choose File. Select the theme .zip folder you've downloaded, then click Install Now.
6. Click Activate once complete.
After clicking Install, a message will appear that the theme installation was successful. Click Activate to make the theme live on your website.
Method 2: Upload via FTP
If you have chosen a complex, robust theme with large files, it might be too big to upload manually. In this case, you'll need to use FTP to upload the theme. There are six steps to installing your WordPress theme using FTP.
1. Download FTP Client to your computer.
To begin this process, you will need to download an FTP Client to your computer. This is a software tool that allows you to access and add or delete files on your website server.
2. Create an FTP account through your hosting provider.
Next, you'll need to gain access to your hosting provider account through the FTP Client. Usually, you will have to set up your own FTP user account within your hosting dashboard, however, it is a different process for every hosting provider. Typically, the hosting provider gives you a username and password when you make a new account, which you'll need when creating your FTP Client account.
3. Download your theme and unzip the file.
If you don't already have your theme file downloaded to your computer, download it now. Once you've downloaded your files, you'll need to unzip and compress your file. You can do this by simply right-clicking the porto.zip file, then selecting Extract.
4. Upload the theme folder to WordPress to install.
Within the FTP Client, find the root of your WordPress install. Next, go into the wp-content folder, and select Themes. Upload the entire folder you unzipped here.
Note: Ensure the file structure is correct. The porto directory should be located directly within /wp-content/themes/, not nested inside another folder (e.g., /wp-content/themes/porto/). Double-check this to avoid installation and further theme update issues.
5. Activate the theme from your WordPress dashboard.
After you've uploaded the theme folder using the FTP Client, navigate back to the WordPress themes section on your dashboard. You should see your new theme as an option under your downloaded themes. Select the new theme and click Activate to make the theme live on your website.
