How to Create a WordPress Child Theme (Step-by-Step Video)
How to Create a WordPress Child Theme (Step-by-Step Video)
Creating a child theme for your WordPress blog can be confusing, but it doesn’t have to be. Thanks to the Child Theme Configurator WordPress plugin, you can easily have a child theme up and running in a matter of minutes.
What is a Child Theme?
If you’re new to the concept, a child theme is a WordPress theme that inherits the functionality of the parent WordPress theme (the initial theme you installed).
It’s hands down the best, safest, and easiest way to modify an existing theme.
The reason a child theme is so important is that it allows you to modify, or add to the functionality, of a parent theme. It’s hands down the best, safest, and easiest way to modify an existing theme because instead of modifying the parent theme files directly, you can create a child theme and override those files within.
Why Use a Child Theme?
If you don’t have a child theme, every change you make could potentially be lost when there’s an update to the parent theme. However, with a child theme, your changes are safe and you’ll still inherit the functionality of the parent theme. Basically, if you’re going to be customizing your theme, then you need to have a child theme in place.
How to Create a Child Theme
In this video tutorial, I walk you through the process of creating a child theme using the Child Theme Configurator. Additionally, I address the PHP debug output issue that a lot of people run into while creating a child theme.
Important Links for This Video
1. Child Theme Configurator Plugin
Download the plugin for free: https://wordpress.org/plugins/child-theme-configurator/
2. Web Hosting
Access Bluehost's exclusive offer for WordPress bloggers (affiliate link) and set up your new web hosting today: https://www.bluehost.com/track/bennyc23/youtube?page=/wordpress
3. FAQ
Child Theme Configurator FAQ: http://www.childthemeconfigurator.com/child-theme-faqs/
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Written by Ben Cummings
Founder of blogwithben.com
Ben is a Digital Marketing and CMS Specialist for Bridgepoint Education who holds an MBA with a specialization in Entrepreneurship. He enjoys teaching, blogging, startups, a hoppy IPA, and college basketball. Whenever he's not blogging, you can find him cruising around sunny San Diego with his amazing family.
Thank you Ben! You have been an absolute life saver as I embark on a completely foreign path. I am NOT computer savvy and was at a complete loss at what to do to set up me new blog. I found your video on pintress and watched all 4 hours of it. I referred to some of your other You Tube video to set up me website email, point my GoDaddy to Bluehost and this one! Without you and your in dept step by step tutorials, I would've given up.