Can we run existing theme whilst setting up new (premium) theme?

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  tomorrowswarriors · Member · Sep 26, 2015 at 5:26 am

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  Hi there

  We wish to change to a premium theme (Maisha) from Twenty Eleven. However, judging by the preview, we’d need to do quite a bit of changing around before making the switch public. Is it possible to keep our existing theme while we set up the new theme so that our website remains legible and accessible during this set up time? Or do we have to go live straightaway with the new theme (really troublesome if this is the case).

  Thanks for your help!

  The blog I need help with is: (visible only to logged in users)

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  musicdoc1 · Member · Sep 26, 2015 at 6:41 am

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  Hi,

  No, you can’t have two different themes activated on the same WordPress.com site, one publicly visible, and one in the administrative areas.

  Years ago, I used to create duplicate sites which I used for testing various themes and alternative ideas. In recent years I’ve heard in this forum that duplicating a site is discouraged, but I don’t see what the harm would be if the duplicate is to kept private and used for testing, renovations, etc.

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  musicdoc1 · Member · Sep 26, 2015 at 6:43 am

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  If you’re concerned about whether duplicating a site, to be used for testing and renovation purposes, is allowed, you may add a “modlook” tag to the sidebar of this topic to call for staff attention.

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  tomorrowswarriors · Member · Sep 26, 2015 at 7:15 am

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  Thanks very much for your prompt feedback. Wasn’t expecting an answer quite so quickly!

  Good idea about the duplicate private site. Will do as you suggest re ‘modlook’ tag to make sure this is acceptable.

  Thanks again! Much appreciated.

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  staff-doublebassd · Staff · Sep 28, 2015 at 3:29 pm

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  Hi there,

  @doc is absolutely correct.

  You can’t have two different themes activated on the same blog at the same exact time, one being viewable to the public while the other one under construction.

  What you could do is:

  • Create a private testing blog
  • Export the content from the current public site to your private test blog
  • Redesign the entire site to your liking using the new Maisa theme
  • Once done, empty the public site and import the content from the private site over
  • Transfer the Maisa theme from the private blog to the public blog and activate

  That would allow you to design your site while having the other one publicly viewable. Then when you’re ready to transfer, the site will only be down for 10-15 minutes, tops.

  Let me know if you have any questions.

  Thanks!

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  tomorrowswarriors · Member · Sep 28, 2015 at 7:22 pm

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  Brilliant! Thanks very much Darnell. And thanks musicdoc1 too!

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  staff-doublebassd · Staff · Sep 28, 2015 at 7:57 pm

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  You’re welcome!

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  musicdoc1 · Member · Sep 28, 2015 at 8:38 pm

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  You’re welcome!