New to WordPress

• 

  peterkaranicolas · Member · Jun 9, 2013 at 11:58 pm

  • Copy link
  • Add topic to favorites

  Hi, I am new to wordpress. I recently bought a wordpress theme from theme forest and I have no idea how to actually start using wordpress?

  I have an account now which is great but the dashboard doesn’t seem to tell me anything about adding your own theme. Does anyone know how do i install the theme and start editing it for a website?

  thanks in advance
  Pete

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

• 

  supernu · Member · Jun 10, 2013 at 1:12 am

  • Copy link

  To install a theme go to Dashboard > Appearance > Theme

  You should take a look at this

  http://learn.wordpress.com/get-started/

• 

  peterkaranicolas · Member · Jun 10, 2013 at 1:33 am

  • Copy link

  Supernu thank you for your help. Once you click on the theme a whole of word press themes come up but how do i activate the theme i bought if it doesn’t appear in the list?

• 

  timethief · Member · Jun 10, 2013 at 2:25 am

  • Copy link

  Hi Peter,
  We do not have FTP access to free hosted WordPress.com blogs and we not able to upload third party themes.
  http://en.support.wordpress.com/ftp-access/
  http://en.support.wordpress.com/themes/adding-new-themes/

  The only themes you can use on a free hosted WordPress.com blog are those found here > Appearance > Themes and showcased here > http://wordpress.com/themes/ You can use the filters there to locate a theme with sidebars.

  There is no upgrade you can purchase that changes this. If you intend to remain a WordPress.com return the theme and ask for a refund.

• 

  peterkaranicolas · Member · Jun 10, 2013 at 2:42 am

  • Copy link

  Hi Timethief,

  Thanks for your feedback here. I was under the impression if you bought a wordpress theme from a theme site it would then work on wordpress naturally.

  So if you go and buy a theme then how are you supposed to use it? I am not a techy so this all goes way over my head. Why can you buy wordpress themes if you can’t actually use them on wordpress?

• 

  timethief · Member · Jun 10, 2013 at 2:48 am

  • Copy link

  There are two very different “flavors” of WordPress.
  Read the comparison here http://support.wordpress.com/com-vs-org/

  You have a free hosted WordPress.com blog here http://peterkaranicolas.wordpress.com/ and you can only use the themes here http://wordpress.com/themes/ which are adapted to run on our software.

  You do not have a WordPress.org software install and that is the software for the theme you purchased. That is why I said if you intend to remain a WordPress.com you ought to return the theme and ask for a refund.

• 

  peterkaranicolas · Member · Jun 10, 2013 at 2:52 am

  • Copy link

  okay thank you. I really like the theme i bought thats why i dont want to have to choose another. interesting and definitely why i have always outsourced this sort of thing in the past.

  how do i get a wordpress.org software install? if i dont remain on wordpress then where exactly am i supposed to use the theme?

• 

  timethief · Member · Jun 10, 2013 at 2:58 am

  • Copy link

  Hi again,
  Here’s a link to recommended web hosts for WordPress.org software http://wordpress.org/hosting/

  The software is found here though most hosts provide it. http://wordpress.org/

  WordPress.com and WordPress.org are completely separate and have separate logins. If you don’t have a username account at WordPress.ORG click http://wordpress.org/support/ and register one on the top right hand corner of the page that opens, so you can post to the support forums there and receive advice from WordPress.ORG bloggers.

• 

  peterkaranicolas · Member · Jun 10, 2013 at 3:30 am

  • Copy link

  Is it the same thing or are they two very different platforms. Everyone has told me to use wordpress so i want to make sure i am using it if you know what i mean.