Switching sites and themes
-
Ok… Here’s the scenario:
I have a blog / website that is using a theme that I would like to change.
Current blog: BelgianBeerJournal.wordpress.com
Since it appears that WordPress does not allow “behind the scenes” theme changes and editing before making the website live, I have created another blog / website address that I am creating all new changes to.
New (secondary) blog: BelgianBeerJournalblog.wordpress.com
Once I am finished with all the changes, updates, etc., to this secondary site, I will export it as an XML file to my computer. I have also created an XML file of my “current” site, and downloaded that to my computer as well.
My questions:
1. When I import my secondary (new) site’s XML file to my “current” site, do I need to delete all the old files in my current site to make room for the new files, or will the old files be overwritten with the new ones? I do have different pages in the new site…
2. Obviously, the themes between my “current” site and the new, secondary site are different. Do I need to change the theme of my current site to that of the new one, so the transfer will be more seamless?
Those are my concerns! I look forward to any answers that will help me…
-Gordon
The blog I need help with is: (visible only to logged in users)
-
There’s an easier way to do this, but let me answer your questions first:
1. When I import my secondary (new) site’s XML file to my “current” site, do I need to delete all the old files in my current site to make room for the new files, or will the old files be overwritten with the new ones? I do have different pages in the new site…
When you upload an xml file to an existing site the new content is merged with the old content, i.e. the old content is not overwritten. Thus, if you no longer want the old content to appear, you’ll need to delete it before you import the new content. Keep in mind that the export file doesn’t contain images, only links to them in your media library, so only delete any media files on either site until you’ve finished importing content to the other site and made sure the media images have been transferred.
2. Obviously, the themes between my “current” site and the new, secondary site are different. Do I need to change the theme of my current site to that of the new one, so the transfer will be more seamless?
The export file contains ONLY content, i.e. posts, pages and comments. The theme, any customisations including custom headers, backgrounds and menus, as well as any settings you changed WON’T be transferred. You’ll need to make all those changes manually.
Now for the easier way:
Either set a static page as your temporary home page where you explain that you’re making some changes and visitors must please be patient if the appearance keeps changing, etc.
Or, you set the entire site to private, make the changes you want to make, and then set the site back to public.
Either way you won’t need to muck around with exports and run the risk of losing your content if you accidentally delete the wrong thing at the wrong time.
-
FWIW, I always make changes to my site live and have never had readers complain about it. I usually try out the changes on a test site first, just to iron out any kinks, and then go to my main site and just duplicate them. Updates to static pages I just do without worrying about it too much :)
-
Since it appears that WordPress does not allow “behind the scenes” theme changes and editing before making the website live…
Not sure what you mean by this. Theme changes and edits can certainly be made on private website.
1. When I import my secondary (new) site’s XML file to my “current” site, do I need to delete all the old files in my current site to make room for the new files, or will the old files be overwritten with the new ones? I do have different pages in the new site…
Neither. The old and the new may remain, unless the total combined used volume exceeds the allowed storage space.
Do I need to change the theme of my current site to that of the new one, so the transfer will be more seamless?
No. Might be a good idea though, if you want to see what it will look like with the different theme. I don’t think it will affect the ease of the transfer.
-
-
-
Uh, although not my favorite app since they don’t have the bugs worked out 100%, but isn’t this what the Customizer is for?
-
-
Dear kokkieh:
I like your idea of a private site… less muck and less worry about things being lost in the translation. Thanks for the suggestion!
Cheers,
Gordon
- The topic ‘Switching sites and themes’ is closed to new replies.
WordPress.com Forums 