Changing your WordPress theme can bring new and exciting possibilities for your website. It can improve its appearance, functionality and overall user experience. However, it is equally important to understand what the consequences of this change may be, especially if your site already has existing code or custom settings. In this article, we will discuss what happens when you change your WordPress theme and how to manage the process effectively.
Loss of custom features and personalization
The first thing you'll notice when you change your WordPress theme is that all the custom features and personalizations you made on the previous theme may not carry over. This includes custom CSS codes, PHP modifications, as well as any changes made using the WordPress theme editor.
Solution: One way to solve this problem is to use a plugin like “Simple Custom CSS and JS”. This plugin allows you to add custom CSS and JavaScript code to your site, regardless of the theme you are using.
Changes in the structure of widgets
Your widgets may look different or even stop working after you change the theme. Each theme has its own widget structure and not all themes support the same widget placements.
Solution: Before changing the theme, it is recommended to take a screenshot of the widget layout or save their settings. After changing the theme, you can manually restore the widgets to their place.
Interrupted pages and posts
Another potential problem is that some pages or posts may appear different or even stop working. This is especially likely if you've used custom page templates or features that are theme-specific.
Solution: You can use the “Theme Switch” plugin, which allows you to check what your pages look like after changing the theme before you make the changes live.
SEO problem
Another aspect to pay attention to is the impact on SEO. Some themes may be better optimized for SEO than others. Switching to a theme that isn't properly optimized can affect your rankings in search results.
Solution: Use an SEO plugin like “Yoast SEO” to help optimize your site for SEO regardless of the theme you use.
Plugin compatibility issues
Some plugins may not work properly after changing the theme. Especially plugins that have been integrated with the previous theme.
Solution: Before changing the theme, check that all your plugins are compatible with the new theme. You can do this by checking on the theme's website or contacting the plugin developer.
To sum up, changing your WordPress theme is an exciting step that can definitely improve the appearance and functionality of your website. However, always remember that it is important to prepare for this change, understand the possible consequences and find appropriate solutions.