How to install a WordPress theme in your cpanel

The easiest way to install your WordPress theme is through the WordPress dashboard. Simply go to Appearance > Themes > Add New and select your zipped theme file. Sometimes this doesn’t work however, and then you’ll have to upload it in your cPanel.

Your cPanel is located in the Hosting Manager of your web hosting account. It is short for Control Panel and it is the location of all your website files and databases.

In this tutorial I’ll show you how to install your WordPress theme in the cPanel.

Make sure you have your Hosting Manager login details and your downloaded zipped theme file ready to go.

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Before installing a WordPress Theme

Before installing a WordPress theme make sure you chose the right theme. If you have zero experience in using WordPress I highly recommend buying a premium theme.

Buying a theme might seem unnecessary and expensive at first but once you tried a premium theme you’ll see the difference. Premium themes are like buying a website in a box. Template pages are ready to go, all you have to do is replace your content.

A great theme for beginners is Divi. It has a drag & drop builder that makes it super easy to get the look you want. It even comes with more than 20 pre-made layouts! You can check out Divi on the Elegant Themes website.

Another great theme is Enfold, I’ll be uploading this theme in this tutorial. You can find Enfold on Envato Market.

If you’re a VA or web developer and you want to create multiple websites per year I highly recommend checking out these WordPress Theme Packages. These packages come with an unlimited licence and for a one-time fee you get lifetime access, updates and support.

Ok now you’ve got a great WordPress theme let’s install it in the cPanel.

How to install a WordPress theme in your cPanel

1. Log in to your hosting manager

Your cPanel is located in the hosting manager of your web hosting provider. Your web hosting welcome email should have your login details in it. If you can’t find this email contact your web host and they will resend the welcome email or a password reset link.

2. Find your cPanel

Once you’re in the hosting manager you need to navigate to your cPanel. Look for a button or link that says: cPanel. If you’re hosting with Bluehost, click Advanced in the Bluehost portal.

3. Select File Manager

Scroll down to the Files section and select File Manager. In Bluehost the File Manager looks like this.

If you don’t host your blog with Bluehost the File Manager will most likely look like this:

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4. In the pop-up box select Public FTP Root and click on Go

5. Select the folder public_html

6. Select your wp-content folder

7. Click on themes

This is the location that you’ll want to upload your theme files to.

8. Find the upload icon in the top of the screen and select it

9. Click on Choose File and navigate to your zipped theme file

10. Select it and it will start uploading

In the bottom right of the screen you’ll be able to see your upload progress, wait for it to be 100% complete.

11. Click on “Go Back to… ” to return to your file directory

12. Locate your zipped theme file and select it

13. Click extract at the top of the screen

14. Click Extract Files

Make sure that the path where you’ll be uploading your theme to, is right.

It has to be:   /public_html/yourdomain.com/wp-content/themes.

15. Now you should see your unzipped folder like this:

Sometimes it won’t show up straight away, but you can log into your WordPress Dashboard and go to Appearance > Themes and it will be there.

If you have any problems on the way I recommend contacting your web hosting provider, they are absolute guru’s at this.

… and that’s how you install a WordPress theme in your cPanel

I hope you found this tutorial helpful, if you have any questions please let me know in the comments below.

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