Beginner’s Guide to Installing and Customizing WordPress Themes & Plugins (2025 Guide)

Alok maurya September 11, 2025

Learn how to install, activate, and customize WordPress themes and plugins with this beginner-friendly guide. Boost your site’s design, functionality, and SEO in 2025.

Introduction

If you have just begun to use WordPress, you may have heard of themes and plugins. These two parts are at the core of any WordPress site. Themes determine the design and layout, while plugins provide additional functionality for the site, such as SEO, security, forms, or e-commerce capabilities.

But installing and customizing them can feel a little overwhelming for newbies. Don’t worry! We have created this guide to help you understand how to install, activate, and customize themes and plugins on your 2025 WordPress site. After finishing the reading, you will be able to fully customize the look of your site and extend its functionality as needed.

What Are WordPress Themes and Plugins?

WordPress Themes

A WordPress theme defines how your website looks. It includes templates, typography, color schemes, and overall design. Some themes are simple and blog-focused, while others are multipurpose and work for businesses, portfolios, or online stores.

WordPress Plugins

A plugin is like an app for your website. It adds new features or enhances existing ones. For example

Together, themes and plugins let you build a customized website without coding knowledge.

How to Install a WordPress Theme

There are three main ways to install a theme

1. Install from the WordPress Repository

Log in to your WordPress dashboard.
Go to Appearance → Themes → Add New.
Browse featured, popular, or latest themes, or use the search bar.
Click Install and then Activate.

This method is best for free themes available on WordPress.org.

2. Upload a Theme (Premium or Custom)

If you purchased a theme from a marketplace (like ThemeForest) or a developer

Download the .zip theme file.
Go to Appearance → Themes → Add New → Upload Theme.
Select the file, upload it, and click Install Now.
Activate the theme.

3. Install via FTP (Advanced Method)

For developers or troubleshooting

Connect to your site using an FTP client like FileZilla.
Navigate to wp-content/themes/.
Upload the theme folder.
Activate it in the dashboard under Appearance → Themes.

Connect to your site using an FTP client like FileZilla.
Navigate to wp-content/themes/.
Upload the theme folder.
Activate it in the dashboard under Appearance → Themes.

How to Install a WordPress Plugin

1. Install from WordPress Repository

Go to Plugins → Add New.
Search for the plugin name (e.g., “Yoast SEO”).
Click Install Now, then Activate.

2. Upload a Plugin (Premium or Custom)

Download the plugin .zip file.
Go to Plugins → Add New → Upload Plugin.
Choose the file, upload, and click Install Now.
Activate the plugin.

3. Install via FTP (Advanced)

Extract the plugin file.
Use FTP to upload it into wp-content/plugins/.
Activate from the dashboard.

Customizing Your WordPress Theme

Once installed, a theme can be customized in several ways

1. Using the WordPress Customizer

2. Using Theme Options Panel

Many premium themes come with a built-in options panel. You can

3. Using Page Builders

If your theme supports page builders like Elementor or Divi, you can drag and drop elements to design custom pages without coding.

4. Editing Code (Advanced Users)

For maximum control, you can edit theme files (style.css, functions.php) via the Theme Editor or a child theme. Always use a child theme to prevent losing changes after updates.

Customizing WordPress Plugins

Plugins often come with their own settings menu under Settings or in the WordPress dashboard. For example

SEO settings appear in the dashboard.

Provides a setup wizard for payment, products, and shipping.

Lets you design pages directly from its interface.

👉 Tip: Always check documentation or setup wizards after activating a new plugin.

Best Practices for Themes and Plugins

Use lightweight themes for speed and SEO.
Update regularly to keep your site secure.
Don’t overload with plugins—only install what you need.
Check compatibility with your WordPress version before installing.
Backup your site before switching themes or installing new plugins.
Use child themes when customizing code.

Common Issues and Fixes

Make sure you upload the .zip file, not the extracted folder.

Deactivate plugins one by one to find the culprit.

Clear cache or check if you’re editing the correct page template.

Recommended WordPress Themes for Beginners (2025)

Astra Lightweight, fast, multipurpose.
GeneratePress SEO-friendly and minimal.
OceanWP Highly customizable with WooCommerce support.
Kadence Drag-and-drop header and footer builder.
Neve Perfect for blogs, startups, and small businesses.

Must-Have WordPress Plugins for Beginners (2025)

Yoast SEO Optimize your site for search engines.
Elementor Build custom pages without coding.
WooCommerce Sell products and services online.
WPForms Create contact and subscription forms.
UpdraftPlus Backup and restore your site easily.
Wordfence Security Protect your site from malware and hackers.
LiteSpeed Cache Boost site speed with caching.

Conclusion

Installing and customizing WordPress themes and plugins may seem challenging at first, but once you understand the process, it’s straightforward. Themes give your website its identity, while plugins provide the features that make it functional. With the right setup and customization, you can build a professional, SEO-friendly, and secure website in 2025 without touching a single line of code.

Take your time experimenting, but always remember the golden rules: update regularly, use reliable sources, and keep your site optimized for speed and SEO.

FAQs: Beginner’s Guide to WordPress Themes & Plugins

What’s the difference between a theme and a plugin in WordPress? A theme controls your site’s design, while plugins add new features or functions.
Can I use multiple themes at once in WordPress? No, only one theme can be active at a time. But you can use unlimited plugins.
How do I know if a plugin is safe? Check reviews, last update date, active installations, and developer reputation.
Should I use free or premium themes/plugins? Free ones are fine for small sites. Premium ones offer advanced features and support.
Will switching themes delete my content? No, your posts and pages remain. However, some theme-specific features may disappear.
Can plugins slow down my WordPress site? Yes, too many plugins (or poorly coded ones) can affect performance.
How often should I update my themes and plugins? Regularly—ideally as soon as updates are released.
What happens if a plugin crashes my site? Deactivate it via the dashboard or by renaming its folder in FTP.
Can I customize a theme without coding? Yes, with the WordPress Customizer or page builders like Elementor.
Do I need to back up my site before changing themes or installing plugins? Yes, always back up to prevent data loss or downtime.