Create WordPress Theme: Step By Step for Custom Development

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The simplest form of pagination is placing the posts_nav_link().function in the template after the loop. This generates links both to the next page of posts (when you’re breaking up post lists) and to the previous posts where applicable.

posts_nav_link();

You can also use next_posts_link & prev_posts_link to control where the previous and next posts page link shows up.

next_posts_link();

previous_posts_link();

Comments

Comments are an essential part of any blog or page. It gives website visitors the possibility to reach out to you, give feedback, ask questions and generally, create a deeper bond with your website and your content.

All comments are displayed in the admin area and there are several features you can add, from enabling commenting only for specific users to comment moderation.

You can use the comments.php file to customize the look and feel of comments in your theme.

Other pages and Files

Depending on your needs, you can find or create different pages and files and can tailor them to your preferences by using the same or similar guidelines mentioned above.

Using Parent/Child Theme

Parent theme

Parent themes in WP are themes that are declared “parents” by other themes, namely, child themes.

A child theme is used to allow designers and developers to create customizations to themes without breaking the possibility to update the parent theme. This is because if a developer changes the original theme files, then when performing a theme update, the changes are lost.

However, parent themes pass on their features and functionality to their child themes. Developers are free to make changes to the child theme’s functionality and features without affecting the parent theme’s upgradability.

Child theme

Child themes inherit the functionality of the parent themes. They are primarily used to modify an existing theme without losing any previously added custom styling during theme updates.

Child themes speed up the development process because it’s easy to create modifications with them.

Most themes will create a child theme and make it available with the theme, so that anybody who uses the theme can customize it through the child theme. We define how to create a child theme, in our article here.

Using Development Frameworks

This term refers to the code libraries that are used in theme development.

Development frameworks were created to serve as parent theme templates with all the functionality. Basically, like with parent themes, frameworks remain untouched while developers can carry out modifications in child themes.

This makes development faster and eases getting rid of bugs in specific theme frameworks. Notable Development frameworks include the Genesis theme framework, Themify and Divi by Elegant Themes.

Wrapping up how to Create WordPress Theme

The above has been a detailed step-by-step guide to getting started with developing your own custom WordPress theme.

All in all, while you need to have a good understanding of WordPress and PHP, it’s not such a demanding process. Knowing web development basics is important, and you can understand the WordPress core in more detail as you develop. If you don’t feel like being up to the task just yet, it’s okay, take your time and experiment a bit.

Once you’ve made a few mistakes, you’ll start learning more and more. It’s also good to take a look at the code base of other popular themes to understand what they are doing and get a good idea of practices that makes sense.

Do let us know if you have any questions in the comments below.

About the Author

Author: David AttardWebsite: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dattard/Email: david@collectiveray.com

David has been working in or around the online and digital industry for the last 21 years. He has vast experience in the software and web design industries using WordPress, Joomla and niches surrounding them. He has worked with software development agencies, international software companies, local marketing agencies and now is Head of Marketing Operations at Aphex Media – an SEO agency. As a digital consultant, his focus is on helping businesses get a competitive advantage using a combination of their website and digital platforms available today. His blend of technology expertise combined with a strong business acumen brings a competitive edge to his writings.