How to Export Theme from WordPress: Step-by-Step Guide

Are you looking to move your WordPress theme to a new site or simply want to create a backup? Exporting your theme is a crucial step in maintaining your website’s design and ensuring a smooth transition.

To help you learn how we’ll dive into both manual and plugin methods to export themes from the WordPress site. We’ll also explore the best practices followed by WordPress developers to export themes. Plus, if you face any issues during export, we’ll learn how to fix them with easy steps. But before that, let’s find out the reasons behind the exporting theme.

Why Export a Theme from WordPress?

Exporting a WordPress theme can be useful for several reasons, depending on the needs of the website owner or developer. Here are some key reasons:

• Backup: Exporting your theme creates a backup so that you can restore the WordPress site to the previous version if something goes wrong. This is especially important if you are planning to make changes to your theme that could break your site.
• Use the theme on multiple sites: If you have multiple WordPress sites, you can export a theme from one site and import it into another site. This can save you time and effort if you want to use the same theme on all of your sites.
• Making changes to a live site: If you are making changes to a live site, you can export the theme before you make the changes. This way, if you don’t like the changes, you can easily import the original theme back into your site.
• Site Migration: When you’re migrating your WordPress site to a host or new domain, having your theme exported ensures that your site’s appearance and structure remain intact, minimizing any disruptions.
• Sharing a Custom Theme: For theme developers, exporting a theme is essential for sharing or selling it to others. It packages all necessary files, ensuring that the end users can install and activate the theme without complications.

Exporting your theme creates a backup, ensuring you have a copy of your customizations in case of its deletion or site crashes. Plus, exporting WordPress themes makes it easier to manage, share, or migrate. Now, let’s learn the various methods WordPress development experts use to export themes.

How to Export a WordPress Theme?

There are several methods to export a WordPress theme, depending on your technical skills and specific needs. Here’s a breakdown of the three most common ways:

Method 1: Manual Export

Exporting a WordPress theme manually is the simplest method. You can do it directly from the WordPress dashboard with no other tools required. Here are the steps to export a WordPress theme manually:

Step 1: Navigate to your WordPress dashboard and select Appearance > Themes.

Step 2: Make sure the theme you want to export is active, then click Customize. If it is not active, hover over the theme and click Activate.

Step 3: Once you have selected the theme, we can start with its export process. To export the theme file navigate to Tools > Export. Then, click on the Export button located in the top right corner of the theme editor.

Step 4: Once the export process is complete, download the .zip file to your computer. You can then import and install this theme file on another WordPress website.

Step 5: To import your theme, go to your WordPress dashboard and navigate to Appearance > Themes.

Step 6: Click Add New > Upload Themes > Choose File, located on the top of the page.

Step 7: Find and select the theme (.zip file) you want to import. Then click Open to confirm.

Step 8: To install the theme, click on the Install Now button and then the Activate button to use it on your live website.

These built-in tools also let you backup your WordPress site completely with ease. But now, let’s check on the next method to export a theme from WordPress using a plugin. 

Method 2: Using a Plugin

You can export a theme from WordPress using various plugins like UpdraftPlus and All-in-One WP Migration. Here, we are going to use the Updraft plugin to show you how to use it:

Step 1: Go to the WordPress dashboard, navigate to Plugins > Add New, and search for the Updraft plugin. Then, download and install the plugin.

Step 2: Once installed, activate the plugin and select Settings > UpdraftPlus Backups.

Step 3: Click on the Backup Now available on the Backup/Restore tab.

Step 4: Check the Themes and Include your files in the backup boxes and then click Backup Now.

Step 5: Now, scroll down to the Existing Backup section and click on the Download to get it on your computer.

Here, we used a backup plugin to create a full site backup, including your theme. This method is best for complete backups that also include other site data, or when you need to migrate your entire site.

Method 3: Using  Customizer Settings

To export WordPress Theme Customizer Settings, you can use the Customizer Export/Import WordPress plugin. This plugin allows you to export the theme customizer settings and apply them to another website. Here are the steps:

Step 1: In the WordPress dashboard, go to Plugins > Add New, search for Customizer Export/Import, and install and activate the plugin.

Step 2: After activation, navigate to Appearance > Customize, where you’ll find an Export/Import section.

Step 3: Select the option to export, and the plugin will download a .dat file containing the customizer settings.

Step 4: Save this file securely on your system. When you migrate or reinstall the theme, you can use the same plugin to import the customizer settings. That ensures the appearance and settings are replicated as they were.

Step 5: To import these settings into another WordPress site, install and activate the same plugin on that site.

Step 6: Go to Appearance > Customize > Import, then click Choose File and upload the .dat file you exported.

Step 7: Once the theme is applied, click the Save & Publish button to deploy the changes on the live site.

In this method, we exported only the theme’s customizer settings, preserving the design but not the theme files. This method is used when you don’t want to re-upload the entire theme or want to apply a specific design to a new site.

You choose any of the above methods to export a theme from the WordPress site. Choose the manual method if you are comfortable with the WordPress ecosystem. If you are planning to move themes from multiple sites, using a plugin can be beneficial. To get your site migrated with no downtime, consider hiring WordPress developers.

Best Practices for Exporting a Theme from WordPress

When exporting a theme from WordPress, following best practices ensures a smooth transition and avoids issues like missing files or settings. Here are some best practices to follow:

• Backup your theme files and database: Before exporting your theme, it’s essential to create a complete backup of your WordPress site’s files and database. This will provide a safety net in case something goes wrong during the export process.
• Ensure compatibility: Make sure the theme you’re exporting is compatible with the WordPress version on the destination site. Incompatible themes may not function correctly or display errors.
• Choose the right plugin: Consider using a WordPress plugin to simplify the export process. Popular options include All-in-One WP Migration, UpdraftPlus, and Duplicator. These plugins can streamline the export process and ensure all necessary files are included.
• Use a Child Theme: If your theme includes custom code or styles, ensure these are housed within a child theme. This way, you’ll avoid losing changes during updates and can export the child theme separately from the parent theme.
• Choose the Right Method: Select the method that best suits your requirements. If you only need the theme files, manual export is sufficient. UpdraftPlus is a good option for a full-site backup. If you just want to transfer the theme’s design, exporting customizer settings is appropriate.
• Keep Themes Updated: Regularly update your WordPress themes to benefit from security patches, bug fixes, and new features. Outdated themes can pose security risks and compatibility issues.

By following these best practices, professional WordPress developers minimize the risk of losing data when exporting your theme.

Troubleshooting WordPress Theme Exports

If you encounter issues during your WordPress theme export, here are some troubleshooting tips:

• Check for Errors: When encountering issues during the export process, start by inspecting your browser’s developer console and your WordPress site’s error logs. Look for any error messages or warnings that might provide clues about the problem.
• Verify Backup: Ensure that your backup includes all the necessary files and data, including your theme files and customizer settings. To verify its integrity, try restoring your site from the backup.
• Inspect Theme Files: Manually check the exported theme files for any signs of corruption or errors. Pay attention to the file structure and ensure it adheres to WordPress standards.
• Troubleshoot Plugin Conflicts: Temporarily deactivate all plugins that might interfere with the export process. If the issue is resolved, gradually reactivate plugins to identify the culprit.
• Update WordPress and Plugins: Keep your WordPress installation and plugins up-to-date to avoid compatibility issues and potential security vulnerabilities.
• Correct permissions: Ensure that the files and folders in your theme directory have the correct permissions (usually 644 for files and 755 for directories). Incorrect permissions can prevent successful file transfers.
• Test on a Staging Site: If possible, test your exported theme on a staging site to isolate any problems without affecting your live site. This allows you to experiment and troubleshoot WordPress sites without risking its functionality.
• Seek Support: If you’re using a paid theme, reach out to the theme development company for assistance. Community forums like WordPress.org can also provide valuable advice from other users.
• Consider Alternatives: If you continue to encounter issues, explore alternative methods for exporting your theme, such as using a different plugin or doing it manually.

By following these tips, you will be able to fix common issues that occurred during WordPress theme export. If you are still not able to fix the issue, it’s recommended that you get a WordPress website maintenance package.

FAQs About Exporting a Theme from WordPress

Conclusion

Exporting your WordPress theme is crucial to safeguard your site, facilitate development, and share it with others. By following the method that aligns with your needs, you can export your theme for various purposes. Here is how to choose:

• Manual method: If you have a simple theme with minimal customizations and you prefer a direct and hands-on approach.
• Using a plugin: For a streamlined and automated approach, a theme export/import plugin can simplify the process.
• Using customizer settings: You only need to transfer the theme’s design, and the actual theme files aren’t required.

By choosing one of these methods and following best practices, you can ensure a seamless export. If you face any trouble or need us to export your site, hire WordPress developers.