public_html<\/code>:wp-config.php<\/code> – Allows you to modify parts of the WordPress configuration, such as automatically removing items from the Trash, disabling revisions, etc.<\/li>.htaccess<\/code> – An Apache server file that allows you to perform different actions at a server level, such as URL redirection, enabling GZIP compression<\/a>, etc.<\/li><\/ul><\/li>- WordPress theme files, found in a folder named after the theme, which is found in
\/wp-content\/themes\/<\/code>:functions.php<\/code> – Allows you to add, remove, or change different functionalities on your theme, such as removing the featured image, changing the heading element (e.g. H2) of the titles, etc.<\/li>style.css<\/code> – Allows you to add custom CSS code to change parts of your theme’s design (colors, font, etc.).<\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\nSo, in this step-by-step tutorial, I’ll show you 3 different ways to access and edit your WordPress files.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\nContents<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n- Important Notes<\/a><\/li>
- How to Access and Edit Theme Files via Dashboard<\/a><\/li>
- How to Access and Edit WordPress Files via cPanel<\/a><\/li>
- How to Access and Edit WordPress Files via FTP<\/a><\/li><\/ol>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
Important Notes<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
In order not to repeat this in every section, I’ll just mention it once here.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Having a child theme<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
When you edit a WordPress theme’s files, you should do it in a child theme<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\nIf you’re making the changes directly into the parent theme, they’ll be gone with the next update, and you’ll need to add them again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Most premium WordPress themes provide a pre-made child theme when you download the files. If it’s not there, ask the developers for one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Backing up the files or entire site<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
If you don’t have any experience with file editing in WordPress, it’s better to perform a backup<\/a> before making any changes that might break your site.<\/p>\n\n\n\nI’ll also show you how to back up your files individually, where possible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Editing plugin files<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Unlike WordPress themes, plugins don’t have a “child plugin” feature, so any changes that you make will go away with the next update.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As a general rule, I recommend never touching a WordPress plugin’s core code unless you really know what you’re doing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Editing WordPress Core files<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Except for the wp-config.php<\/code> and .htaccess<\/code> files, you shouldn’t edit any other core files because the changes will be gone when WordPress updates.<\/p>\n\n\n\nThose two files won’t get replaced on updates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If the changes don’t take effect<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
If the code is correct and added properly, but the changes still don’t appear when you refresh your page\/site, then clear any WordPress cache<\/a> that you might have from your browser, plugin, server, and\/or CDN.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\nLooking to Buy or Sell WordPress Sites?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
At ReadyShip, we offer an all-in-one WordPress solution for those looking to start a blog or site, as well as the opportunity for WordPress developers or professionals to sell their products!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\nBrowse Sites<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\nStart Selling<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n1. How to Access and Edit Theme Files via Dashboard<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
I don’t recommend using this method unless you have access to FTP or cPanel to undo whatever might break, which could prevent you from accessing your website.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I only mentioned theme files because you can’t access the WordPress core files here. For that, check the other two methods.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Step 1<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
This feature might be disabled by some security plugins or code snippets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Log in to WordPress and access Appearance<\/strong> > Theme Editor<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"accessing](\"https:\/\/readyship.co\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/appearance-theme-editor.png\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nStep 2<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
By default, the WordPress theme that’s currently active is selected. If you want to access another theme, select it from the drop-down menu and click on Select<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"select](\"https:\/\/readyship.co\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/select-theme-edit-wordpress.png\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nStep 3<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
From the right, select the WordPress theme file that you want to edit. Make the changes and click on the Update File<\/strong> button.<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"edit](\"https:\/\/readyship.co\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/edit-theme-file-wordpress-editor.png\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n2. How to Access and Edit WordPress Files via cPanel<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
If you’re on a Shared WordPress hosting, you most likely have cPanel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
cPanel is your server’s control panel where you can perform a lot of different actions, including accessing and editing all of your WordPress files.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Depending on your host, cPanel might be a bit different due to the version used or changes that the hosting company might have made to it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Step 1<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Go to cPanel – usually by adding \/cpanel<\/code> after your domain name (e.g. example.com\/cpanel<\/code>) – log in using the credentials offered by your hosting, then access the File Manager<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"file](\"https:\/\/readyship.co\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/file-manager-cpanel.png\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nStep 2<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Your WordPress core files, along with the theme and plugin files, are usually found in the public_html<\/code> folder.<\/p>\n\n\n\nIf you’re using an add-on domain, not the main one, then the WordPress files will probably be found in a folder that has your domain name (example.com<\/code>) instead of public_html<\/code>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"wordpress](\"https:\/\/readyship.co\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/public-html-wordpress-cpanel.png\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nStep 3<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Before editing a file, download it on your drive as a backup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Right-click on it and select Download<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"wordpress](\"https:\/\/readyship.co\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/download-functions-php-wordpress-cpanel.png\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nYou also have a Download<\/strong> button up, in the toolbar.<\/p>\n\n\n\nIf something goes wrong, you can upload the original WordPress file you saved on your drive, by clicking the Upload<\/strong> button at the top, and it will override the edited file.<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"upload](\"https:\/\/readyship.co\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/upload-file-cpanel.png\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nStep 4<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Now that you have a file backup, you can proceed without sweating. \ud83d\ude42<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So, choose the WordPress file that you want to edit, right-click on it, and select Edit<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"edit](\"https:\/\/readyship.co\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/edit-functions-php-file-manager-cpanel.png\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nYou can also choose View<\/strong> if you only want to look for something without being afraid of editing it by accident.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\nA pop-up will appear, showing you what file you’re about to edit and mentioning that you should back up the files first, which I mentioned as well at step 3.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Click the Edit<\/strong> button to proceed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"edit](\"https:\/\/readyship.co\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/edit-popup-file-manager-cpanel.png\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nStep 5<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
A file editor will appear where you can add, remove, or edit the code snippet that you want.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
After you’re done, click on the Save Changes<\/strong> button.<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"edit](\"https:\/\/readyship.co\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/edit-functions-php-cpanel-editor.png\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n3. How to Access and Edit WordPress Files via FTP<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
When you’re using Managed hosts that are more performant and optimized, such as the one used on ReadyShip<\/a> for its WordPress customers, you won’t have cPanel because it eats up server resources and affects its performance.<\/p>\n\n\n\nSo, in order to access and edit your WordPress files, you’ll need to do it via FTP (File Transfer Protocol)<\/a>, using an FTP client.<\/p>\n\n\n\nStep 1<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Download and install FileZilla<\/a>, the FTP client I recommend, on your computer.<\/p>\n\n\n\nIt offers installation files for both Windows and macOS.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Step 2<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
After you’ve installed it, open it up. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
At the top, you’ll have a Quickconnect<\/strong> feature that will allow you to quickly connect to your server’s FTP.<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"filezilla](\"https:\/\/readyship.co\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/connect-filezilla.png\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nThe login info that you need to add have to be provided by your host:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- Host<\/strong> – Usually, it’s
ftp.example.com<\/code> or sftp:\/\/example.com<\/code> if using SFTP<\/a> instead of FTP. You’ll have to replace example.com<\/code> with your own domain.<\/li>- Username<\/strong> and Password<\/strong> are self-explanatory.<\/li>
- Port<\/strong> – Leave it blank for the 21 default port unless your host requires something else.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Alternatively, you can add the site to the Site Manager<\/strong> by going to File<\/strong> > Site Manager<\/strong>. That way, you don’t have to add the login info every time in Quickconnect.<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"site](\"https:\/\/readyship.co\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/site-manager-filezilla.png\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n- Click on New Site<\/strong>;<\/li>
- Add a name for the site;<\/li>
- Choose FTP<\/strong> or SFTP<\/strong> as the Protocol<\/strong>;<\/li>
- Add the Host<\/strong> and Port<\/strong> as discussed above;<\/li>
- Add the User<\/strong> and Password<\/strong>;<\/li>
- Click on Connect<\/strong>.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Leave everything as is unless instructed otherwise by the hosting company.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Step 3<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
After you’ve connected to the FTP, your WordPress files will appear on the right, under Remote site:<\/strong>. Underneath, in the Filename<\/strong> section, the subfolders and files will appear.<\/p>\n\n\n\nOn the left, the local files from your drive will appear.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"access](\"https:\/\/readyship.co\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/access-wordpress-files-ftp-filezilla.png\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nOn Managed hosts, there’s a chance that your WordPress files won’t be found in the public_html<\/code> folder.<\/p>\n\n\n\nYou can see from my screenshot that one of the ready-made WordPress sites<\/a> that I have on ReadyShip’s marketplace<\/a>, has its files in a folder called wordpress<\/code>.<\/p>\n\n\n\nStep 4<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Before editing anything, back up your file by right-clicking on it and selecting Download<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"download](\"https:\/\/readyship.co\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/download-filezilla-file.png\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nNow, if things go south, you can upload the original WordPress file, replacing the edited one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
To do that, search for your saved file under Local site:<\/strong>, then click, hold, and drag it to the folder on the right, where your WordPress file is.<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"upload](\"https:\/\/readyship.co\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/upload-file-filezilla.png\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nStep 5<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Now that you can safely edit the WordPress file, right-click on it and select View\/Edit<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"edit](\"https:\/\/readyship.co\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/view-edit-wordpress-file-filezilla.png\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nIn Windows, by default, the file will be opened with Notepad. I assume it opens with TextEdit in macOS.<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"edit](\"https:\/\/readyship.co\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/functions-php-pop-up-filezilla-1.png\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nOnce you’re done editing the WordPress file, click on File<\/strong> > Save<\/strong> to save it.<\/p>\n\n\n\nA confirmation pop-up will appear to let you know what file you’ve just edited. Click Yes<\/strong> if everything is correct.<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"filezilla](\"https:\/\/readyship.co\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/filezilla-editing-popup.png\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nStep 6<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Check your Status<\/strong> above.<\/p>\n\n\n\nIf everything worked fine, a success status will appear:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
File transfer successful, transferred 551 bytes in 1 second<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\n![\"filezilla](\"https:\/\/readyship.co\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/filezilla-success-transfer.png\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n\nLooking to Buy or Sell WordPress Sites?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
At ReadyShip, we offer an all-in-one WordPress solution for those looking to start a blog or site, as well as the opportunity for WordPress developers or professionals to sell their products!<\/p>\n\n\n\n