[Support request] How do I change my current theme WITHOUT messing up my site information?

[Debbie]

I currently have GP Premium theme. I want to change it to Catalyst (Mike Oliver).

What I like about this theme I the three boxes and the four column. (Would it be easier to just add this to the current theme?)

I know how to install a new theme BUT I don’t want to mess up the current information on my site.

Can anyone tell me how to do this easily?

Do I need to back up my site to Bluehost then switch change themes?

Do I make a child theme ( I don’t know how) I have heard of this.

What I do not what to happen is someone come to my site and it’s a complete mess.

I hope a techie can understand this and give me some easy directions.

Thank you, Debi

[Tom]

Hi there,

No need to install that site just to get columns. It’s achieving the columns with this plugin: https://wordpress.org/plugins/lightweight-grid-columns/

Let me know if you need more info 🙂

[Debbie]

Hi Tom,

I downloaded the plugin.

I want to accomplish two things:

1. Insert a few the last blog post (example on http://www.Adventuredorks.com ) Under our stories they show blog post. THAT is what I want to do.

Another example is at https://www.gonewiththewynns.com. I want it to look like where is says THE LATEST SCOOP… These are also A COUPLE of the blog post.

2. The second thing I want to do is have boxes like at
https://www.gonewiththewynns.com
where is says Looking for inspiration. These BOXES are topics covered on the website.

Basically I think I just need to create the shortcode. Question is HOW/Where do I create a shortcode for a few blog post and Three boxes.

Thank you for your help.

[Tom]

1. To show a list of posts within columns, I suggest using this plugin: https://wordpress.org/plugins/wp-show-posts/

2. To show regular content within boxes, lightweight grid columns is the way to go. However, if you’re looking for them to look like those boxes exactly (zoom etc..), you’ll need some custom CSS along with a specific HTML structure.

[Author]

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