Frequently Asked Questions

General WordPress Questions

What is WordPress?

WordPress is web software for creating blogs and websites. WordPress started out as a blogging platform, but has evolved into a Content Management System (CMS). Whether you want to set up a one page blog or a full blown commercial website, WordPress can handle your needs. For more information about WordPress, head straight to the source: http://wordpress.org

How does WordPress work, and what are themes?

WordPress is a Content Management System (CMS) that operates solely in the browser. You can very easily install WordPress on your web host; in fact, most web hosts provide an easy option to auto install WordPress for you. Easy peasy. Once installed, you simply create new posts and pages to load your website full of content.

WordPress comes packaged with a standard theme that styles the look of your website. It’s nice, but a little plain jane if you ask us. That’s where we come in. We offer unique themes that provide a different style or look to the site. Some of our themes provide additional functionality so that your WordPress site can serve as a Portfolio or Commercial Website.

How do I install my new ThemeZilla theme?

When you are ready to install a theme, you must first upload the theme files and then activate the theme itself. The theme files can be uploaded in one of two ways:

• FTP Upload: Using your FTP program, upload the non-zipped theme folder into the /wpcontent/themes/ folder on your server.
• WordPress Upload: Navigate to Appearance > Add New Themes > Upload. Go to browse, and select the zipped theme folder*. Hit “Install Now” and the theme will be uploaded and installed.

Once the theme is uploaded, you need to activate it. Go to Appearance > Themes and activate your chosen theme.

* Please note that the download package contains the zipped theme folder. You will need to unzip the download package to have access to the zipped theme files.

Account and Pre-purchase Questions

How can I purchase a ThemeZilla theme?

We are not a stand alone theme shop. Instead, we sell through ThemeForest, so any purchases will be made at http://themeforest.net. Just browse our site until you find the theme that completes you, and then click the “Buy” button. You’ll be directed to ThemeForest where you can then purchase the theme. If you see a “Get It” download button, you’ve found one of our free themes. Grab it and enjoy. It might be free, but it’s still a heck of a good theme packed with loads of awesomeness. We’re nice like that.

Can I use ThemeZilla themes on a WordPress.com account?

Unfortunately, ThemeZilla themes can only be hosted on self-hosted sites, and are not available for use on a WordPress.com free hosted account.

Can I test drive a ThemeZilla theme prior to purchase?

‘Fraid not. We do our best to showcase the themes as we’d see them being used in the wild. We simply can’t open the admin side up for anyone to monkey around with, so you’ll have to fully browse the demo site to determine whether you’d like to purchase the theme or not.

If I’m not satisfied with my purchase, can I get a refund?

We want you to be fully satisfied with your purchase, so we do our best to offer the best possible products that we can. If you aren’t 100% satisfied with your purchase, you’ll need to contact ThemeForest to receive a refund on your purchase.

How long does support last?

Support on all ThemeZilla themes is for the lifetime of the theme, which is pretty much forever.

Can I install my ThemeZilla theme on multiple sites?

Each theme purchase is good for one installation of the theme. For more complete information on Regular Licenses at ThemeForest, please visit their licensing page.

Do ThemeZilla themes work with the latest version of WordPress?

Of course. We program our themes to be compatible with WordPress present and WordPress future. We review all themes to ensure they work with any and all WordPress updates. Also, each theme page lists the minimum WordPress version required for the theme to work properly. So really, our themes are compatible with WordPress past too. WordPress past, present, and future? Gnarly.

With which browsers are ThemeZilla Themes compatible?

We test and support all of our themes in all major browsers. That means our themes will work in Internet Explorer 7, 8, and 9, Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Opera. Sorry IE6 lovers, but it’s time to update.

I’m thinking of customizing the theme myself. Will I be able to get help in the support forum?

Going it alone, eh? Best of luck. We can offer support for minor changes (maybe a couple of lines of CSS edits). Otherwise, we suggest working with WerkPress. They do bang up work and are the only ThemeZilla approved modifier of our themes. You can contact them via this super snazzy contact form.

Still thinking of going it alone? Check out some information on making modifications via a child theme.

ThemeZilla Theme Questions

How do I update my theme?

If your theme is out of date, you will see a notice on your WordPress admin screen. Yeah, we’re nice like that. Click the notice get the lowdown on the update as well as instructions on how to update.

Want more specific instructions? Sure, head to your ThemeForest downloads page, and grab a fresh copy of the files. Upload the updated/new files similar to a new install via FTP and you’re done. Fresh theme files. Sweet.

Do you include the PSD in your file downloads?

Of course. Not including the PSD is just lame, and we certainly aren’t lame. All themes include a copy of the PSD used in the creation of the theme. In fact, if we use a sprite in the theme, you’ll get the sprite PSD file too! Easy changes for you.

PSD? What the heck is that?

A PSD (a file with .psd extension) is a Photoshop Document file. We use Photoshop to design our themes. We include the file that you can dig in and customize different elements of the theme should you choose to do so. If you are satisfied with the default theme, you won’t need worry with the PSD file.

How do I get support for my purchase?

Once you have made your first purchase you are ready to set up your support account here on ThemeZilla. Click the “Create an Account” link at the top of this page. You will then need to enter your ThemeForest Item Purchase Code and click to verify. Once verified, you’ll enter just a bit of information (e.g., email address), and then be on your way in the forums.

For more information on acquiring your ThemeForest Item Purchase Code, please click for more instructions.

How do I get a copy of the demo data

The demo data for our themes are available within the Support Forum. You can gain access to the Support Forums once you’ve made your first purchase. For more information on creating your Support Account, scroll up a bit.

Can I remove the ThemeZilla copyright from the footer?

Absolutely. We’d appreciate it if you kept it there, but hey it’s your site. Feel free to change it as you see fit.

Can I easily translate a ThemeZilla theme?

All of our themes are localized and include default .po and .mo files. These are the files that you can use to quite easily translate a theme using a little program called Poedit. You can also use many of the lovely translation plugins out there to help you in the translation process.

Can I use a ThemeZilla theme for a client’s site?

Certainly. In fact, we encourage you to do so, and then come back for another theme for another client. Just remember, one license means one use. So if you want to use the same theme for multiple clients, you’ll need to purchase multiple copies of the theme.

Do you offer customization/design services?

We do not offer customization or design services. We have partnered with WerkPress, and they handle the modification of all ThemeZilla themes. You can contact them via this handy dandy contact form.

Do ThemeZilla themes work with child themes?

Ah, child themes. We like to see that. It means you can customize your site and update the parent theme down the road without pause for concern. Our themes are 100% child theme friendly.

But you might ask, “What is a child theme?” Basically, a child theme is a single style.css file in a folder with the child theme name. To customize, just make your modifications to the child theme to fit your needs. Don’t like layout of the single blog post? Create a new single.php in your child theme with the layout you like, modify your style.css file and BOOM. You’ve got the layout you want. If we update the theme and modify the single.php file, you can update the parent theme AND your modifications are preserved. I believe that is called having your cake and eating it too. I thought you couldn’t do that…

How do I create a child theme?

Creating a child theme is almost too simple. We’ll use Volumes as an example. First, create a folder (e.g., volumes-child). Next create a new file called style.css in your newly created folder. In this file, you should enter some information to identify it as a child theme:

/*
Theme Name: Volumes Child
Description: Child theme for the Volumes theme
Author: Your name here
Template: volumes
*/
@import url("../volumes/style.css");


And Bob’s your uncle. You’ve got yourself a child theme. We’re importing all the CSS from the parent theme, so simply add the CSS modifying the theme below the import call. Want to replace the functionality of a function in the functions.php file? Don’t modify the functions.php file in the parent. Create a new functions.php file in your child theme, adding and modifying the function you want to alter. This function will be used instead of the default function that exists in the parent theme.

For more information on working with Child Themes, please read up at http://wordpress.org.

ThemeZilla Plugin Questions

Does ThemeZilla offer support for plugins?

We do offer support on all of our Zilla branded plugins for users that have purchased a theme. We think it’s pretty awesome that we make our plugins free for all to enjoy. If you bought a theme, we think you’re pretty awesome. So we’ll combine all this awesome into some awesome ThemeZilla plugin support. Want plugin support, but haven’t bought a theme? Come on. Be awesome and buy a theme. ☺

We do not support 3rd party plugins. There are simply too many out there for us to support them all. We do our best to ensure that our themes will be compatible with the big dog plugins (using All in one SEO pack? Our framework SEO turns itself off), but we do not offer support for those plugins. Of course, our ThemeZilla Plugins are guaranteed to work with all ThemeZilla Themes. If you hit a snag, pop a question in the support forum.

General ThemeZilla Questions

Is Gilbert really a robot?

We’re not entirely sure one way or the other, and are a bit too afraid to ask. Sometimes it’s best not to know.