How to Create a Custom WordPress Theme Without Code in 2024 

Do you want to create a custom WordPress theme to refresh your website design? Previously, building a WordPress theme was difficult and expensive, requiring code or hiring a developer.

Now, there are plugins that make it easy to create a custom WordPress theme from scratch without any coding experience. You can simply drag and drop elements to design the perfect look for your website.

In this guide, I’ll show you how I created my own custom WordPress theme without touching a single line of code.

How to Create a Custom WordPress Theme:

Why I Needed a Custom WordPress Theme

I needed a website to showcase my services, but I wanted it to be more than a generic portfolio website. I wanted something that reflected me—my style, my personality, and my work.

Looking at pre-made WordPress themes left me feeling uninspired. They were either too busy, too corporate, or just not quite “me.” Plus, I had a specific vision for how I wanted to present my services, and those cookie-cutter layouts weren’t cutting it.

I knew a custom theme would give me the design freedom to create exactly what I wanted: dedicated sections for my work, a layout that highlighted my unique approach, and an overall look and feel that screamed, “This is ME!”

The only problem? Coding. 🤯

I had zero coding experience, and the thought of diving into the technical side of WordPress filled me with dread. Hiring a developer seemed like the only option, but it wasn’t exactly budget-friendly. I was starting to feel stuck…

…until I learned about SeedProd.

SeedProd is a WordPress plugin that lets you build custom themes visually, without writing any code. It’s like having a drag-and-drop website builder but with the power and flexibility of a custom theme.

I could choose from pre-designed templates and then easily customize everything — colors, fonts, layouts, you name it. SeedProd seemed like the perfect solution, and I was excited to give it a try.

Prepping for My Code-Free Theme Design

Before diving headfirst into SeedProd, I wanted to make sure I had a safety net. I already had an existing website with content I wanted to keep, so I made a backup of my WordPress site, just in case.

To avoid any mishaps on my live site, I also decided to create a staging site. This gave me a separate, private environment to experiment with SeedProd and build out my theme without affecting my live website.

Important Note: If you don’t already have one, you’ll need to create a website before using SeedProd. Here’s a guide on how to create a WordPress website for beginners to get you started.

How I Built My Custom WordPress Theme

Remember how I said I didn’t know how to code? Well, that wasn’t a problem at all. SeedProd made it incredibly easy to build a custom theme, step by visual step. Here’s how I did it.

Step 1. Install SeedProd and Choose a Template

First, I purchased the SeedProd Pro plan. It had all the features I needed (including the theme builder) at an affordable price.

Once I had my license key, I went to my staging site to install the plugin. Installing SeedProd was as simple as uploading the plugin file and clicking “Activate.” Even I could handle that.

With the plugin active, I found the SeedProd menu in my WordPress dashboard and clicked on “Theme Builder.” Then, I clicked the “Theme Template Kits” button to choose my starting point.

SeedProd has so many professionally designed theme templates that I have to admit; I was a little spoiled for choice.

I finally settled on the Elite Consulting Business Theme. Its clean, modern look perfectly matched the vibe I was going for.

To import it, I hovered my mouse cursor over the theme kit and clicked the checkmark icon.

Click here to preview the template I chose for this design so you can compare it to the customized version.

After choosing a kit, I could see all the individual templates that make up my complete WordPress theme. This included a homepage, header, footer, blog page, and sidebar for instance.

It also had custom templates for distinct theme sections, such as an awards section, a services page, a pricing table, and more.

Now, I wasn’t going to need all of these for my site. So, I focused on what I needed and deleted the templates I didn’t want by clicking “Trash.”

If you’re not comfortable with this, you can always turn off the “Published” toggle so that the template doesn’t appear on your website.

Step 2. Customize the WordPress Header and Footer

With my theme’s basic building blocks in place, I could start editing each theme section. I began with the header and footer sections.

To edit any theme section, you just need to hover over it and click the Edit Design link.

When you edit a theme section in SeedProd, you’ll go to its visual drag-and-drop builder. On this screen, you can customize your theme’s header by simply pointing and clicking.

The original header template had a three-column layout, which was a bit too busy for my taste. No problem! I simply deleted it and dragged in a two-column layout block from the left-hand panel.

Adding my logo was a breeze with the Image block – I just selected it from my media library and used the point-and-click controls to adjust its size and placement.

For the navigation menu, I used SeedProd’s handy Nav Menu block and chose the “Simple Menu” setting. This allowed me to easily create the exact menu structure I had in mind.

Once I was happy with my header, I saved the changes, headed back to the theme builder, and opened the Footer template to customize the footer section.

The original footer had a bit more information than I needed, so I simplified it by deleting unnecessary blocks.

I kept the company info and social media menu items but centered them for a more balanced look. Then, I just swapped out the placeholder content with my own.

With my header and footer looking sleek and stylish, it was time to tackle the heart of my website: the homepage.

Step 3. Create a Custom WordPress Home Page

My main goals when customizing the homepage were to create a strong first impression, clearly showcase my expertise, and provide potential clients with compelling reasons to choose me.

I liked the overall layout of the Elite Consulting Business theme’s homepage, but I wanted to simplify it further and add my personal touch.

I kept the hero section at the top, as it’s a great way to make a bold statement. I simply swapped out the default image for one that better reflected my brand and updated the heading and description.

I also tweaked the CTA button styling – clicking on the block’s advanced settings gave me access to a color picker, where I chose a new background color and rounded the button’s corners for a softer look.

Beneath the hero section, I added a five-column section using Image blocks to showcase the logos of brands I’ve worked with. It’s a subtle but effective way to build credibility and demonstrate my experience.

The original design included Counter blocks, which I loved, so I kept them but updated the statistics to reflect my own achievements and milestones.

Next, I wanted to add social proof, so I created a new section using SeedProd’s Testimonial block. This block allowed me to create an eye-catching carousel slider displaying client testimonials, complete with their headshots.

Finally, to highlight my writing skills, I built another new section with multiple columns. Each column contained an Image block (displaying a thumbnail of a published article) and a Heading block linked to the full article on external websites.

With a few clicks and drags, my homepage was starting to look exactly how wanted it.

Step 4. Create Blog Page & Single Post Templates

Okay, so I didn’t actually need this step because I wasn’t planning on having a blog on my website. But I know many of you will want to share your thoughts and expertise with the world, so here’s a quick rundown of how SeedProd makes it easy to create stunning blog pages and single post templates.

Blog Page Template

Your blog page template can be found in the theme templates list under “Blog Index, Archives, Search” or, in my case, “Blog Page.” Like the previous templates, you can customize it by clicking the “Edit Design” link.

Here, you can customize how your blog posts are displayed – you can choose to show featured images, excerpts, author information, and more.

You can also add elements like a search bar, social media sharing buttons, or even a call to action to encourage visitors to explore further.

Single Post Template

Just like the blog page, you can edit and customize the single blog post template.

For a consistent look, SeedProd lets you style the display of elements like the post title, featured image, meta description, and even the author bio.

You can make your blog look super professional without breaking a sweat.

Step 5. Create an About Page

After the homepage, the About page is arguably the most important part of any personal website. It’s where potential clients and collaborators get to know the person behind the services. I wanted mine to feel authentic and engaging and give a clear picture of who I am and what I offer.

The Elite Consulting Business theme already included a basic “About” page template, which I could access by going to Pages » All Pages in my WordPress dashboard and clicking “Edit with SeedProd.”

I decided to keep the first two sections of the original design, which focused on my work experience and the services I provide. I just swapped out the placeholder content and images for my own.

Next, I wanted to showcase my certifications to build credibility. This is where SeedProd’s Template Parts came in handy.

Think of template parts as pre-made sections that you can insert and reuse across different pages of your website – a huge time-saver. The theme came with a template part called “Awards and Recognition.”

I simply edited this template to include my certifications, then easily inserted it into my “About” page.

To wrap it up, I created a final section with a more personal touch. I shared some of my hobbies, where I live, and other tidbits that would help visitors connect with me on a more personal level.

Step 6. Set Up A Contact Page

The last thing I wanted was a cluttered and confusing contact page. While the Elite Consulting Business theme came with a pre-built contact page, it felt a bit overwhelming.

I decided to simplify things drastically. I deleted most of the default content and replaced it with SeedProd’s Contact Form block. This block makes it super easy to integrate with WPForms, one of the most popular WordPress form builder plugins.

Quick note: WPForms doesn’t come bundled with SeedProd, but you can download the free version of WPForms from the WordPress plugin directory – it has everything you need for a basic contact form.

With WPForms installed, I was able to create a contact form directly within SeedProd – no need to fiddle with complicated settings or shortcodes.

I did notice that the form’s styling looked a bit off in the page builder preview. However, once I published the page, the form magically snapped into place, looking perfectly uniform and professional.

Step 7. Adjust Global Theme Settings

My website was really starting to come together. Now, it was time to add those final touches that would make it look super polished and professional. Enter SeedProd’s global settings.

The Global CSS template is in the theme templates list—just click “Edit Design” to open it. This is your command center for controlling the overall look and feel of your website.

Colors

First, I wanted to ensure color consistency across every page. SeedProd makes this easy by letting you define global colors for everything from headers and text to buttons, links, and backgrounds.

Fonts & Typography

While I liked the default font of the Elite Consulting Business theme, I wanted to tweak the font weights and colors for headings and links to better match my brand aesthetic.

Background

To keep things consistent, I changed the overall page background color. SeedProd even lets you add a background image here if you want to get fancy.

Buttons

Buttons are crucial for calls to action, so I wanted to make sure they stood out. I played around with different font styles, colors, and border radiuses until I found a look that felt right.

Custom CSS

SeedProd even gives you the option to add your own Custom CSS. This is where things get a tiny bit technical, but it gives you even more control over your design.

For example, I used a snippet of custom CSS to make the WPForms form submit button match the styling of my other buttons.

Step 8. Publish the Custom WordPress Theme

After putting so much care into designing my custom WordPress theme, I wasn’t going to skip the final checks. I used the built-in preview feature to double-check how everything looked on different screen sizes – from desktops to tablets to smartphones.

I wanted to make sure my website looked fantastic, no matter how people were viewing it.

Of course, I also tested all my interactive elements. I submitted a test message through my contact form (and did a little victory dance when it landed in my inbox! 🎉)

I clicked every button and menu link just to be sure they led to the right places.

Finally, the moment of truth arrived. I headed back to the SeedProd Theme Builder, took a deep breath, and found the “Enable SeedProd Theme” toggle in the top-right corner. With one satisfying click, I switched it to the “on” position.

My custom WordPress theme was LIVE! You can see the full custom theme here.

Mission Accomplished

Creating a custom WordPress theme used to feel daunting, especially without coding knowledge. But with the help of SeedProd, I was able to design and launch my new website exactly how I imagined it.

If you’re looking for a code-free way to build a unique and professional WordPress theme, I highly recommend giving SeedProd a try.

Bonus Tip: Understanding Child Themes

While SeedProd allows you to create a custom theme without coding, it’s worth understanding the concept of child themes in WordPress.

A child theme is a theme that inherits the functionality and styling of another theme, called the parent theme. Child themes are useful when you want to modify an existing theme but still receive updates for it.

When might you need a child theme?

1. If you’re customizing a pre-existing WordPress theme (not created with SeedProd)
2. When you want to make extensive code changes to a theme
3. If you plan to update your theme regularly but want to preserve your customizations

With SeedProd, you’re essentially building a custom theme from scratch, so child themes aren’t typically necessary. However, if you ever decide to switch to a traditional WordPress theme or need to make advanced customizations, understanding child themes can be valuable.

To learn more about child themes, check out the WordPress Codex guide on child themes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Create a Custom Theme for Any WordPress Website

If you want to make a specific type of website, you may like these WordPress theme tutorials:

• How to Build a Church Website in WordPress
• How to Design a Restaurant Website
• How to Set Up an Online Store in WordPress
• How to Create a Photography Website
• How to Create a Real Estate Website
• How to Create an Author Website in WordPress
• How to Make a Wedding Website

Thanks for reading! We’d love to hear your thoughts, so please feel free to leave a comment with any questions and feedback.

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Stacey Corrin Writer

Stacey has been writing about WordPress and digital marketing for over 10 years and on other topics for much longer. Alongside this, she's fascinated with web design, user experience, and SEO.

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