This article explains what WordPress child themes are and how to create one to protect your customisations.
What is a Child Theme?
A child theme is a separate theme that inherits all the features of your main theme (called the parent theme). When you make customisations to your website's appearance, you make them in the child theme instead of the parent theme.
The main benefit is that when your parent theme gets updated, all your customisations stay safe. Without a child theme, any changes you make to colours, fonts, or layout will disappear when the theme updates.
When You Need a Child Theme
You need a child theme if you plan to:
- Change your theme's CSS code
- Modify template files
- Add custom functions to your theme
- Make any changes beyond what's available in the WordPress Customizer
If you only use the built-in customisation options in customising colours and fonts, you don't need a child theme.
How to Create a Child Theme
Step 1: Access Your WordPress Dashboard
Log into your WordPress admin dashboard on your Web60 site.
Step 2: Install a Child Theme Plugin
Go to Plugins > Add New and search for "Child Theme Configurator". Install and activate this plugin. It's the easiest way to create a child theme without technical knowledge.
Step 3: Configure Your Child Theme
- Go to Tools > Child Themes in your WordPress dashboard
- Select your current theme from the dropdown menu
- Click Analyze to check if your theme is suitable
- Click Create New Child Theme
- Give your child theme a name (like "My Business Theme Child")
- Click Create New Child Theme
The plugin will create all the necessary files for you.
Step 4: Activate Your Child Theme
Go to Appearance > Themes and you'll see your new child theme listed. Click Activate to start using it.
Your website will look exactly the same, but now you're using the child theme.
Making Changes to Your Child Theme
Once your child theme is active, you can safely make customisations:
- Go to Appearance > Theme Editor
- Make sure your child theme is selected
- Edit the style.css file to add custom CSS
- Click Update File to save your changes
Always make changes in the child theme, never in the parent theme.
What Happens During Updates
When your parent theme updates, WordPress will:
- Update the parent theme files
- Keep all your child theme customisations intact
- Continue displaying your website with your custom changes
This is why child themes are essential for any customised website.
If you're still stuck with creating or using child themes, contact Web60 support for help with your specific situation.
FAQ
Q: Will creating a child theme break my website?
A: No, creating a child theme won't break your website. Your site will look and work exactly the same after activating a child theme.
Q: Do I lose my customisations if I don't use a child theme?
A: Yes, any direct changes to your theme files will be lost when the theme updates. This is why child themes are important.
Q: Can I create a child theme after I've already customised my theme?
A: You can create a child theme at any time, but you'll need to re-apply any customisations you made to the parent theme.
Q: Do child themes slow down my website?
A: No, child themes don't affect your website's speed. They use the same resources as regular themes.
Q: Can I switch back to the parent theme if needed?
A: Yes, you can switch back to the parent theme anytime through Appearance > Themes, but you'll lose any child theme customisations.
Q: What happens if I delete the parent theme?
A: Never delete the parent theme while using a child theme. The child theme needs the parent theme to work properly.
Q: Do I need coding knowledge to use child themes?
A: Basic CSS knowledge is helpful for customisations, but you can create a child theme without any coding using plugins like Child Theme Configurator.
Last updated: 1 March 2026