I have a BIG problem.
I would like you read the whole text carefully, it is important.
I started my journey on wordpress a few months ago.
I installed the theme, some plugins, and I began to customize the css of the website without knowing that I would first have to create a child theme.
A few days ago a man told me that, with the first update of the theme, I will lost all my changes without a child theme.
So I looked for a guide to update the theme (it was recently released a new version) without losing the changes.
I installed a plugin to make the backup.
I made the backup, and following the same guide on the internet, I tried to install the new theme, without success.
Wanting to go back then I took my backup of the theme and installed it: what happened? The site crashed due to the td composer plugin, integrated into my theme (probably something went wrong in creating the backup).
After restoring the site thanks to the assistance of siteground, the majority of the categories and widgets disappeared; moreover, as if this were not enough, the td composer plugin (the pillar of my website), after being reinstalled, now is flickering when i try tu use it.
Now I’ve recreated the missing categories and widgets, but the fact remains that I absolutely have to learn how to update the theme without crashing the site or losing the changes.
So what would I like to do with your support? I would like to create a correct backup of the site and proceed to update the theme without losing even a personalization (and of course resolve the crashing and the flickering of td composer).
Hi,
Indeed, making any modification directly in the theme files will not be a long term solution. If possible a child theme should be used for that. There is a child theme provided in the theme package, this is a guide
– https://forum.tagdiv.com/the-child-theme-support-tutorial/
Not all theme files can be customized with it, the files that can be are mentioned in the guide. If it is required to modify a theme file that cannot be modified with a child theme, make the modification and back-up the respective file. After making an update replace the new file with the one you backed-up.
Be sure to check the theme changelog after an update
– https://forum.tagdiv.com/how-to-update-the-theme-2/
There will be a list of modified files. So for example if you modify a file (child theme or not) this modification might have to be made again, taking into consideration the modifications made to the original file after the update.
Custom CSS code (and other code) can also be entered in the theme panel custom code sections. Code entered in these sections will not be lost after a theme update, it is saved in the database of the website.
There is also a Live CSS feature that you can use for various CSS customization
– https://www.screencast.com/t/jX35QFGtPuO
– https://forum.tagdiv.com/create-custom-code-using-the-browsers-inspector/
In terms of backup you could use a server provide option if available, using plugins etc
– https://codex.wordpress.org/WordPress_Backups
There are also many online guides and tutorials
– http://www.wpbeginner.com/plugins/how-to-create-a-complete-wordpress-backup-for-free-with-backwpup/
Let us know if you have more questions, we will try our best to help you.
Thanks
