Some advice needed on changing wordpress theme

[TR123]

Hi

Could anyone give me some advice on changing a wordpress theme. I want to change to a three column template, do you need to disable plugins before changing theme? Also I am guessing I need to copy the code from my original sidebar to put in to new one, is that right?

Thanks

[Kevin]

no you dont need to disable plugins but you do need to make suer the code you placed in your themes for the plugins are copied over to the new theme

do you just want to create a 2nd sidebar?

if so its just a matter of creating another sidebar and linking to it from your templates. I would advise setting up a test area which you can mess around with so your main blog isnt affected. also, download some three column themes and have a look at the code :)

[TR123]

Hi Kevin

Yes I really just want a second sidebar I am finding I want to add things like competitions etc and theres just no room. I will set up a test site and give it a go.

Thanks for your help.

[StephenWelton.com]

Could you please go more into how to set up a test area? I find that I want to add more things to my blog as well and I am sure we will in the future as well. So a step by step best practice guide to making changes without messing up your original flawless blog would be helpful.

[Kevin]

best case scenario is to setup a test area on a different domain but if you cant do that then all you have to do is copy wordpress into a folder called test or testarea and upload it to your domain and then install it on a different database (call it test or testblog or whatever)

i use mine all the time to test things out and mess about with the design etc