"I want my WordPress site to look exactly like the
HTML site I coded — as the main site — but still
keep WordPress working in the background, so I
can use plugins, blog, etc."
✅ My Goal in Simple Words:
Use the design and layout from your full HTML code.
Keep WordPress running behind the scenes.
Install plugins, manage content from WordPress dashboard.
Site shows at https://yourdomain.com (not in a folder).
Everything looks like your HTML, but powered by WordPress.
🔧 The Solution: Convert your HTML site
into a WordPress theme
This means wrapping your HTML site structure into WordPress's PHP theme
structure.
🧰 Step-by-Step Overview (Basic Version)
You need to create a custom WordPress theme using
your HTML files.
✅ 1. Prepare your HTML site files
Make sure your HTML is clean and structured — usually you have:
index.html
style.css
/css, /js, /images, etc.
✅ 2. Set up a new WordPress theme
In your WordPress hosting:
Go to wp-content/themes/
Create a new folder, e.g., mycustomtheme
Inside that folder, you need these basic files:
style.css
index.php
functions.php
header.php
footer.php
✅ 3. Start converting your HTML to theme files
You take your index.html and split it:
Goes
Part
into
Everything before <body> or header header.ph
section p
Main content area index.php
footer.ph
Footer area (scripts, etc.)
p
Add WordPress template tags:
For example, replace hard-coded titles and menus with:
<title><?php bloginfo('name'); ?></title>
<?php wp_head(); ?>
In footer.php, add:
<?php wp_footer(); ?>
✅ 4. Activate your theme
Go to Appearance > Themes
You’ll see My Custom Theme
Activate it — now your WordPress site uses your HTML design!
✅ BONUS: Still Use Plugins & Pages
After this setup:
You can install plugins as usual
You can enable menus, blog posts, etc.
You can edit content in WordPress while keeping your original design
💡 Easier Alternative: Use a Page Builder
If this sounds too technical, you can also recreate your HTML layout using a
WordPress page builder like:
Tool What It Does
Drag-and-drop builder, lets you visually
Elementor
rebuild your HTML design in WordPress
Bricks Builder /
More powerful but for advanced users
Breakdance / Divi
✅ Final Summary
You want What to do
Keep WordPress and use your full Convert your HTML into a
HTML design as your site custom WordPress theme
Yes, totally possible with a
Still use plugins, blog, dashboard
theme
Rebuild your design using
Don't want to code PHP?
Elementor (drag-and-drop)
Would you like me to:
Create a starter theme for you based on your HTML files?
Show you a video tutorial or give you sample code?
Guide you with Elementor or another tool?
Let me know your preference, and I’ll help step-by-step!