{"id":5621,"date":"2026-06-05T15:04:40","date_gmt":"2026-06-05T19:04:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.uvm.edu\/manual\/?p=5621"},"modified":"2026-06-05T15:04:40","modified_gmt":"2026-06-05T19:04:40","slug":"direct-migration-to-the-new-wordpress-theme-single-site","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.uvm.edu\/manual\/2026\/06\/05\/direct-migration-to-the-new-wordpress-theme-single-site\/","title":{"rendered":"Direct migration to the new WordPress theme (single site)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Migrating to the new UVM Catamount WordPress theme can be as fast as applying the new theme to your site. However, there are a few things you want to take a look at when migrating.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This guide walks you through the steps to successfully adopt the new theme on your existing WordPress website.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:32px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Watch the full video tutorial<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Susy to replace this video with a tutorial showing the simplified migration. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-embed-handler wp-block-embed-embed-handler wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Step-by-step guide: Migrating to the UVM Catamount WordPress theme\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/3RW5z04HV6k?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:32px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Overview: What to expect<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>During migration, you will:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Apply the Catamount theme<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Rebuild navigation and layouts that used Atomic Blocks<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:32px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-wide\" \/>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:32px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Step 1: Capture your existing navigation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Before starting, take a screenshot of your current navigation so you can rebuild it later.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>How:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Open your current site<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Click the menu button to expand navigation<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Take a screenshot<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Mac:<\/strong> <code>Command + Shift + 4<\/code><br \/><strong>Windows:<\/strong> <code>Print Screen<\/code><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"457\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.uvm.edu\/manual\/files\/2026\/06\/old-wp-classic-menu-1024x457.png\" alt=\"Classic menu navigation in the 2019 WordPress theme.\" class=\"wp-image-5568\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.uvm.edu\/manual\/files\/2026\/06\/old-wp-classic-menu-1024x457.png 1024w, https:\/\/blog.uvm.edu\/manual\/files\/2026\/06\/old-wp-classic-menu-300x134.png 300w, https:\/\/blog.uvm.edu\/manual\/files\/2026\/06\/old-wp-classic-menu-768x342.png 768w, https:\/\/blog.uvm.edu\/manual\/files\/2026\/06\/old-wp-classic-menu.png 1395w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>\ud83d\udca1 You\u2019ll use this as your reference when rebuilding navigation later.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:32px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-wide\" \/>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:32px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Step 2: Export your site content so you have a backup<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Next, export all content from your existing site.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Go to your <strong>Dashboard<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Navigate to <strong>Tools \u2192 Export<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Select <strong>All Content<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Click <strong>Download Export File<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"560\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.uvm.edu\/manual\/files\/2026\/06\/wp-tools-export-1024x560.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-5587\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.uvm.edu\/manual\/files\/2026\/06\/wp-tools-export-1024x560.png 1024w, https:\/\/blog.uvm.edu\/manual\/files\/2026\/06\/wp-tools-export-300x164.png 300w, https:\/\/blog.uvm.edu\/manual\/files\/2026\/06\/wp-tools-export-768x420.png 768w, https:\/\/blog.uvm.edu\/manual\/files\/2026\/06\/wp-tools-export.png 1094w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>\u2714\ufe0f This downloads an <strong>XML file<\/strong> to your computer. Just save it in case you inadvertently delete pages or posts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:32px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-wide\" \/>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:32px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-wide\" \/>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:32px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Step 3: Activate the Catamount theme<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Once the theme is available:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Go to <strong>Dashboard \u2192 Appearance \u2192 Themes<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Locate <strong>Catamount<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Click <strong>Activate<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-4-3 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Selecting the new UVM Catamount theme in WordPress\" width=\"640\" height=\"480\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/yc0mAyuV6uk?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:32px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-wide\" \/>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:32px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Step 4: Verify the new theme<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>After activation:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>View your site<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>You\u2019ll notice:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>New green header<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Updated typography<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>New footer design<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"190\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.uvm.edu\/manual\/files\/2026\/06\/wp-new-header-1024x190.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-5594\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.uvm.edu\/manual\/files\/2026\/06\/wp-new-header-1024x190.png 1024w, https:\/\/blog.uvm.edu\/manual\/files\/2026\/06\/wp-new-header-300x56.png 300w, https:\/\/blog.uvm.edu\/manual\/files\/2026\/06\/wp-new-header-768x143.png 768w, https:\/\/blog.uvm.edu\/manual\/files\/2026\/06\/wp-new-header-1536x285.png 1536w, https:\/\/blog.uvm.edu\/manual\/files\/2026\/06\/wp-new-header.png 1631w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>\u2714\ufe0f This confirms the new theme is active.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"272\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.uvm.edu\/manual\/files\/2026\/06\/wp-new-footer-1024x272.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-5595\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.uvm.edu\/manual\/files\/2026\/06\/wp-new-footer-1024x272.png 1024w, https:\/\/blog.uvm.edu\/manual\/files\/2026\/06\/wp-new-footer-300x80.png 300w, https:\/\/blog.uvm.edu\/manual\/files\/2026\/06\/wp-new-footer-768x204.png 768w, https:\/\/blog.uvm.edu\/manual\/files\/2026\/06\/wp-new-footer-1536x409.png 1536w, https:\/\/blog.uvm.edu\/manual\/files\/2026\/06\/wp-new-footer.png 1605w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:32px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-wide\" \/>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:32px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Step 5: Rebuild your navigation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Navigation will <strong>not carry over<\/strong> from the old site.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This is because:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Old system = Classic menus<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>New system = Block-based navigation<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>\ud83d\udc49 You must rebuild it manually.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-medium is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.uvm.edu\/manual\/files\/2026\/06\/qr-code-recreate-site-nav-YT-300x300.png\" alt=\"QR code for a tutorial about rebuilding the site navigation using WordPress blocks.\" class=\"wp-image-5590\" style=\"width:300px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.uvm.edu\/manual\/files\/2026\/06\/qr-code-recreate-site-nav-YT-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/blog.uvm.edu\/manual\/files\/2026\/06\/qr-code-recreate-site-nav-YT-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/blog.uvm.edu\/manual\/files\/2026\/06\/qr-code-recreate-site-nav-YT.png 500w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">QR code for a tutorial about rebuilding the site navigation using WordPress blocks.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>\ud83d\udccc Follow the dedicated navigation tutorial to complete this step.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:32px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-wide\" \/>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:32px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Step 6: Fix layouts (especially Atomic Blocks)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>If your site used:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Accordions<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Multi-column layouts<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Atomic Blocks (AB Blocks)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>\u26a0\ufe0f These are <strong>no longer supported<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You\u2019ll need to:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Rebuild layouts using modern blocks<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Adjust designs case-by-case<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.uvm.edu\/manual\/files\/2026\/06\/atomic-blocks-list-1024x576.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-5591\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.uvm.edu\/manual\/files\/2026\/06\/atomic-blocks-list-1024x576.png 1024w, https:\/\/blog.uvm.edu\/manual\/files\/2026\/06\/atomic-blocks-list-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/blog.uvm.edu\/manual\/files\/2026\/06\/atomic-blocks-list-768x432.png 768w, https:\/\/blog.uvm.edu\/manual\/files\/2026\/06\/atomic-blocks-list-1536x864.png 1536w, https:\/\/blog.uvm.edu\/manual\/files\/2026\/06\/atomic-blocks-list.png 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Atomic Blocks will need to be replaced by native WordPress Blocks. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>\ud83d\udca1 There\u2019s no one-size solution\u2014review each page individually.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:32px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-wide\" \/>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:32px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Step 7: Launch your new site<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>When everything looks correct:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Contact <strong>ETS<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Provide:\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Your old site URL<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Your new site URL<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p>They will:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Point your domain to the new site<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:32px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-wide\" \/>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:32px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Step 8: Enable search indexing<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>After launch:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Go to <strong>Settings \u2192 Reading<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Ensure <strong>Search engine visibility is enabled<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"736\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.uvm.edu\/manual\/files\/2026\/06\/wp-search-engines-1024x736.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-5593\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.uvm.edu\/manual\/files\/2026\/06\/wp-search-engines-1024x736.png 1024w, https:\/\/blog.uvm.edu\/manual\/files\/2026\/06\/wp-search-engines-300x216.png 300w, https:\/\/blog.uvm.edu\/manual\/files\/2026\/06\/wp-search-engines-768x552.png 768w, https:\/\/blog.uvm.edu\/manual\/files\/2026\/06\/wp-search-engines.png 1095w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Make sure the checkbox &#8220;Discourage search engines from indexing this site&#8221; next to &#8220;Search Engine Visibility&#8221; is unchecked if you want your site to be crawled and indexed by search engines.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>\u2714\ufe0f This allows search engines to index your new site.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:32px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-wide\" \/>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:32px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Final thoughts<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Migrating to the Catamount theme requires a few manual steps, but:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u2714\ufe0f It\u2019s a one-time process<br \/>\u2714\ufe0f It gives you a modern, flexible site<br \/>\u2714\ufe0f Most steps are quick and straightforward<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:32px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-wide\" \/>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:32px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Need help?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>If you run into issues at any stage:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Attend WordPress help hours<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Get guidance on layouts, navigation, or content<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Migrating to the new UVM Catamount WordPress theme can be as fast as applying the new theme to your site. However, there are a few things you want to take a look at when migrating. This guide walks you through the steps to successfully adopt the new theme on your existing WordPress website. Watch the &hellip; <\/p>\n<p class=\"link-more\"><a href=\"https:\/\/blog.uvm.edu\/manual\/2026\/06\/05\/direct-migration-to-the-new-wordpress-theme-single-site\/\" class=\"more-link\">Continue reading<span class=\"screen-reader-text\"> &#8220;Direct migration to the new WordPress theme (single site)&#8221;<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5625,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-5621","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized","entry"],"featured_image_src":null,"featured_image_src_square":null,"author_info":{"display_name":"Susan Mason Lazarev","author_link":"https:\/\/blog.uvm.edu\/manual\/author\/smasonla\/"},"rttpg_featured_image_url":null,"rttpg_author":{"display_name":"Susan Mason Lazarev","author_link":"https:\/\/blog.uvm.edu\/manual\/author\/smasonla\/"},"rttpg_comment":0,"rttpg_category":"<a href=\"https:\/\/blog.uvm.edu\/manual\/category\/uncategorized\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Uncategorized<\/a>","rttpg_excerpt":"Migrating to the new UVM Catamount WordPress theme can be as fast as applying the new theme to your site. However, there are a few things you want to take a look at when migrating. This guide walks you through the steps to successfully adopt the new theme on your existing WordPress website. Watch the&hellip;","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.uvm.edu\/manual\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5621","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.uvm.edu\/manual\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.uvm.edu\/manual\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.uvm.edu\/manual\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/5625"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.uvm.edu\/manual\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5621"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/blog.uvm.edu\/manual\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5621\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5622,"href":"https:\/\/blog.uvm.edu\/manual\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5621\/revisions\/5622"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.uvm.edu\/manual\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5621"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.uvm.edu\/manual\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5621"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.uvm.edu\/manual\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5621"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}