Now that you have your files all set up for converting your HTML template to WordPress, you now want to start changing the code of your HTML template to a WordPress compatible theme.

Today we are going to work on your header.php template. You will need to open your Header file from the folder you created in the last step in order to begin this process.

Next you will want to open up your HTML document and copy and paste the code from the top of the template all the way down to just BEFORE the DIV that contains your sidebar and/or content. This will be the core of your header.php file in your new WordPress theme.

For example:

(Click to view larger.)

Next you will want to fill in the header with some code that will help convert the HTML document into a WordPress compatible template!

Replace the code between the tags with the following code, or the code from your favorite WP theme:









Your header.php file should look something like this:

(Click on image to view larger.)

Please note that in WordPress the stylesheet is separate from the HTML document. But this code above is designed to link to the stylesheet you defined in the previous tutorial. If you have any CSS located within the header of your template, be sure to take it out and just add it to your external stylesheet.

Now this is actually turning out to be pretty easy don’t ya think? Going from static website to WP is definitely a smart move for EVERYONE who markets their business online!

Next week we will tackle the sidebar. Be sure to subscribe to this blog in your feed reader or by email so you don’t miss a single step!

Related posts:

1. Part 1: HTML to WordPress
2. Installing WordPress Using Fantastico

Tags: blog software, content management systems, headers, html, html templates, markup languages, php, php files, php programming language, php templates, templates, tutorials, web development, Wordpress, wordpress themes