The Custom CSS option allows you to use your own CSS (Cascading Style Sheet) to customize the appearance of your website. CSS allows you to change fonts, colors, borders, backgrounds, and even the layout of the website.
Please note that CSS can be a fairly tricky technical job. CSS can behave differently in different web browsers. See the CSS Help section for more information. You should have some knowledge of CSS before purchasing the upgrade – or at least a willingness to learn!
Does the Custom CSS let me edit HTML?
No. You can change the appearance of a theme, but not its HTML markup, PHP code, or content.
Can I use the Custom CSS to make minor visual changes to an existing theme?
Yes (within the limits of CSS, and your skill as a CSS designer, of course). You can choose to apply your CSS to an existing theme in addition to the standard stylesheet used by that theme. This makes it possible to make minor changes (such as color and font changes) with just a few lines of CSS.
How do I upload images for use with my CSS?
You can upload an image as an attachment to any Post or Page, then refer to it by its direct URL from within your CSS stylesheet. You’ll find the direct URL of each image on your Manage/Uploads tab. Here’s a simple example of how to use a background image in your stylesheet:
div#content {
background-image: url(http://example.files.bandpress.org/2007/08/example.jpg);
}
CSS Help
We do not offer CSS support or training directly, but there are a TON of great resources on the web to get you started into learning more about HTML and CSS. There is a learning curve, but CSS is a very valuable and reusable skill.
Here are a few tips we live by:
- Be careful! Often Support staff aren’t able to help you reverse errors made in your CSS code.
- Develop your stylesheets offline.
- Use a validation service, like this one.
- Use Firefox as your browser and download the Web Developer Toolbar add-on, which allows you to edit stylesheets on a live page.
Tutorials
- W3 Schools CSS tutorial
- Web Design Group guide to CSS
- WestCiv complete CSS guide
- Sitepoint CSS articles
References
Forums and Mailing Lists
Books — if you’re old-school

