Child Theme

In plain English

When you customize a WordPress theme — tweaking the layout, spacing, or styling — those changes are made inside the theme's files. The problem: when that theme releases an update, it can overwrite your changes and undo your work. A child theme solves this by keeping your customizations in a separate layer that sits on top of the main theme, so updates can't erase them.

Why it matters for your business

If a site was customized directly instead of through a child theme, a routine theme update can suddenly revert the look to its default — a nasty, confusing surprise. A child theme means you get the best of both: the security and bug fixes from updating your theme, and the custom design work that makes your site yours.

When it comes up

Any time real customization is done to a theme, it should be done in a child theme. If you've ever had design changes mysteriously disappear after an update, a missing child theme is usually why.