Quick Setup (Demo Import)

The fastest way to get a site that looks exactly like our demo is to import the demo data. Follow the steps below.

Step 1: Install the Simple & Elegant theme. If you’ve already done this, move on to step 2.

Step 2: Install all required plugins under Dashboard > Appearance > Install Plugins. Otherwise, your portfolio won’t be imported. If you are setting up an eCommerce website, also install the WooCommerce plugin — Simple & Elegant works perfectly with it.

Step 3: Go to Dashboard > Appearance > Import Demo Data and select the demo you want to import. Wait 5–15 minutes (our server and images are located in the USA). You can verify the import is working by opening a new tab and going to Dashboard > Media to see new images being added to your site. A notice appears when the import has completed.

Appearance > Import Demo Data screen showing the Main Demo with an Import Demo Data button

Backup method: import manually

It’s rare, but possible: if your server isn’t strong enough, or there are issues during the one-click import, use the manual method below.

Step 3b: Go to Dashboard > Tools > Import and click the WordPress link (the last option) to install the WordPress Importer.

Tools > Import screen with the WordPress importer Run Importer link highlighted

Step 4b: Click Run Importer and upload the demo.xml file from your theme package. There are 3 demos and 3 XML files, located in /simple-elegant/inc/demos/. Click Upload and run importer, and be sure to check “Download and import file attachments”. The import takes about 2–15 minutes depending on your server connection.

WordPress Importer Assign Authors and Import Attachments options

Step 5b: Go to Dashboard > Settings > Reading and set your homepage to Home and your blog page to Blog.

Settings > Reading screen with a static page set as the front page

Step 6b: Go to Dashboard > Appearance > Menus to set up menu locations. Assign menus to the right positions:

Primary → Primary Menu
Topbar → Topbar

Menus screen Menu Settings with Primary Menu display location selected

Import the sliders

Step 7: Go to Dashboard > Slider Revolution and click Import Slider. Import the sample slider(s) from your download package. Each demo has its own slider(s) that need to be imported:

Main Demo: main-slider.zip, main-small-slider.zip, main-shop-slider.zip
Photography Demo: photography.zip
DIY Demo: diy.zip

Step 8: Go to Dashboard > Appearance > Widgets to set up your footer widgets, and Dashboard > Appearance > Customize to customize your site’s look.