Articles on: Reign Theme

Pre-Installation Checklist for Reign Theme

System Requirements Verification


Before installing Reign theme, ensure your hosting environment meets all requirements for optimal performance.


Server Requirements


Minimum Requirements

  • PHP Version: 7.4 or higher
  • MySQL Version: 5.6 or higher (MySQL 8.0 recommended)
  • WordPress Version: 5.0 or higher
  • Memory Limit: 128MB (256MB recommended)
  • Max Execution Time: 30 seconds (300 recommended for imports)
  • Max Input Vars: 1000 (3000 recommended)
  • Upload Max Filesize: 32MB (64MB recommended)
  • Post Max Size: 32MB (64MB recommended)


  • PHP Version: 8.0 or higher
  • MySQL Version: 8.0 or MariaDB 10.3+
  • Memory Limit: 256MB or higher
  • HTTPS: SSL certificate installed
  • mod_rewrite: Apache module enabled
  • cURL: Version 7.34 or higher
  • GD Library: For image processing
  • XML Support: For sitemap generation


Hosting Environment Check


Supported Hosting Types

  • ✅ Shared Hosting (with adequate resources)
  • ✅ VPS (Virtual Private Server)
  • ✅ Dedicated Server
  • ✅ Cloud Hosting (AWS, Google Cloud, DigitalOcean)
  • ✅ Managed WordPress Hosting


  1. SiteGround - Optimized for WordPress
  2. WP Engine - Managed WordPress hosting
  3. Kinsta - Premium performance
  4. Cloudways - Cloud-based flexibility
  5. DigitalOcean - Developer-friendly


Hosting Features to Look For

  • One-click WordPress installation
  • Automatic backups
  • SSL certificate
  • CDN integration
  • Staging environment
  • SSH access (for advanced users)


WordPress Preparation


Clean WordPress Installation

  • [ ] Fresh WordPress installation completed
  • [ ] Default themes can be deleted (keep one as fallback)
  • [ ] Default plugins reviewed and unnecessary ones removed
  • [ ] Admin email address verified
  • [ ] Site timezone configured
  • [ ] Permalink structure set (Post name recommended)


Existing WordPress Site

  • [ ] Complete backup created (files and database)
  • [ ] All plugins updated to latest versions
  • [ ] WordPress core updated
  • [ ] Database optimized
  • [ ] Unused themes removed
  • [ ] Media library cleaned up


Required Information & Assets


License & Purchase Information

  • [ ] Reign theme purchase code ready
  • [ ] ThemeForest/purchase account access
  • [ ] Download link for latest theme version


Branding Assets

  • [ ] Logo files prepared (PNG/SVG recommended)
  • Desktop logo (200x50px recommended)
  • Mobile logo (150x40px recommended)
  • Favicon (512x512px)
  • [ ] Brand colors defined (hex codes)
  • [ ] Typography choices made
  • [ ] Social media URLs ready


Content Preparation

  • [ ] Site title and tagline decided
  • [ ] Main menu structure planned
  • [ ] Key pages content drafted
  • [ ] User registration settings decided
  • [ ] Privacy policy and terms prepared


Plugin Compatibility Check


Essential Plugins

  • [ ] Kirki Framework - Required for customizer
  • [ ] BuddyPress - For community features (optional)
  • [ ] bbPress - For forum functionality (optional)
  • [ ] WooCommerce - For e-commerce (optional)


Compatible Page Builders

  • [ ] Elementor (Free or Pro)
  • [ ] Beaver Builder
  • [ ] Divi Builder
  • [ ] WPBakery Page Builder
  • [ ] Gutenberg (Default block editor)


  • [ ] Yoast SEO or RankMath - SEO optimization
  • [ ] WP Rocket or W3 Total Cache - Caching
  • [ ] Imagify or ShortPixel - Image optimization
  • [ ] UpdraftPlus - Backup solution
  • [ ] Wordfence or Sucuri - Security


Potential Conflict Plugins

Review and consider alternatives for:

  • Other theme-specific plugins
  • Outdated customizer plugins
  • Conflicting menu plugins
  • Old page builder plugins
  • Deprecated community plugins


Database Preparation


Database Optimization

  • [ ] Remove post revisions
  • [ ] Clean spam comments
  • [ ] Delete transient options
  • [ ] Optimize database tables
  • [ ] Remove unused tables from old plugins


Database Backup

  • [ ] Full database backup completed
  • [ ] Backup stored off-site
  • [ ] Restore process tested
  • [ ] Database credentials documented


Security Checklist


Basic Security

  • [ ] Strong admin password set
  • [ ] Admin username changed from "admin"
  • [ ] File permissions correct (755 for folders, 644 for files)
  • [ ] wp-config.php protected
  • [ ] XML-RPC disabled if not needed
  • [ ] File editing disabled in WordPress admin


SSL & HTTPS

  • [ ] SSL certificate installed
  • [ ] Force HTTPS redirect configured
  • [ ] Mixed content issues resolved
  • [ ] SSL certificate expiry noted


Performance Baseline


Current Performance Metrics

Document your site's current performance (if existing site):

  • [ ] Page load time: ___ seconds
  • [ ] Google PageSpeed score: ___/100
  • [ ] GTmetrix grade: ___
  • [ ] Number of HTTP requests: ___
  • [ ] Total page size: ___ MB


Performance Goals

  • [ ] Target load time defined
  • [ ] Performance budget set
  • [ ] CDN requirements assessed
  • [ ] Caching strategy planned


Development Environment


Local Development (Optional)

  • [ ] Local development environment ready (XAMPP/Local/Docker)
  • [ ] Staging site available
  • [ ] Version control set up (Git)
  • [ ] Deployment process defined


Browser Testing Setup

  • [ ] Chrome/Edge (latest version)
  • [ ] Firefox (latest version)
  • [ ] Safari (if on Mac)
  • [ ] Mobile browsers ready for testing


Team & Access Preparation


Team Members

  • [ ] Administrator accounts planned
  • [ ] Editor/Author roles defined
  • [ ] Moderator roles planned (for community)
  • [ ] Vendor roles planned (for marketplace)


Access Credentials

  • [ ] Hosting control panel access
  • [ ] FTP/SFTP credentials
  • [ ] Database access (phpMyAdmin)
  • [ ] Email accounts configured
  • [ ] CDN account (if using)


Migration Checklist (If Applicable)


From Another Theme

  • [ ] Content audit completed
  • [ ] Custom code documented
  • [ ] Shortcodes identified
  • [ ] Custom post types noted
  • [ ] Widget configurations documented
  • [ ] Menu structures exported


Domain/Hosting Migration

  • [ ] DNS records documented
  • [ ] Email settings backed up
  • [ ] SSL certificate ready for transfer
  • [ ] Redirects planned
  • [ ] Downtime window scheduled


Support Resources


Documentation Access

  • [ ] Reign documentation bookmarked
  • [ ] Support ticket system access verified
  • [ ] Community forum account created
  • [ ] Video tutorial playlist saved


Emergency Contacts

  • [ ] Hosting support contact
  • [ ] Developer contact (if applicable)
  • [ ] Theme support ticket system
  • [ ] Backup restoration process documented


Final Pre-Installation Steps


Immediate Before Installation

  1. Clear all caches (if existing site)
  2. Create fresh backup
  3. Note current plugin versions
  4. Document current settings
  5. Schedule installation time (low traffic period)


Communication Plan

  • [ ] User notification prepared (if existing site)
  • [ ] Maintenance mode message ready
  • [ ] Team members informed
  • [ ] Testing plan communicated


Installation Readiness Score


Rate your readiness (check all that apply):

  • [ ] All server requirements met
  • [ ] Backup completed and tested
  • [ ] License key ready
  • [ ] Brand assets prepared
  • [ ] Content strategy defined
  • [ ] Plugin compatibility verified
  • [ ] Security measures in place
  • [ ] Performance baseline documented
  • [ ] Support resources accessible
  • [ ] Team briefed and ready


Score: ___/10


✅ 9-10: Excellent! Proceed with installation

⚠️ 6-8: Good, but review unchecked items

❌ Below 6: Additional preparation recommended


Quick Reference Commands


Check PHP Version

php -v


Check MySQL Version

SELECT VERSION();


Increase PHP Memory Limit (wp-config.php)

define('WP_MEMORY_LIMIT', '256M');


Enable Debug Mode (wp-config.php)

define('WP_DEBUG', true);
define('WP_DEBUG_LOG', true);
define('WP_DEBUG_DISPLAY', false);



Ready to Install? Once you've completed this checklist, proceed to the 5-Minute Setup Guide for quick installation.

Updated on: 20/09/2025

Was this article helpful?

Share your feedback

Cancel

Thank you!