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Guide · October 2026

Change the design of your clan website: switch themes without losing content

Your website no longer looks like you? A new design does not mean rebuilding everything. We show what a theme changes, what to check first and how the switch works step by step.

Full disclosure: We build Clan CMS and sell themes for it. The guide also applies to other systems that have themes or design templates.

About 5 minutes to read · updated 18 Oct 2026

1. What a design (theme) changes and what it does not

A theme is the shell of the site: layout, menu, colors, fonts and how the start page, teams, matches and news look. Your content is not part of it. It lives separately in the database and stays when you switch.

  • Changes: page structure, menu and header, colors, fonts, size of images and tiles
  • Stays: teams, players, matches, news, partners, applications, settings and texts
  • May need rework: logo (color and shape), cover images (different aspect ratio) and very long texts in small tiles

2. What to check before you switch

  1. Create a backup. Before any bigger change. In Clan CMS this takes one click in the admin under "Backup".
  2. Have your logo ready, ideally cut out (PNG or SVG with a transparent background). A logo with a white box looks clumsy on colored areas.
  3. Note your colors: one main (accent) color is enough. Check that text stays readable on it.
  4. Check images: cover image, team images and player photos. Depending on the design they appear tall, wide or square.
  5. Use the preview before the new design applies to visitors. In Clan CMS there is a preview button under "Design".

3. Three ways to a new look

Adjust colors and logo in the current design

Often a new accent color, a different logo or a new cover image is enough to make the site feel fresh. It takes a few minutes and carries no risk.

Fast, free, nothing can break.

The structure of the pages stays the same.

Switch to a ready-made theme

Another theme brings another layout: for example a menu at the side, a large title area or a start page made of tiles. Content and settings stay, only the shell changes.

A completely new impression in little time.

Logo and images look a little different in every layout and need a look.

Build or commission a custom design

If the site should look exactly like your stream and social media presence, a custom design is worth it. It takes time or budget and someone to maintain it.

Maximum individuality.

Costly, and the design has to be kept up with updates of the system.

4. How to switch in Clan CMS

Clan CMS includes three designs: Arena (angular, loud, broadcast look), Pro Org (dark and calm) and Magazin (light and editorial). More themes are available individually, for example Launcher (dark and angular, top menu, tabbed schedule) for €49 one-time. All themes at a glance, with live demos: theme shop.

  1. Open Admin → Design. All installed designs are listed with a preview image.
  2. Look at the preview. The new design then applies to you only, visitors still see the old one.
  3. Adjust: accent color, background, text color, corner radius and, depending on the design, more switches, for example the title area of the start page.
  4. Activate. From then on all visitors see the new design. Content and settings are unchanged.
  5. Way back: If you do not like it, choose the old design again. Nothing is lost.

We set up additional themes for you: you send us FTP access, we upload the theme and you activate it under "Design". You cannot upload new themes in the admin yourself, because themes contain program code and we do not offer that for security reasons.

5. What matters in esports designs

  • Readability: Light text on a dark background is common in esports. Watch the contrast for small type, especially for dates and results.
  • Mobile first: A large share of visitors comes from phones. Menu, schedule and application form must work there without zooming.
  • The next date at a glance: Next match, results and live status belong at the top.
  • Your logo and your color: When stream overlay, social media and website share the same accent color, the organization looks more professional.
  • Loading time: Include fonts and images locally and at a sensible size. Clan CMS loads its fonts locally and uses no tracking services.
  • Visible partners: A calm logo strip on the start page shows sponsors without getting in the way.

More on building an organization website in the guide create an esports clan website.

6. Frequently asked questions

Do I lose my content when I change the design?

No. Teams, players, matches, news, partners and settings are stored separately from the design in the database and stay as they are. Only the look changes.

Can I try a design first?

Yes. In Clan CMS there is a preview under Design that applies to you only. Visitors see the new design only after you click Activate.

Do I have to set everything up again after switching?

Usually only accent color and logo. The settings of a design apply per design, so you can prepare them in advance.

How do I upload a new theme?

In Clan CMS we set up additional themes for you, you only need to give us FTP access for a short time. Uploading in the admin is not offered for security reasons, because themes contain program code.

What happens to my logo?

It is shown a little differently in every design. A cut-out logo (PNG or SVG with a transparent background) works best everywhere.

A new look for your site?

In Clan CMS you switch the design in two clicks without losing content. Take a look at the themes with a live demo.

View themes