Course Content
Topic 1: Getting Started with WordPress
This topic introduces what WordPress is, how it works, and why it is a great choice for building different types of websites. You'll learn how to set up your first site and navigate the dashboard with confidence, laying the foundation for your WordPress journey.
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Topic 2: Posts, Pages, and Publishing Content
Here, you’ll discover the difference between posts and pages, and how to create and manage them. You’ll also learn how to use categories and tags to organize your content for better user experience and SEO.
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Topic 3: Designing with Gutenberg Block Editor
This topic dives into the Gutenberg block editor, WordPress's default content builder. You'll learn how to create visually appealing pages using blocks, patterns, and reusable elements for faster content creatio
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Topic 4: Menus, Widgets, and Site Structure
You’ll learn how to build custom navigation menus and enhance your sidebar or footer areas using widgets. This topic helps you create a user-friendly structure that makes your site easy to navigate and engaging for visitors.
Topic 5: Themes and Site Customization
This section covers how to choose and install themes that suit your brand. You’ll also explore theme customization options and basic design tweaks to give your site a professional, personalized look.
Topic 6: Plugins and Extending WordPress Functionality
Learn how to extend your website's capabilities using plugins—from contact forms to security and SEO tools. You'll understand how to install, manage, and update plugins to keep your site running smoothly.
Topic 7: Website Maintenance and Security
This topic focuses on keeping your site healthy and secure. You'll learn how to perform regular updates, create backups, and apply basic security practices to protect your content and users.
Topic 8: SEO and Performance Optimization
Here, you’ll explore the basics of SEO and how to improve your site’s visibility on search engines. You'll also learn how to boost performance with caching, image optimization, and helpful SEO plugins.
Topic 9: Advanced Topics and Going Further
The final topic introduces advanced features like eCommerce with WooCommerce, mobile optimization, and monetization strategies. You’ll also get guidance on domains, hosting, and planning the next steps in your WordPress journey.
Introduction to WordPress

 

Once you’ve installed WordPress and logged in, the first screen you’ll see is the WordPress Dashboard. Think of it as your website’s command center — it’s where you control everything behind the scenes: posts, pages, design, plugins, settings, and more.

In this lesson, you’ll get a guided tour of the dashboard so you can confidently manage your site.

1. Dashboard Overview

The WordPress Dashboard is divided into two main parts:

  • Main Area (center): Shows widgets like “At a Glance,” “Quick Draft,” and “WordPress News.”

  • Sidebar Menu (left side): Your main navigation for managing your site.

Let’s look at the key menu items on the left sidebar.

2. Key Sections in the Left Sidebar

Home

  • Brings you back to the main dashboard screen.

  • Shows updates, recent activity, and useful shortcuts.

Updates

  • Check here to update WordPress core, themes, and plugins.

  • Keeping everything updated is important for security and performance.

Posts

  • Where you create and manage blog posts.

  • Includes Categories and Tags to organize your content.

Media

  • Access the Media Library to upload and manage images, videos, PDFs, and more.

  • You can drag-and-drop files or use the upload button.

Pages

  • Create and manage static pages like About, Contact, or Home.

  • Unlike posts, pages are typically used for timeless content.

Comments

  • Moderate, reply to, or delete comments left by visitors on your posts.

  • You can approve, hold, or mark them as spam.

3. Appearance

  • Control your site’s look and feel.

  • Key options include:

    • Themes: Install or switch themes.

    • Customize: Use the live customizer to change colors, logos, and layouts.

    • Widgets: Add features like recent posts, search boxes, and more to your sidebar/footer.

    • Menus: Create navigation menus for your site.

    • Theme File Editor (advanced): Edit theme code directly (not recommended for beginners).

4. Plugins

  • Add new features to your site (e.g., contact forms, SEO tools).

  • You can activate, deactivate, and update plugins from here.

5. Users

  • Manage user accounts for your site.

  • You can add authors, editors, or administrators depending on who needs access.

6. Tools and Settings

Tools

  • Basic site tools like import/export.

Settings

  • Important options for your site’s title, timezone, permalink structure, and more.

  • Visit each sub-section (General, Reading, Writing, etc.) to fine-tune your setup.