Topics
- WordPress dashboard overview
- Installing and configuring the default 2026 theme
- Pages vs. posts
- Navigation menus, header, and footer customization
- Installing and configuring WooCommerce
- Intro to responsive design
Objectives
- Install and configure WordPress
- Customize theme branding (colors, typography, logo)
- Create core pages (Home, Shop, About, Contact)
- Install WooCommerce and generate default store pages
Connection to the Real World
Maria wants a website that feels professional, trustworthy, and easy to navigate. Her customers range from tech-savvy college students to long-time regulars who simply want to reorder their favorite dark roast. The site must work for all of them.
Using a default WordPress theme emphasizes structure, usability, and clarity rather than excessive customization. Many small businesses operate within budget constraints and rely on standard themes. The challenge is elevating a simple framework through thoughtful layout, branding consistency, typography, and hierarchy. When customers land on the homepage, they should immediately understand what the café offers, why it’s unique, and how to place an order or visit the store.
Why It’s Important
Understanding WordPress fundamentals builds confidence in managing content, navigation, and page structure. WooCommerce provides e-commerce functionality, including product listings, shopping carts, and checkout. Mastering these essentials allows for the creation of a functional, scalable store built on a widely used platform.
Hands-on Activities
- Set up a WordPress site (local or hosted)
- Apply branding to the default theme
- Build homepage layout and core pages
- Install WooCommerce and configure the shop structure