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Website Design  

Building Websites with WordPress Using the Divi Theme

  1. Course Outline:

Module 1: Introduction to WordPress

  1. Lesson 1.1: What is WordPress?
    • Overview of WordPress as a CMS
    • Differences between WordPress.com and WordPress.org
  2. Lesson 1.2: Setting Up Your WordPress Site
    • Choosing a hosting provider and domain name
    • Installing WordPress
    • Basic WordPress settings

Module 2: Getting Started with the Divi Theme

  1. Lesson 2.1: Introduction to Divi
    • What is the Divi theme?
    • Key features of Divi
  2. Lesson 2.2: Installing and Activating Divi
    • How to install the Divi theme
    • Activating your Divi license

Module 3: Exploring Divi’s Features

  1. Lesson 3.1: The Divi Builder
    • Introduction to the Divi Builder
    • Using the visual builder vs. the backend builder
  2. Lesson 3.2: Divi Modules and Layouts
    • Overview of Divi modules (text, images, sliders, etc.)
    • Using pre-made layouts
  3. Lesson 3.3: Customizing with Divi Theme Options
    • Global settings and customization
    • Using the Theme Customizer

Module 4: Building a Website with Divi

  1. Lesson 4.1: Creating Your First Page
    • Using the Divi Builder to create a page
    • Adding and customizing modules
  2. Lesson 4.2: Designing the Homepage
    • Layout strategies for an effective homepage
    • Adding a hero section, call-to-action, and other elements
  3. Lesson 4.3: Creating Additional Pages
    • Designing an About Us page
    • Setting up a Contact page with a form
  4. Lesson 4.4: Creating a Blog with Divi
    • Setting up a blog page
    • Customizing blog post layouts

Module 5: Advanced Divi Techniques

  1. Lesson 5.1: Using Divi’s Advanced Design Features
    • Custom CSS and advanced design settings
    • Animations and transitions
  2. Lesson 5.2: Responsive Design with Divi
    • Making your site mobile-friendly
    • Customizing layouts for different devices
  3. Lesson 5.3: Divi and SEO
    • Best practices for SEO with Divi
    • Using SEO plugins
  4. Lesson 5.4: Performance Optimization
    • Speeding up your Divi site
    • Caching and image optimization

Module 6: Maintaining and Updating Your Divi Site

  1. Lesson 6.1: Regular Maintenance Tasks
    • Updating WordPress, Divi, and plugins
    • Backup strategies
  2. Lesson 6.2: Troubleshooting Common Issues
    • Debugging common Divi problems
    • Using the Divi support resources

Detailed Lesson Content

Module 1: Introduction to WordPress

Lesson 1.1: What is WordPress?

WordPress is a powerful content management system (CMS) that allows you to create and manage websites with ease. It is open-source software, which means it’s free to use and has a large community of developers contributing to its development. There are two versions of WordPress:

  • WordPress.com: A hosted solution where you can create a website for free, with optional paid upgrades for additional features.
  • WordPress.org: A self-hosted solution where you download the WordPress software and install it on your own web hosting server.

Lesson 1.2: Setting Up Your WordPress Site

  1. Choosing a Hosting Provider and Domain Name:
    • Recommended hosting providers: Bluehost, SiteGround, or WP Engine.
    • Tips for selecting a domain name: keep it short, memorable, and relevant to your content.
  2. Installing WordPress:
    • Using one-click installers available with most hosting providers.
    • Manual installation process: downloading WordPress, creating a database, and running the installation script.
  3. Basic WordPress Settings:
    • Configuring site title and tagline.
    • Setting the permalink structure.
    • Managing user accounts and roles.

Module 2: Getting Started with the Divi Theme

Lesson 2.1: Introduction to Divi

Divi is a versatile and powerful theme developed by Elegant Themes. It is known for its user-friendly drag-and-drop builder, making it accessible for both beginners and experienced web designers. Key features include:

  • A visual builder for live, on-page editing.
  • Pre-made layouts and design elements.
  • Customizable modules and sections.

Lesson 2.2: Installing and Activating Divi

  1. How to Install the Divi Theme:
    • Downloading the theme from Elegant Themes.
    • Uploading and installing the theme via the WordPress dashboard.
  2. Activating Your Divi License:
    • Entering your Elegant Themes API key for automatic updates and support.
    • Configuring theme options and updates.

Module 3: Exploring Divi’s Features

Lesson 3.1: The Divi Builder

The Divi Builder is a drag-and-drop page builder that allows you to create complex layouts and designs without needing to know how to code. There are two ways to use the builder:

  • Visual Builder: Edit your pages on the front end, seeing the changes as you make them.
  • Backend Builder: Use a more traditional interface within the WordPress dashboard.

Lesson 3.2: Divi Modules and Layouts

  1. Overview of Divi Modules:
    • Text, image, and video modules.
    • Advanced modules like sliders, galleries, and forms.
  2. Using Pre-Made Layouts:
    • Importing and customizing pre-made layouts.
    • Saving your own layouts for future use.

Lesson 3.3: Customizing with Divi Theme Options

  1. Global Settings and Customization:
    • Configuring global typography and color schemes.
    • Setting up header and footer options.
  2. Using the Theme Customizer:
    • Making site-wide changes through the WordPress Customizer.
    • Previewing changes in real-time.

Module 4: Building a Website with Divi

Lesson 4.1: Creating Your First Page

  1. Using the Divi Builder to Create a Page:
    • Starting with a blank page or a pre-made layout.
    • Adding and arranging modules.
  2. Adding and Customizing Modules:
    • Editing text and image modules.
    • Using design options for spacing, backgrounds, and borders.

Lesson 4.2: Designing the Homepage

  1. Layout Strategies for an Effective Homepage:
    • Structuring the homepage for maximum impact.
    • Using hero sections, calls-to-action, and testimonials.
  2. Adding a Hero Section, Call-to-Action, and Other Elements:
    • Creating an eye-catching hero section.
    • Setting up call-to-action buttons and sections.

Lesson 4.3: Creating Additional Pages

  1. Designing an About Us Page:
    • Highlighting your team and mission.
    • Using images and videos to tell your story.
  2. Setting Up a Contact Page with a Form:
    • Adding a contact form module.
    • Including a map and contact information.

Lesson 4.4: Creating a Blog with Divi

  1. Setting Up a Blog Page:
    • Configuring your blog layout.
    • Displaying posts using the blog module.
  2. Customizing Blog Post Layouts:
    • Designing single post templates.
    • Adding related posts and social sharing buttons.

Module 5: Advanced Divi Techniques

Lesson 5.1: Using Divi’s Advanced Design Features

  1. Custom CSS and Advanced Design Settings:
    • Adding custom CSS to modules.
    • Using advanced design settings for unique styles.
  2. Animations and Transitions:
    • Adding animations to modules.
    • Configuring hover effects and transitions.

Lesson 5.2: Responsive Design with Divi

  1. Making Your Site Mobile-Friendly:
    • Using Divi’s responsive editing tools.
    • Previewing your site on different devices.
  2. Customizing Layouts for Different Devices:
    • Adjusting module settings for mobile and tablet views.
    • Using display options to show/hide elements on different devices.

Lesson 5.3: Divi and SEO

  1. Best Practices for SEO with Divi:
    • Using SEO-friendly modules and practices.
    • Adding meta descriptions and keywords.
  2. Using SEO Plugins:
    • Installing and configuring popular SEO plugins like Yoast SEO.
    • Integrating SEO settings with Divi.

Lesson 5.4: Performance Optimization

  1. Speeding Up Your Divi Site:
    • Optimizing images and using lazy loading.
    • Minifying CSS and JavaScript files.
  2. Caching and Image Optimization:
    • Setting up caching with plugins like W3 Total Cache or WP Super Cache.
    • Using image optimization tools like Smush or EWWW Image Optimizer.

Module 6: Maintaining and Updating Your Divi Site

Lesson 6.1: Regular Maintenance Tasks

  1. Updating WordPress, Divi, and Plugins:
    • The importance of keeping everything up-to-date.
    • How to safely update WordPress, themes, and plugins.
  2. Backup Strategies:
    • Setting up automatic backups.
    • Recommended backup plugins and services.

Lesson 6.2: Troubleshooting Common Issues

  1. Debugging Common Divi Problems:
    • Common issues and how to fix them.
    • Using Divi’s built-in support and troubleshooting tools.
  2. Using the Divi Support Resources:
    • Accessing Elegant Themes support and documentation.
    • Engaging with the Divi community for help and inspiration.

Conclusion

  • Recap of Key Points:
    • Summarize the main concepts covered in the course.
  • Next Steps:
    • Encourage students to continue exploring and experimenting with Divi.
    • Provide resources for further learning and support.

This comprehensive outline provides a structured approach to learning how to build websites with WordPress and the Divi theme, covering everything from basic setup to advanced customization and maintenance.

For more informtion and registration contact us at :

+44 7599577000

 info@CloudVillage.uk