Most beginner bloggers start out with a template so that they are not staring at a blank screen. But templates can have different structures, depending on who built them. Here are a few tips to get your template set up so that you can start blogging first and customize it later.
Here’s the video tutorial for those who’d like a visual guide:
Setting Up Your Homepage as Your Blog Page
When a Kadence template is installed, it often comes preloaded with several pages and settings. By default, the homepage is typically set as a “static page” rather than showing your latest blog posts. Beginners tend to get caught up in the design of their websites and find it to be a huge stumbling block to getting down to the business of writing. Let's get your blog running without making yourself crazy with design:
- Navigate to Your Reading Settings
- Go to the WordPress dashboard. Under Settings > Reading, check out how the template is set up. If the homepage is set to display a static page (probably titled “Home”) and your blog page is set to “Blog”, just change the setting to Your homepage displays your latest posts.
- This switch converts your homepage into your blog, where readers can see every post you publish.
- Save the Changes and Check Your Homepage
- Refresh your site to ensure everything is working.
- Your homepage should now be showing your blog posts.
- The old homepage may be linked in the menu. Let's go on to the next step:
Managing and Simplifying Your Menu
The menu that comes with a Kadence template often has pages that you are not ready to display. Here’s how to clean it up.
- Edit Your Main Menu
- Go to Appearance > Menus in the backend.
- Locate the “Main Menu” or the primary menu that’s displayed in your header.
- Remove Unnecessary Pages
- Delete any pages you don’t need from the menu. Don't worry! You can always put them back later.
- Keep important items like your About page, and Contact page.
- Reorganize Your Menu
- Add a custom link to your blog page by copying your site URL and labeling the link “Home.” Move it to the top of the menu for easy navigation.
- Save Your Menu
- Once your menu reflects only the essential pages (e.g., Home, About, Contact), save your changes.
Your streamlined menu makes your site clean and user-friendly, and readers won't stumble upon a page that hasn't been customized yet.
Dealing With Extra Pages
Many Kadence templates come with pages you won’t need right away, like services or portfolio sections. These can clutter your site and confuse visitors.
- Go to your Pages section in the WordPress dashboard.
- Delete any unnecessary placeholder pages or drafts.
- Focus on your About page (introduce yourself) and the Contact page (allow visitors to reach out).
For now, your goal isn’t to have an elaborate website—it’s to start blogging with minimal distractions.
Customizing the Header
The header on your Kadence template may come with a preloaded logo. Here’s how to simplify it:
- Go to the Customizer
- Navigate to Appearance > Customize.
- Select the Header section.
- Adjust Your Logo and Title
- If you don’t have a logo, remove the placeholder image.
- Choose to display your site title instead. You can tweak the title in the settings here as well.
Once you have a brand and a logo, you can update your header.
- Save Your Header Settings
Why Focus on Blogging Right Away?
All the setup work is great, but let’s not lose sight of why you’re here: to blog. Starting with a Kadence template sets you up for success, but keeping things simple ensures you can jump into writing without stress.
Here’s why:
- Customizing too much can waste hours. You'll spend time trying to make your site pretty when no one is coming to it at the moment. You have to give your site time to be found in search.
- Readers care more about your content than a flashy site. If they come to your site and click on unfinished pages that haven't been customized yet, they will have a hard time trusting your authority.
- Extra features can distract you from creating. Once you start using Kadence to write your blog posts, you'll feel more comfortable with the different blocks and how they are used. This will help save time once you start to customize your site.
Stick to the essentials, and over time, you can refine your site’s look and feel.
Check out my YouTube playlist: Website in a Weekend.
This playlist has 5 short, easy to follow videos that will get you up and running in a weekend.
Blog First, Customize Later
Setting up a Kadence template is straightforward once you understand the basics. Focus on what matters—your blog content. With your homepage showing your latest posts, a clean menu, and an uncluttered header, you’re ready to share your article with your readers.
Remember, templates are just tools. They’re flexible and customizable, but they don’t write your content for you. Your main job is to create posts and keep hitting publish. Everything else can follow as your blog grows.
It’s time to stop overthinking and start blogging. Happy writing!
Hey there!
I'm Diane Houghton and I've been working with WordPress for 20 years. I can code a website using HTML, CSS and PHP, but I'd rather drag and drop designs from my own custom Kadence Library.
I have built websites for dozens of small businesses, and now my focus is teaching WordPress to beginner bloggers.
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