Website Design

Website design with WordPress involves covering the fundamentals of WordPress, design principles, and practical skills for creating and managing a website. Here’s a detailed course outline:

### Course Title: Website Design with WordPress

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#### Module 1: Introduction to WordPress

1. **Overview of WordPress**
– History and Evolution
– Understanding CMS (Content Management System)
– WordPress.com vs WordPress.org

2. **Setting Up Your WordPress Environment**
– Domain Registration and Hosting
– Installing WordPress
– Introduction to the WordPress Dashboard

3. **WordPress Essentials**
– Posts vs. Pages
– Media Library
– User Roles and Permissions

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#### Module 2: Themes and Plugins

1. **Understanding Themes**
– What are Themes?
– Selecting and Installing Themes
– Customizing Themes (Introduction to the Customizer)

2. **Popular Themes for Web Design**
– Overview of Popular Themes (e.g., Astra, Divi, OceanWP)
– Child Themes: What They Are and How to Use Them

3. **Plugins for Enhanced Functionality**
– What are Plugins?
– Essential Plugins (SEO, Security, Performance)
– Installing and Managing Plugins

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#### Module 3: Designing with WordPress

1. **Basic Design Principles**
– Understanding Layouts
– Color Theory and Typography
– UX/UI Principles

2. **Using Page Builders**
– Introduction to Page Builders (e.g., Elementor, Beaver Builder, Gutenberg)
– Creating Layouts with Page Builders
– Advanced Design Techniques

3. **Customizing Your Site**
– Custom CSS and HTML
– Widgets and Menus
– Custom Post Types and Fields

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#### Module 4: Content Creation and Management

1. **Creating and Formatting Content**
– Writing and Formatting Blog Posts
– Creating and Managing Pages
– Using Categories and Tags

2. **Media Management**
– Uploading and Managing Images, Videos, and Other Media
– Optimizing Media for the Web
– Creating Image Galleries and Slideshows

3. **SEO Best Practices**
– Introduction to SEO
– Using SEO Plugins (e.g., Yoast SEO, Rank Math)
– Creating SEO-Friendly Content

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#### Module 5: Advanced Customization and Development

1. **Customizing with Code**
– Introduction to HTML, CSS, and PHP
– Theme Customization via Code
– Creating a Child Theme

2. **Introduction to JavaScript and jQuery**
– Basics of JavaScript and jQuery
– Enhancing User Experience with JavaScript

3. **Advanced Theme Development**
– Creating Custom Themes
– Understanding the WordPress Template Hierarchy
– Using Theme Frameworks (e.g., Genesis)

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#### Module 6: Managing and Maintaining Your Website

1. **Website Security**
– Best Practices for WordPress Security
– Using Security Plugins (e.g., Wordfence, Sucuri)
– Regular Backups and Updates

2. **Performance Optimization**
– Speeding Up Your WordPress Site
– Caching Plugins (e.g., WP Super Cache, W3 Total Cache)
– Image Optimization and Lazy Loading

3. **Ongoing Maintenance**
– Regular Updates and Maintenance Tasks
– Troubleshooting Common Issues
– Managing Comments and Spam

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#### Module 7: E-Commerce with WordPress (Optional)

1. **Introduction to WooCommerce**
– Setting Up WooCommerce
– Adding Products and Managing Inventory

2. **Customizing Your Online Store**
– Customizing WooCommerce Themes
– Using WooCommerce Plugins

3. **Payment and Shipping Settings**
– Configuring Payment Gateways
– Setting Up Shipping Options

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#### Module 8: Final Project and Review

1. **Capstone Project**
– Planning Your Website
– Implementing the Design and Functionality
– Presenting Your Website

2. **Course Review and Q&A**
– Recap of Key Concepts
– Q&A Session
– Resources for Further Learning

3. **Certification and Feedback**
– Certification of Completion
– Course Feedback and Improvement

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### Recommended Resources

– **Books and E-books**
– “WordPress for Beginners” by Dr. Andy Williams
– “Professional WordPress: Design and Development” by Brad Williams, David Damstra, and Hal Stern

– **Online Resources**
– WordPress Codex
– WPBeginner
– Elementor Academy

– **Communities and Forums**
– WordPress Support Forums
– Reddit: r/WordPress
– Facebook Groups for WordPress Users

This outline should provide a comprehensive path for learners to develop proficiency in WordPress website design, from basic setup to advanced customization and maintenance.