The third episode of our Summer Blogging School marked a shift towards more practical, hands-on work. Building on the introduction from the first two sessions, we continued learning by creating a WordPress website.
In this episode, we focused on setting up a website, understanding its structure and learning how to create a blog or a presentation website of your own.
Installing a WordPress Theme
After completing a fresh WordPress installation, we started by exploring our local development environment. We used Local WP, which allows us to run WordPress on a computer without purchasing hosting or a domain name.
WordPress is built using several technologies. HTML and CSS are essential for creating and styling web pages, while JavaScript adds interactivity. Behind the scenes, PHP handles server-side functionality, and MySQL stores website data.
Once we became familiar with the local environment, we installed a new WordPress theme. We demonstrated how to find and install free themes, as well as where to purchase commercial themes.
For our demonstration, we used the Go theme developed by GoDaddy. We also explored the CoBlocks plugin and the possibilities of editing website layouts using Gutenberg blocks.
In the following episode, we planned to take a closer look at visual customisation and adapting the website's appearance to specific needs.
Plugins
We installed CoBlocks, a plugin that extends the Gutenberg editor with additional blocks and layout options.
We demonstrated how to search for plugins, install and activate them, and use their features in everyday website development.
We also discussed how plugins can simplify the development process and why choosing reliable, regularly maintained plugins is important.
Pages, Posts and Navigation
One of the essential concepts in website development is understanding the difference between pages and posts.
Pages are typically used for relatively permanent content, such as About Us, Services and Contact. Posts are designed for regularly published content, including blog articles, news and updates.
We demonstrated how to create and edit pages and posts in the WordPress administration dashboard and how to organise them within a website.
As a practical example, we started creating a website for a web designer who wanted to present a professional portfolio. This helped us discuss what information visitors need and how to structure content effectively.
Finally, we explored website navigation and menus. We explained how to add pages to a menu and create a simple structure that helps visitors find their way around the website.
What's Next?
In the following episode, we planned to continue adding real content, presenting ideas and customising the website for specific goals.
Our aim was to demonstrate, through practical examples, how to create a website that is not only technically functional but also useful to its visitors.
Watch the Video: Summer Blogging School — Episode 3
Watch the recording of the third session and follow the practical steps demonstrated during the workshop. The video is in Serbian.