Set Up a WordPress Block Theme in 60 Seconds: The Right Way!

The first thing to know about WordPress block themes is that they primarily consist of two elements: templates and content. Think of your template as the structure or the ‘orange juice’ of your site—essential and distinct. Your content, comparable to ‘milk’, fills the structure with rich information and visuals. Just remember, while orange juice and milk are great on their own, mixing them into a ‘Morange’ isn’t quite as appealing when it comes to web design. It’s crucial to keep these elements separate to maintain a clean and navigable website.

Setting Up Your Template

The process begins in the WordPress site editor:

1. Login to your site editor and navigate to the templates section.
2. Click the plus sign to add a new template, selecting ‘front page’ from the options.
3. Avoid inserting any patterns at this stage—simply close that window.
4. Start building your base template by adding a header, content, and footer sections using the appropriate forward slash commands (/header, /content, /footer).
5. Save your template to lock in the structure.

Designing the Front Page

Once your template is set, it’s time to build your actual front page outside of the site editor:

1. Exit the site editor and go to Add New Page; name it ‘Home’ or another title of your choosing.
2. Design this page freely—insert a block pattern or customize it to fit your style.
3. Publish the page once you’re satisfied with the layout.

Finalizing the Setup

To ensure everything functions seamlessly:

1. Navigate to Settings and then to Reading.
2. Change the setting from ‘Your latest posts’ to a static page.
3. Select your newly created page as the homepage and save the changes.

Now, your WordPress site should display your chosen page as the front page, keeping your template and content beautifully separate. This distinction not only makes your site easier to manage but also prevents common mistakes that can make a site feel cluttered and confusing.

Why This Matters

Setting up a block theme in this structured manner is critical, especially if you’re new to WordPress or are managing a site that frequently updates its content. Keeping a clear separation between template and content ensures that your site remains easy to update and aesthetically pleasing without the risk of unintentional errors.