[Support request] Help – Overwhelmed with GeneratePress

[Nigel]

Have created WordPress sites in past, usually using a theme and a page builder. However, raw into GP totally baffled and overwhelmed. Getting the idea that I need to be a CSS genius!
Firstly, do I create the header (logo and menu) in one of the pages, do I create it as an element. Do I need to create a child theme in order for header created (logo and menu) to be available across all pages. Finding lack of information at basic level, too much at advanced.
Am I correct in thinking that I can build a site entirely using elements and not worry about Parent and Child themes?

[David]

Hi there,

is there a specific design you want to achieve ?
An example site that you have for reference maybe ?

[Nigel]

Hi David, I’m not a WordPress developer, was attracted to GP because of small code and flexibility. But had an alert in WP telling me that I should really be using a child theme, and that it could be messy if I don’t. I would rather just have full flexibility, is this achieved with Elements?
Can you tell me how I go about setting up a menu for desktop and mobile that once created, can be left alone. Do I need to do this in the ‘Parent’, and how do I get into the ‘Parent’ to edit the site header (logo and menu)?
Am I able to create my own theme using ‘Elements’?

[Leo]

Hi Nigel,

But had an alert in WP telling me that I should really be using a child theme, and that it could be messy if I don’t. I would rather just have full flexibility, is this achieved with Elements?

This question simply isn’t possible for us to answer without any ideas about what you are trying to build.

If you are not a WordPress developer and don’t plan on modifying the core files of the parent theme then a child theme is likely not needed.

Can you answer David’s question first so we can provide better pointers?

is there a specific design you want to achieve ?
An example site that you have for reference maybe ?

Or have you considered starting with a site library template?
https://generatepress.com/site-library/

[Nigel]

Hi there Leo,
From what I’ve seen if the parent theme is customised, then new releases of WP can wipe out all the styling – is that correct can you tell me?
In terms of the site, it’s just a site for my web app production business, so basically pages with different categories of work we do, with punchy home page.
I’ve downloaded the GP Child theme, and as I understand it, this child theme will contain all my styling?

[Leo]

From what I’ve seen if the parent theme is customised, then new releases of WP can wipe out all the styling – is that correct can you tell me?

That depends on what customization you are referring to. The customizer settings will be saved through updates.

I believe this article has some answers you are looking for: https://docs.generatepress.com/article/using-child-theme/

[Nigel]

Hi Leo, so am I correct in thinking the GP Premium is actually the Parent theme?
Also, if yes, is it safe to edit this?

Note – I have added the ‘GP Child Theme’ now – which I presume I edit in order to create the website pages?

[Leo]

so am I correct in thinking the GP Premium is actually the Parent theme?
Also, if yes, is it safe to edit this?

No – GP Premium is a plugin that enhances the free GeneratePress theme:
https://docs.generatepress.com/article/generatepress-and-gp-premium/

You do not want to edit the plugin files.

Note – I have added the ‘GP Child Theme’ now – which I presume I edit in order to create the website pages?

No – by default the child theme is simply an empty file.

Pages and Posts are WP core features that are unrelated to the theme:
https://www.wpbeginner.com/beginners-guide/what-is-the-difference-between-posts-vs-pages-in-wordpress/

If you are unfamiliar with how WP works then it might be beneficial to go through some tutorials from wpbeginner.

[Nigel]

Leo, so GP is the theme, GP Premium is a plugin. WP warned me against directly editing the theme (GP) so again my question is it safe to edit the theme (GP), or am I better off creating a child theme and editing in this?

Alternatively, if I install one of the themes from the Site Library and edit that, is that a better way to work? Are these actually themes if GP is the theme? Totally baffled?

[Ying]

so again my question is it safe to edit the theme (GP), or am I better off creating a child theme and editing in this?

No, you are never supposed to edit the theme files.
You need to install a GP child theme in order to modify theme templates and add custom functions.

For more info: https://docs.generatepress.com/article/using-child-theme/

Alternatively, if I install one of the themes from the Site Library and edit that, is that a better way to work?

These are pre-built site templates, they are NOT themes or child themes.

[Nigel]

Hi Ying, so yes have installed a GP child theme and given it a name, am I correct in thinking that’s the best way to go. Or would I be better with one of the pre-built templates and editing that?

[Nigel]

What really threw me was that I’d set a page as the home page, then when I edited the logo and menu, it’ didn’t appear on the other pages. What had I done wrong can you tell me?

[Leo]

so yes have installed a GP child theme and given it a name, am I correct in thinking that’s the best way to go.

I would not change the name unless you have some specific reasons – it could cause some issues during updates.

And as I’ve mentioned before, unless you are planning to write lots of custom functions/CSS or modify the theme’s core files, there is no reason for you to use a child theme.

Or would I be better with one of the pre-built templates and editing that?

That completely depends on what you are trying to achieve (also mentioned before). If the site library template suits your liking then it’s definitely a good starting point.

What really threw me was that I’d set a page as the home page, then when I edited the logo and menu, it’ didn’t appear on the other pages. What had I done wrong can you tell me?

Please open a new topic for this separate question and link us to the page in question.

Thanks!

[Nigel]

Hi Leo, you’re really not giving me answers. One of the videos I watched for GP said that you download the child theme and edit that. In WordPress it gave me an alert and said that it was not good practice to work on the main theme, because when that gets updated, it could overwrite my styling. So, what’s the best way to work, edit Generate Press theme directly, or create a child theme and edit that? All I want to do is create a basic website.

[David]

Hi Nigel,

lets start from the top.

Child Themes

You can read the child theme docs here and in there it includes this link to a starter child theme

Download and install the child theme, and activate it.

What should you do with the Child Theme? Unless we or a developer you may hire says otherwise, don’t do anything with the child theme. But in the future you may need it for things such as installing local fonts, or adding a custom function or template. But for now just install it and activate. It won’t get in the way and its easier to add sooner than later.

GeneratePress Premium
Is a plugin that is installed in the plugins, and will only work of the free GP Theme is installed.
It adds a bunch of optional modules, that are located in Appearance > GeneratePress.

The list can be seen here in the sidebar nav:

https://docs.generatepress.com/collection/add-ons/

For a general build i would activate the following:

Disable Elements
Elements
Menu Plus
Spacing
Blog ( if you’re site will have blog posts )

The majority of these modules add features to the Theme Customizer.

Which is the place to start with customizing your site.

The Customizer

The Appearance > Customizer is where the brunt of the designing the overall style of your site is done.
The Free GP Theme comes with a few built in features such as:

Colors: https://docs.generatepress.com/article/global-colors-overview/
Typography: https://docs.generatepress.com/article/dynamic-typography-overview/

Those are two good places to start.

With the additional GP Premium modules active you will see more Customizer features.

But what we need to know next is what you want to do next ?
eg. build a menu, set up a blog, create a landing page etc

Let us know.

[Author]

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