WordPress-How to Use Website Templates

Owned by Thomas Rose-Bolden
Jul 11, 2024
2 min read

View current templates here: CDA.org Webpage Templates

Our website templates were designed to:

  • Increase consistency across pages

  • Reduce page design time

  • Help users understand where to find common types of information

This is an overview of how to use templates when creating or modifying a webpage.

1. Create a new page (if needed)

Information on how: WordPress-Adding New Pagesarchived

2. Select appropriate page template

  1. Primary (level 1): Campaign pages or major section landing pages (CDA Presents landing page)

  2. Secondary (level 2): A topic or catalog page (Resource Library, newsroom category)

  3. Tertiary (level 3): A more text-heavy page such as a details page, individual article or resource, or FAQ page

Regardless of page level, all pages should have certain content sections in the following order:

  • Header

  • Intro text, if needed

  • Primary page content

  • Supporting content

  • Footer content like FAQs, contact info, and legal or disclaimer information

Example above of how to structure a primary page.

3. Add Modules to Page

Information on how: https://californiadentalassociation.atlassian.net/wiki/pages/createpage.action?spaceKey=CWW&title=WordPress-Adding%202sxc%20Content%20Components%20to%20Pages&linkCreation=true&fromPageId=20177782188

4. Configure Modules

Select a header

Select a page header for the selected template. Each page must have 1 header and no more. Options are here: Headers

Example below: A header for a primary/level 1 page

Create Section 1

After the header, select the content components. Your first priority content will always go in Section 1. Options for this are outlined below.

Primary (Level 1) Content Components

Secondary (Level 2) Content Components

Tertiary (Level 3) Content Components

 

Example below: Section 1 for a primary page

Add a CTA (Call to Action)

If your page has a CTA, place this directly following Section 1 of your page.

Add Additional Sections

After the first section, additional sections leave more room for creativity and will depend on the content you are presenting. Do not add additional headers or footer components in this space.

 

Final Section: Footer Components

The following sections should be placed last on your page:

  • Footer news component

  • Contact info

  • Notes

  • Disclaimer

 

Footer Components

Example of footer components.