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WordPress Dashboard & Settings

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Website & E‑Commerce Basics
This module introduces learners to the core concepts behind websites and online stores. Students explore how websites work (domains, hosting, CMS vs hosted platforms) and gain a clear understanding of different website and e-commerce models. The module covers foundational platforms such as WordPress, WooCommerce, and Shopify, including their purpose, strengths, and common use cases. Learners also review essential setup concepts like site structure, navigation, basic SEO, and store functionality.
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How Websites Work (domains, hosting)
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CMS vs Hosted Platforms
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Intro to WordPress & Shopify
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Types of Websites and Online Stores
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Domains, Hosting & Setup
This module explains the foundational components required to launch a website or online store. Learners explore how domain names work, how web hosting stores and delivers website content, and the role of DNS in connecting the two. The module also introduces hosting types, setup considerations, and basic installation workflows for platforms like WordPress and Shopify. By the end of the module, learners can confidently choose a domain, understand hosting options, and complete the initial setup needed to get a website online.
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Choosing a Domain Name
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Web Hosting Basics
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Installing WordPress (local & live)
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Creating a Shopify Account
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WordPress Dashboard & Settings
This module introduces learners to the WordPress admin dashboard and its core settings. Students explore the layout of the dashboard, key menu areas, and the purpose of essential settings such as site title, permalinks, user roles, reading, and discussion options. The module emphasizes how proper configuration affects site usability, SEO, and security. By the end of the module, learners can confidently navigate the WordPress dashboard and configure settings to support a well-structured, functional website.
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WordPress Dashboard & Settings
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WordPress Admin Overview
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Pages, Posts, Media
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Permalinks & User Roles
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Themes & Customization
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Block Editor vs Page Builders
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Using Elementor in WordPress
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Responsive Design Basics
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Backups, Updates & Security
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Shopify Platform Overview
This module introduces learners to Shopify as a leading hosted e-commerce platform. Students explore its key features, including store setup, themes, apps, and integrations, and understand how Shopify simplifies online selling for businesses of all sizes. By the end of the module, learners can explain Shopify’s functionality, identify its advantages, and determine when it is the right platform for an online store.
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Shopify Ecosystem
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Shopify vs WooCommerce
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Admin Dashboard Tour
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Themes & Customization
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Products & Collections
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Navigation & Pages
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SEO for Shopify
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Email & Social Selling
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Analytics & Reporting
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Launch & Maintenance
This module guides learners through the final steps of preparing, launching, and maintaining an online store. Students explore pre-launch checklists, performance testing, ongoing updates, backups, security, and routine maintenance for both Shopify and WordPress sites. The module emphasizes best practices for keeping stores secure, fast, and operational post-launch. By the end of the module, learners can confidently launch a website or store and implement a consistent maintenance routine to ensure long-term stability and growth.
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Pre‑launch Checklists
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Performance Testing
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Ongoing Maintenance (Shopify)
Ongoing Maintenance (WordPress)
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Website Security & Account Protection
By the end of this lesson, learners will understand why website security matters, how accounts get hacked, and how to protect websites and online accounts using simple, everyday tools like strong passwords and Two-Factor Authentication (2FA).
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What Is Website Security?
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Common Website Security Threats
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Password Security Basics
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Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)
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Website-Level Security Tools
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Everyday Security Habits
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Website Learning Lab

Module Overview

This lesson introduces learners to the WordPress dashboard, its key sections, and essential settings. Understanding the dashboard is crucial for managing content, customizing the site, and maintaining website security and performance.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this lesson, learners will be able to:

  • Navigate the WordPress dashboard

  • Identify key menu items and their purposes

  • Configure general and writing settings

  • Manage user accounts and permissions

  • Adjust reading, discussion, and permalink settings

  • Avoid common configuration mistakes

Lesson 1: The WordPress Dashboard Overview

The WordPress dashboard is the central control panel for your website, where you manage everything from content to design. Think of it like the “command center” of your site: on the left-hand menu, you’ll find sections to add new posts and pages, manage media like images and videos, customize your website’s appearance, install plugins for extra features, and handle user accounts. The main area of the dashboard often shows a quick overview of your site, including recent activity, updates, and site statistics. Even if you’re new to WordPress, spending time exploring the dashboard helps you understand where everything is and gives you the confidence to start building and managing your website.

  • Dashboard Home: Overview of your site’s activity, updates, and announcements

  • Updates: Manage core, theme, and plugin updates

  • Screen Options: Customize which dashboard widgets are visible

  • Help: Access WordPress support resources

Lesson 2: Key Menu Sections

  • Posts: Create and manage blog posts

  • Media: Upload and organize images, videos, and files

  • Pages: Add and edit static pages (About, Contact, Services)

  • Comments: Moderate user comments

  • Appearance: Customize themes, widgets, and menus

  • Plugins: Install, activate, and manage plugins

  • Users: Add new users and manage roles

  • Tools: Import/export content, site health checks

  • Settings: Configure general, writing, reading, discussion, media, and permalinks

Lesson 3: General Settings

  • Site Title & Tagline: Name and short description of your site

  • WordPress Address & Site Address: URL of your WordPress installation and website

  • Email Address: Admin email for notifications

  • Membership: Enable or disable user registration

  • Timezone, Date & Time Format: Set site’s timezone and display format

Lesson 4: Writing & Reading Settings

  • Writing: Default post category, post format, and mail settings for posting via email

  • Reading: Choose homepage display (static page or latest posts), blog pages display count, and search engine visibility

Lesson 5: Discussion & Media Settings

  • Discussion: Comment moderation, notifications, and avatar settings

  • Media: Set default image sizes for uploads

  • Permalinks: Customize URL structure for SEO-friendly links (e.g., Post name)

Lesson 6: User Management

  • Add users with specific roles (Administrator, Editor, Author, Contributor, Subscriber)

  • Edit existing user profiles and permissions

  • Strong password requirements and security considerations

Lesson 7: Common Dashboard Mistakes

  • Leaving default permalink settings (not SEO-friendly)

  • Ignoring updates for WordPress core, plugins, or themes

  • Assigning too many administrators

  • Neglecting site email and timezone settings

Practical Activity

  • Log into your WordPress dashboard.

  • Explore and identify key menu items.

  • Configure general settings (site title, email, timezone).

  • Set permalinks to “Post name.”

  • Optional: Create a new user with the Contributor role.

Key Takeaways

  • The dashboard is your main control panel for managing WordPress.

  • Configuring general, writing, reading, and permalink settings is essential for functionality and SEO.

  • Proper user management enhances security and collaboration.

  • Regularly updating WordPress core, plugins, and themes is critical for performance and security.

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