Why Build a Child Theme?
You've got an existing theme,
that theme gets automatic updates,
but you need to make modifications
What Is a Child Theme?
A small set of custom theme files
that relies on another theme
but adds or overrides templates or styles
How Do I Make a Child Theme?
- Install the parent theme you want to modify
- Create a new theme folder for your child theme
- Add the necessary files
Child Theme Necessary Files
style.css
functions.php
Child Theme: style.css
Template: twentysixteen
The “Template” is the folder name of the parent theme.
Start writing your CSS overrides below.
What About the Parent's Styles?
Create your child theme's functions.php
<?php
add_action( 'wp_enqueue_scripts', 'enqueue_parent_styles' );
function enqueue_parent_styles() {
wp_enqueue_style( 'parent-style',
get_template_directory_uri().'/style.css' );
}
?>
Don't use CSS @import.
Adding Google Web Fonts to a Child Theme
Adding Google Web Fonts to a Child Them
Added to functions.php
<?php
add_action( 'wp_enqueue_scripts', 'enqueue_google_fonts' );
function enqueue_google_fonts() {
wp_dequeue_style( 'twentyfifteen-fonts-css' );
wp_enqueue_style( 'google-fonts',
'//fonts.googleapis.com/css?family=Lato:400,400italic,700,700italic|Merriweather:400,400italic,700,700italic' );
}
?>
Sdding Google Web Fonts to a Child Theme
Add to style.css
body {
font-family: Lato;
}
h1, h2 {
font-family: Merriweather;
}
Override Anything You Like
WordPress has a set way of naming template files for any kind of content a theme or plugin can create.
If you use any filenames that match the WP naming convention, you'll override the parent theme's files.
Template File Names
Single Post: “Intermediate WordPress”
single-post.php
single.php
singular.php
index.php
Template File Names
Post Category = /music/
category-music.php
category.php
archive.php
index.php
Template File Names
Single Page: “Contact Me” (id = 38)
page-contact-me.php
page-38.php
page.php
singular.php
index.php
Template File Names
Post Type Archive = /events/
archive-events.php
archive.php
index.php
Template File Names
Post Type Single = /events/
single-events.php
single.php
singular.php
index.php
WordFence Security
WordFence Security
Best security with the least set-up work
Scan site for vulnerabilities / compromises
WordFence Security Plugin
iThemes Security
iThemes Security
A lot more work up front, but more configurable
Plays nicer with certain other plugins
iThemes Security
BackWPUp Free
BackWPUp Free
Schedule backups of your database & files
Store backups on Dropbox, Google Drive, or Amazon S3
Pro Version: $75
BackWPUp Plugin | BackWPUp Pro
WP Remote
WP Remote
Update all your WP sites from 1 dashboard
WP Remote
W3 Total Cache
W3 Total Cache
Create cached copies of all your site pages
Minify and concatenate your scripts & styles
W3 Total Cache Plugin
WP Super Cache
WP Super Cache
Less complex than W3 Total Cache
Just caching, not minifying / concatenating
Maintained by Automattic
WP Super Cache
EWWW Image Optimizer
EWWW Image Optimizer
Works in the background to compress all images upoaded to the site
Bulk optimizes existing images
EWWW Image Optimizer
Yoast SEO
Yoast SEO
Customize post / page titles and meta for search engines
Scan content for target search terms
Yoast SEO Plugin
Google Analytics by Yoast
Google Analytics by Yoast
Authenticate through Google, or paste your tracking number
Automatically adds GA code to all posts/pages
Google Analytics by Yoast
Helpful WordPress Plugins
Forms
Custom Content
Styles
Sales
Formidable Forms
Other Forms
Gravity Forms
Similar features to Formidable Pro, cost $40
Gravity Forms
Contact Form 7
Super “simple,” but not accessible at all
Types (and Views)
Types
Create custom post types and taxonomies
Create custom fields for post types and taxonomies
Types
Views
Separate, paid upgrade from same developers
Create custom template pages without writing PHP
Part of a $150 plugin package
Views
Advanced Custom Fields
Advanced Custom Fields
Create custom field groups and attach them to any piece of content
Requires PHP knowledge to build custom templates
Pro Version: $25
Advanced Custom Fields | ACF Pro
Captain Typekit
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Paste a Typekit kit ID
It automatically adds the Typekit JS to your site
Captain Typekit
Google Web Font Customizer
WooCommerce
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Custom online store management
Display and sell products (physical or digital)
Basic store functionality is free, but many paid upgrades
WooCommerce
