Comprehensive Setup & Usage Guide for “SideHustle Starter” Website

Note: This documentation is intended for your clients’ own domain (e.g., start.your-domain.com). We include the All-in-One WP Migration plugin ZIP in your deliverables—install this version before importing. Do not use the free version from WordPress.org, as it enforces strict file size limits that may cause import failures.

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Table of Contents

1. Importing the Complete Site
2. Customizing Site Identity, Menus & Styles
3. Customizing Layout with Elementor Pro
4. Configuring WP Mail SMTP
5. Setting Up WPForms
6. Best Practices & Troubleshooting

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Importing the Complete Site

1. Install & Activate Migration Plugin
   • Navigate to Plugins → Add New → Upload Plugin in your WordPress dashboard.
   • Select the provided all-in-one-wp-migration.zip, click Install Now, then Activate.
2. Import Backup
   • Go to All-in-One WP Migration → Import → Import From → File.
   • Choose your .wpress backup file and click Proceed to overwrite existing content.
   • Wait for the import to complete.
3. Refresh Permalinks
   • Visit Settings → Permalinks, click Save Changes twice to regenerate rewrite rules.

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Customizing Site Identity, Menus & Styles

The site uses the Extendable theme. Customize branding via the WordPress Customizer.

Update Site Title & Logo

1. Appearance → Customize → Site Identity.
2. Set Site Title to “SideHustle Starter” and update Tagline as desired.
3. Upload a Site Logo (recommended 250×100px).
4. Click Publish.

Configure Menus

1. Appearance → Menus.
2. Select the Primary Menu, adjust items (Home, Start Here, Resources, Contact).
3. Enable Open in new tab for any external links if needed.
4. Click Save Menu.

WordPress Menus: https://wordpress.org/support/article/appearance-menus-screen/

Set Colors & Typography

1. Appearance → Customize → Global Settings (Extendable).
2. Under Color Palette, apply your brand’s primary and accent colors.
3. In Typography, set fonts and sizes for headings, body text, and buttons.
4. Click Publish.

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Customizing Layout with Elementor Pro

1. Ensure Elementor Pro is Active
   • Plugins → Installed Plugins → verify Elementor Pro is active.
2. Edit Theme Templates
   • Go to Templates → Theme Builder and customize Header, Footer, Single Post, and Archive layouts.
3. Use Extendable & Elementor Widgets
   • Drag Nav Menu, Logo, Button, Image Box, Call to Action, etc.
4. Global Site Settings
   • In Elementor, open Site Settings → Global Colors & Typography to maintain consistency.
   • Click Update on each template.

Elementor Pro Docs: https://elementor.com/help/

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Configuring WP Mail SMTP

Ensure reliable email delivery for contact forms and notifications.

1. Install & Activate
   • Plugins → Add New, search WP Mail SMTP by WPForms, click Install and Activate.
2. General Settings
   • Navigate to WP Mail SMTP → Settings.
   • From Email: noreply@start.your-domain.com
   • From Name: “SideHustle Starter”
   • Enable Force From Email/Name.
3. Configure Mailer
   • Select your SMTP provider (e.g., SMTP server, SendGrid, Mailgun).
   • Enter SMTP Host, Port (465/587), Encryption (SSL/TLS), Username, Password.
   • Click Save Settings.
4. Test Email
   • Use the Email Test tab to send a test message to your inbox.

WP Mail SMTP Docs: https://wpmailsmtp.com/docs/

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Setting Up WPForms

Use WPForms for general contact and lead capture.

1. Install & Activate
   • Plugins → Add New, search WPForms, click Install and Activate.
2. Create a Form
   • Navigate to WPForms → Add New, select a template (e.g., Simple Contact Form).
3. Configure Notifications
   • Under Settings → Notifications, set Send To Email Address to contact@start.your-domain.com.
   • Ensure From Name/Email match your SMTP setup.
4. Embed in Elementor
   • Drag the WPForms widget onto your desired page, select your form, and click Update.
   • Test submission and confirm email receipt.

WPForms Docs: https://wpforms.com/docs/

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Best Practices & Troubleshooting

• Backups: Regularly export full-site backups via All-in-One WP Migration.
• User Roles: Create Editor/Author accounts for your team.
• Plugin Updates: Keep WordPress core, theme, and plugins up-to-date.
• Analytics: Install Google Analytics to track visitor behavior and form conversions.
• Common Issues:
  • Import errors? Confirm the use of the provided migration plugin ZIP.
  • Email failures? Verify SMTP settings and test again.
  • Form not sending? Check WPForms notification configuration.

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Support: Email contact@narvoo.com for assistance.