3. Getting Started with GeneratePress Pro Theme

GeneratePress Premium is a highly useful theme used to style and customise your site in ways the base Appearence Settings can't. If you're using our maintenance package at Encode, we've already taken care of the installation and plugin activation for you. This guide walks you through the initial setup steps to begin designing your site using GeneratePress Pro.

Activating GeneratePress Modules

Once GeneratePress and the GP Premium plugin are installed and activated, the first step is to enable the modules that give you access to additional functionality.

Access the GeneratePress Modules

To activate the modules

1. Log into your WordPress dashboard.
2. Go to Appearance > GeneratePress.
3. You'll see the below list of available modules, select the ones you'd like to use.

GeneratePress Modules

• Backgrounds
  Allows you to set background images for various HTML elements throughout your site, such as sections, headers, or footers.

• Blog
  Unlocks advanced blog layout options including infinite scroll, masonry layout, and featured image positioning. Perfect for improving the presentation of blog archives and single posts.

• Copyright
  Enables you to set a custom copyright message in the footer of your site — ideal for brand consistency and legal protection.

• Disable Elements
  Lets you hide default theme elements (like headers, navigation, titles, or footers) on specific pages or templates, providing greater design control.

• Elements
  This powerful module introduces the GeneratePress Theme Builder, allowing you to add custom layouts, advanced hook elements, and display rules.

• Font Library
  Gives you access to locally hosted Google Fonts, improving performance and GDPR compliance.

• Menu Plus
  Adds features like sticky navigation, off-canvas menus, and mobile headers to enhance your site's usability across all devices.

• Secondary Nav
  Allows you to add a second navigation area to your site, great for secondary menus or utility links.

• Site Library
  Grants access to a collection of professionally designed starter sites that can be imported and customised.

• Spacing
  Provides fine-grained control over padding and margins across your site, ensuring consistency and precision in layout spacing.

• WooCommerce
  Adds custom layout, colour, and typography options specifically for WooCommerce stores, helping you maintain design consistency with your main site.

At Encode, we typically recommend activating the Blog, Copyright, Disable Elements, Elements, Font Library, Menu Plus, and Spacing modules, as these provide the best foundation for a clean, high-performing, and customisable site. If your website includes an online store, we also suggest enabling the WooCommerce module to maintain visual and functional consistency across your shop pages.

Customising Your Theme

Once your preferred modules are enabled, you can begin tailoring your site's appearance to match your brand.

Open the Customiser

1. From the dashboard, go to Appearance > Customise.
2. This opens the WordPress Customiser, where you can adjust your theme settings in real-time.

Key Customisation Areas

Here are a few essential areas to configure:

Conclusion

GeneratePress Pro offers a user-friendly but powerful way to control your WordPress site's look and feel. By activating the right modules and exploring the WordPress Customiser, you'll be well on your way to building a fast, responsive, and beautifully branded website.

If you're using Encode's maintenance service, rest assured we've already set the foundation — all that's left is to personalise your site to your liking. And if you need help, the EncodeDotHost support team is always here to guide you.

Now you're ready to make the most of GeneratePress Pro and start building a site that works for you.