How to Convert from Container to Column WordPress
WordPress has cemented itself as one of the most popular content management systems for web design due to the flexibility it offers in terms of both design and optimization. However, to truly take advantage of WordPress and its many benefits, you must be willing to make necessary changes. One of such changes is converting from container to column WordPress. Let’s explore how to make this process seamless.
Understanding Container and Column Design
Container and column design are two design concepts used in web development. A container is a block of content that contains multiple elements; a column, on the other hand, is a type of layout that allows content to be placed side-by-side.
While containers are great for managing multiple elements in a single section of a website, column design offers even more flexibility and customization options, which explains the surge in popularity of column design in recent years.
Some common situations where converting from container to column can be necessary, include a need for a more streamlined content layout, better website responsiveness, and the need for better website optimization.
Pre-Conversion Steps
Before converting your WordPress website from container to column, there are necessary steps to take to ensure the process goes smoothly and doesn’t affect your website’s usability and functionality.
Firstly, back up your website. Backing up your website ensures that in case anything goes wrong, you can easily revert your website to a previous version. Secondly, choose a new theme and test it before making any changes to your website. Once you are satisfied with your new theme, disable unnecessary plugins to enhance website performance and speed. Finally, create a staging environment to test the new changes before launching them on your website.
The 7-Step Process to Convert from Container to Column
Converting from container to column is a step-by-step process that can be completed in seven easy steps. This is the process:
1. Installing and Activating a New Theme
The first step is to install and activate a new theme on your website. This new theme should have column design functionality as well as the ability to create custom sidebars. Some popular themes that offer users this functionality include GeneratePress, Divi, and Beaver Builder.
2. Creating a Child Theme
Once you have installed your new theme, the next step is to create a child theme by following your theme’s documentation guide. This will allow you to customize your theme while ensuring that the parent theme is not affected.
3. Editing the New Theme’s CSS
Next is to edit the CSS of your new theme to customize it. You can do this by accessing the Theme Editor located within your WordPress dashboard. By editing the CSS, you can change font sizes, borders, colors, and layout styles.
4. Moving Widgets to the Sidebar Area
After editing the CSS of your new theme, move widgets to your sidebar area. You can move your widgets by accessing the Widgets section of your WordPress dashboard.
5. Creating a Custom Sidebar
At this stage, you need to create a custom sidebar that matches the look of your website. This can be easily done by using widgets or a plugin like Custom Sidebars.
6. Adding Custom CSS
After creating a custom sidebar, you can add custom CSS to further customize your website. Custom CSS allows you to make further changes to your website to create a unique look and feel for your website.
7. Testing Your New Design
The final step is to test your new design. Visit the staging environment to ensure your website looks the way you want it to. Once you are satisfied, launch the changes to your website.
Benefits of Converting from Container to Column
Converting from container to column design offers many benefits, including:
Improved Website Performance and Speed
Column design improves website performance and speed. By optimizing website code and reducing page load times, column design allows your website to perform better and add value to your site visitors.
Enhanced User Experience and Navigation
Column design offers enhanced user experience and navigation. Customizing your website’s design to create columns makes it easy for website visitors to navigate and access content without scrolling through long pages to find what they need.
More Customization and Flexibility
Converting from container to column allows for more customization and flexibility. Column design allows you to organize your content into columns that are tailor-made to your website visitors’ needs, offering a better user experience.
Better Compatibility with Different Devices and Platforms
Finally, column design offers better compatibility with different devices and platforms. With a responsive design, your website will adapt to different devices, screens, and platforms (desktops, laptops, tablets, and smartphones).
Conclusion
Making the switch from container to column design in WordPress is a step towards optimizing your website for better performance and user experience. With seven easy steps, you can convert from container to column design and take advantage of the many benefits that come with column design.
If you are struggling to make the switch, consult with WordPress professionals or take advantage of the many resources available to WordPress users, including tutorials, forums, and documentation.
