MODULE 5 OF 8 · 60–90 minutes
Connect the pages
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LESSON 5.1
Build the site navigation
Your goal: Create a small menu with reliable destinations.
Navigation is part of the website’s interface. Keep the main menu short and name destinations clearly. In a block theme, edit the Navigation block in the Header through the Site Editor. Choose existing pages when possible, so you are less likely to mistype a URL. Check the whole destination when adding a custom link.
See it in practice
Add Home, Services and Contact in that order. A logo or site title can also link to Home, but the other links still need understandable labels. Configure the mobile menu controls offered by the Navigation block. Save the navigation and template part when the editor lists both.
Try a small change
Visit each link on the public practice site. Use Tab, Enter and Escape to open, follow and close the mobile navigation where supported.
What should happen, and why?
A menu is useful only when its links work and its controls can be operated. A correct-looking editor preview is not enough.
LESSON 5.2
Choose the front page
Your goal: Connect the site root to your intended Home page.
Settings → Reading determines whether the home address shows recent posts or a static page. For this small business website, select a static page and choose Home. If you want a news section, create a separate empty News page and assign it as the posts page. Do not assign the same page to both roles.
See it in practice
A theme’s Front Page template can override the layout seen at the root. If your Home content seems missing, inspect both Reading settings and that template. Permalinks control content URLs. On an established live site, changing URL structure needs a redirect plan; use your practice installation for experiments.
Try a small change
Assign Home as the front page, open the root address in a new tab and follow its menu to Services and back.
What should happen, and why?
You have tested the actual entry path visitors use. The name “Home” alone does not make a page the front page.
GUIDED BUILD
Put the lesson to work.
- Publish your fictional practice pages and create the three-link navigation.
- Assign the Home page in Reading settings and inspect the root address.
- Check all menu links and the narrow-screen menu using only the keyboard.
Check your work
These are your own practice confirmations. We do not inspect your external WordPress site.
BREAK / FIX
Find the cause. Check the repair.
The Home link opens the right page, but entering the bare site address still shows recent posts.
Reproduce this only on a disposable practice copy if it is safe. Otherwise explain the diagnosis and recovery steps in your notes.
Hint 1 — Where to look
Check the setting for what the home address displays.
Hint 2 — The principle
A page title does not assign the front-page role.
Hint 3 — Explained repair
In Settings → Reading, select a static page and assign Home. Save, then reload the root address. If the layout still differs, inspect the Front Page template.
CHECK YOUR UNDERSTANDING
Five questions. As many tries as you need.
Get at least four correct. After checking, read the explanations and try again. All six practice checks and a passing quiz complete this module.
Keep these references
Official documentation. Screen labels can differ by theme and WordPress version.