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Customizing Your StellarSites Website with KadenceWP

Estimated Reading Time: 4 min

KadenceWP is the design engine behind every site on the StellarSites platform, offering a code-free way to make your site truly yours. Whether you launched your site using the AI Site Wizard or chose to start from scratch, Kadence gives you full control over layout, colors, fonts, and content—all without touching a line of code.

This guide walks you through how to customize your site based on your starting point, including how to switch between templates and build your site from the ground up.

Using an AI-Generated Template #

If you built your site using the AI Site builder (also referred to as an AI Wizard!), congratulations—you’re starting with a pre-configured site tailored to your needs. The AI Site builder selected a layout, installed relevant plugins, and populated key content areas based on your answers.

You can begin customizing your AI-powered site right away:

  • Colors and Fonts: Go to Appearance > Customize > Colors & Fonts to change your site’s design system.
    A website customization interface showing the Kadence theme settings on the left, with options like 'Colors & Fonts' highlighted. On the right, a webpage design features the heading 'Elevate Your Events Online,' a subscription form, and a photo of a musician playing guitar on stage.
  • Layout Adjustments: Modify header, footer, and page layouts using Appearance > Customize.
    A website customization interface displaying options for header, footer, general settings, and posts/pages layout on the left. On the right, an image of a musician singing while playing an electric guitar on stage, surrounded by fog and moody lighting. The website promotes online event management with a subscription form for email addresses.
  • Content Editing: Use Kadence Blocks within the WordPress editor to update sections, duplicate layouts, or add new pages.
    A WordPress editing interface showing a page layout in progress, featuring a side panel with 'Kadence Blocks' options, including Row Layout, Accordion, and Gallery. The main content area displays a highlighted section with a pop-up menu for text editing, including options to copy, cut, duplicate, and delete elements.

Installing a Starter Template (If You Didn’t Use the AI Site Wizard) #

If you purchased a plan without using the AI Site Wizard, you’ll be greeted with a blank but optimized WordPress site. To jumpstart your build:

  • Go to Site Assist > Starter Templates > Use Classic Starter Templates
    A website interface showing a selection of starter templates for building webpages, with options displayed on a control panel on the left and template previews on the right. A dropdown menu near the top right corner shows editing options including Kadence AI and Block Editor.
  • Browse the curated templates tailored for eCommerce, courses, nonprofits, events, and more.
    A WordPress dashboard displaying a "Starter Templates" section with various website templates available for selection. The user has filtered the templates by "Ecommerce." The screen includes templates named CloudSprout, Kind Cotton, and VitalVibe, each showcasing a different website design. A side menu with options like Posts, Media, Pages, and more is visible on the left.
  • Select your desired template and apply it to your site.

This installs demo content, layouts, and style settings, all ready for your customization.

Once you’ve selected your Starter Template you can start customizing the site’s general settings (think: fonts, colors, headers, footers) under Appearance > Customize.

Next, choose Edit Page on any of your importer template pages to begin editing the template using Kadence Blocks. 

Switching from an AI Template a new Starter Template #

Maybe the AI-generated layout isn’t quite what you had in mind. No problem! You can switch to a new AI Starter Template or Classic Starter Template:

  • Go to Appearance > Starter Templates.
  • You’ll first see all Kadence AI generated Starter Templates. You can choose from one of these or switch to the “Block Editor” to see Classic Starter Templates.
    A website interface showing a selection of starter templates for building webpages, with options displayed on a control panel on the left and template previews on the right. A dropdown menu near the top right corner shows editing options including Kadence AI and Block Editor.
  • Select and apply a new template. Be aware: this will override your current content and design, so back up your site first.

Update the AI Wizard #

If you’ve used the AI wizard but want to update your AI content:

  • Go to your WordPress Dashboard > Site Assist
  • Click Step 2 under AI Starter Site > Set up Site AI Profile > Set Up
    A website dashboard showing a list of tasks under "Things to do next," including "Set up Site AI Profile," which is highlighted in green. The sidebar menu includes options like Dashboard, StellarSites, Posts, and more. A preview of a website featuring a musician playing guitar is on the right.
  • You’ll see the information you already entered, but you can replace or update each section as you see fit
    Interface showcasing Kadence AI for creating websites, featuring a text introduction on the left and various website design templates on the right, each with different layouts and themes.

Refreshing Your AI Build (Start from Scratch) #

Want to start fresh with a new AI-generated site? If you’ve already used the AI wizard, just remove the existing site from your cart before you check out.

If you’ve already checked out but decided you don’t want the AI generated site for some reason, reach out to StellarSites support, and the team will help to get your site back to a blank slate.

NOTE: StellarSites manages licensing for several premium plugins automatically. If you use third-party tools like the WP Reset plugin, those licenses may be wiped out, making it harder to restore your full StellarSites benefits.

No worries, though, our support team is happy to help you restore your site in a way that keeps all your licensed features intact.

Building From Scratch Without a Template #

Prefer to do it all yourself? StellarSites fully supports that, too.

  • Start with the blank WordPress install provided.
  • Use Kadence Blocks to build layouts from the ground up.
    WordPress editor with Kadence Blocks options on the left, showing different block options like Row Layout, Section, Accordion, Gallery, and more. The main area prompts to "Add title" and "Type / to choose a block."
  • Customize global styles via Appearance > Customize.
    Webpage showing a customization panel with options such as colors, header, and layout on the left, and a subscription section with a heading "Elevate Your Events Online" and an email sign-up form on the right next to an image of a musician performing on stage.
  • Add custom pages, headers, and sections using drag-and-drop blocks.

Kadence gives you everything you need to create a professional-grade site from scratch, no design experience required.

Wrapping Up #

No matter how you start, StellarSites and KadenceWP give you unmatched flexibility and control. Whether you stick with your AI-generated layout, choose a Starter Template, or build from a blank canvas, you’ll have a fast, beautiful, and business-ready site that grows with you.

Need help making changes or exploring new layouts? The support team is always here to help.