The Reign Theme is a versatile and powerful tool for creating beautiful websites. By combining it with Elementor, one of the most popular page builders for WordPress, you can take your site customization to the next level. This guide will walk you through customizing headers, footers, and page layouts using Elementor while offering tips for creating engaging designs tailored to your audience.
Why Use Elementor with the Reign Theme?
Elementor’s drag-and-drop interface and advanced customization options make it an excellent companion for the Reign Theme. With Elementor, you can:
- Build custom headers and footers.
- Design landing pages and blog templates.
- Customize pages for community-driven platforms.
- Leverage Reign’s pre-built templates for faster design.
Additionally, the Reign Theme comes with four header options that are perfect for community-focused websites. Using Elementor, you can further customize these headers to meet your specific needs.
Step 1: Install and Set Up Elementor
- Install Elementor
- From your WordPress dashboard, navigate to Plugins > Add New.
- Search for “Elementor” and click Install Now, then Activate.
- Install Elementor Pro (Optional)
- For advanced features like the Theme Builder, consider upgrading to Elementor Pro.
- Download and upload the Elementor Pro plugin, then activate it with your license key.
- Optimize Elementor for Speed
- Load Elementor only on specific sections of your site where it is required. Go to Elementor Settings > General, and ensure that Elementor is enabled only for necessary post types (e.g., Pages or specific Templates). Avoid enabling it for all post types, as this can slow down your site.
- Use caching plugins like WP Rocket or W3 Total Cache to further improve site speed.
Step 2: Customizing the Header with Reign and Elementor
- Select a Reign Header Option
- The Reign Theme provides four header styles. To choose a style, go to Appearance > Customize > Header Settings.
- Options include:
- Standard header with navigation.
- Compact header for minimalist designs.
- Header with logo and menu alignment.
- Community-focused header with social links.
- Use Elementor to Customize Your Header
- Go to Templates > Theme Builder in Elementor.
- Select Add New and choose Header as the template type.
- Use Elementor’s widgets to add:
- Navigation menus.
- Logo and site title.
- Search bars or community-specific links.
- Social media icons.
- Customize fonts, colors, and alignment to match your site’s branding.
- Assign the Header
- Once your header design is complete, click Publish.
- Set display conditions (e.g., entire site, specific pages).
Step 3: Customizing the Footer with Elementor
- Create a Footer Template
- Navigate to Templates > Theme Builder and choose Footer.
- Add widgets for:
- About Us sections.
- Contact forms.
- Social media links.
- Copyright and privacy policies.
- Design the Footer Layout
- Use Elementor’s drag-and-drop widgets to structure your footer.
- For community sites, include links to forums, member directories, and support pages.
- Publish and Assign the Footer
- Click Publish and set display conditions for the footer.
Step 4: Creating Blog and Landing Page Templates
- Design a Blog Template
- Go to Templates > Theme Builder and select Single Post.
- Use Elementor widgets to create a custom layout for your blog posts. For example:
- Add a hero image section.
- Use post title, meta information, and author widgets.
- Include related posts and a call-to-action for community engagement.
- Save and assign the template to all blog posts.
- Create a Landing Page
- From your dashboard, go to Pages > Add New and select Edit with Elementor.
- Use Elementor’s pre-built blocks and widgets to design a stunning landing page. For instance:
- Highlight features of your community platform.
- Add a membership sign-up section.
- Include testimonials and interactive elements.
- Optimize for Mobile
- Use Elementor’s responsive editing tools to ensure your templates look great on all devices.
Tips for Community-Driven Customizations
- Header Customization: Use the Reign header options that come with social links and a user-friendly navigation menu to create a sense of community.
- Footer Customization: Include quick links to forums, user profiles, and support pages for easy navigation.
- Blog Pages: Encourage community participation by integrating comment sections and user profiles in your blog layout.
- Landing Pages: Focus on calls-to-action like “Join Now” or “Become a Member” to drive engagement.
Examples of Customization
Custom Header Example
A custom header with a centered logo, primary navigation menu, and a login button for community members. Use Elementor’s widgets to add icons for social media and direct links to member directories.
Blog Template Example
A blog template featuring a hero image at the top, followed by the post title and author details. Use a sidebar for recent posts and community discussions.
Landing Page Example
A visually engaging landing page with testimonials, key features, and a prominent call-to-action button for new users to join the community.
Final Thoughts
Using Elementor with the Reign Theme allows you to create a highly customized and visually appealing website. Whether it’s a community-driven platform or a content-focused site, you can design headers, footers, and page templates that resonate with your audience. To maintain good site speed, ensure Elementor is only loaded on required sections and avoid enabling it globally for all post types. Take advantage of Elementor’s intuitive tools and Reign’s built-in options to build a site that stands out and engages your visitors effectively.
Interesting Reads:
Step-by-Step Guide to Setting Up the Reign Theme
How to Create a Membership Site That Converts
Top Tips for Selling Courses Online with LearnDash and Reign
