Category: WordPress & Theme Customisation
Audience: Clients of Thomas McKee Website Design & SEO Solutions who wish to make safe text, image, or layout edits to their own websites.
Goal: Provide step-by-step instructions for editing WordPress content without harming layout, design, or SEO.
One advantage of owning a WordPress website built by Thomas McKee Website Design & SEO Solutions is control. You can update your own content — adding new text, photos, or announcements — whenever you like.
However, WordPress powers your business website, not just a blog. A misplaced edit can affect appearance or performance. This guide explains how to safely update pages, understand WordPress structure, preview changes, and maintain professional consistency.
Before editing, it helps to know the three main content types.
| Type | Purpose | Typical Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Pages | Static, timeless content | Home, About Us, Services, Contact |
| Posts | Dated entries in a blog/news section | Articles, News, Tips |
| Widgets / Blocks | Reusable content elements | Footer text, sidebar contact box |
Each serves a different role. Editing is safe when you work within these structures instead of modifying system files or theme templates.
Enter your username and password.
Click Log In.
Once inside, you’ll see the Dashboard — WordPress’s control center.
Key menu items:
Pages → All Pages – lists every static page.
Posts → All Posts – for blog entries.
Media – holds images and documents.
Appearance → Menus / Widgets – controls navigation and sidebars.
If we built your site with Elementor or WPBakery, you may see those editors listed here as well.
Most new websites use the Block Editor (Gutenberg). Each paragraph, image, or heading is a “block.”
Go to Pages → All Pages.
Hover over the page title.
Click Edit.
Click inside a text block and type directly.
Use the mini toolbar above the block for bold, italic, links, or lists.
Click the image.
Select Replace → Upload (to add a new file) or Media Library (to reuse one).
Always fill the ALT Text field with a brief description for accessibility and SEO.
Click the + icon to insert headings, paragraphs, images, buttons, or columns.
Use drag-and-drop or the up/down arrows in the left toolbar to move content.
Click Preview → Preview in new tab.
Never skip this step — it ensures formatting remains consistent across desktop and mobile.
| Action | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Save Draft | Stores changes privately — not live yet |
| Update | Replaces existing live page with your edits |
| Publish | Makes a new page or post live for the first time |
If something looks wrong:
Go to the Revisions panel in the right sidebar.
Compare previous versions.
Click Restore This Revision to roll back safely.
Go to Appearance → Menus.
Select the correct menu (e.g., Main Menu).
Add, reorder, or remove items.
Click Save Menu.
Tip: Avoid renaming URLs here. Only change link labels unless instructed otherwise.
Good content changes shouldn’t cost search visibility.
Keep your page titles consistent with their original keyword intent.
Avoid deleting pages — use redirects instead.
Preserve H1/H2 headings structure.
Add internal links between related pages.
Optimize new images (under 150 KB, ALT tags included).
If you have the Yoast SEO or Rank Math plugin installed, verify the green “readability” and “SEO” indicators before updating.
Some sections (like contact banners or testimonials) are Global Blocks.
Editing them changes every page where they appear.
When in doubt, contact our support team before modifying any block labeled Global or Template Part.
Go to Media → Add New or upload directly within a block.
Use descriptive filenames: springfield-roofing-project.jpg.
Keep dimensions around 1200×800 px for hero images; smaller for others.
Remove outdated uploads occasionally to save storage and improve performance.
If your site uses Elementor or WPBakery, some content lives inside those builders.
You’ll notice buttons like Edit with Elementor or Backend Editor.
Only open these editors when instructed — they control layout structure beyond basic WordPress blocks.
Separate articles in this same category explain those builders in detail.
Editing in mobile preview only — always test desktop too.
Deleting a block instead of hiding it (use Undo).
Pasting text from Word without clearing formatting.
Replacing images without optimizing size.
Ignoring the Preview step.
When unsure, save as a draft and contact support before publishing.
We design each website with specific colors, fonts, and spacing.
To preserve brand identity:
Use existing Heading Styles (H1, H2, H3).
Match colors from your style guide or Global Settings.
Maintain uniform button shapes and CTA wording.
These small details keep your site professional and cohesive.
Don’t install new plugins unless approved.
Limit use of large background videos.
Log out after editing, especially on shared computers.
Clear browser cache if updates don’t appear.
Keep WordPress and plugins updated — or stay on our maintenance plan.
Reach out if you notice:
Layouts shifting or overlapping after edits.
Broken forms, buttons, or animations.
Slow loading after image uploads.
Error messages in the Dashboard.
We can usually resolve issues the same day.
✅ Log in via secure URL (/wp-admin)
✅ Always Preview Before Updating
✅ Keep text edits simple and consistent
✅ Optimize images and add ALT text
✅ Never delete essential pages
✅ Back up major changes
✅ Follow your brand style guide
Q: Can I edit my website from a phone or tablet?
Yes, but desktop is recommended for accuracy.
Q: How do I undo a mistake?
Use the Revisions tool or contact us for a rollback.
Q: Will editing affect my SEO?
Not if you maintain headings, titles, and URLs as explained above.
Q: Can I add new pages myself?
Yes, but let us review them to ensure proper formatting and menu linking.
Q: What if I see the message “This block contains unexpected or invalid content”?
Click Attempt Block Recovery. If formatting breaks, discard the change and contact support.
Editing your WordPress site is simple once you understand where content lives and how to preview changes safely.
At Thomas McKee Website Design & SEO Solutions, our goal is to give you control without risk.
Use this guide as your reference for day-to-day edits. For larger structural or design changes, our support team is only a message away — ready to keep your website consistent, secure, and performing flawlessly.