Understanding the Recipe Architecture

A recipe is a site template blueprint that defines:

• Site type and category
• Recommended theme(s)
• Essential plugins
• Page structure and content
• Menu navigation
• Branding options (colors, fonts)
• Custom form fields for data collection

Recipes combine JSON data files with PHP filters to create repeatable, automated site configurations.

Use Cases for Custom Recipes:

• Industry-specific templates (restaurants, law firms, medical practices)
• Client-specific standardized deployments
• Niche vertical markets
• White-label agency offerings
• Multi-site network templates

Learn about WordPress template hierarchy.

Recipe Storage Locations

LaunchPad looks for recipes in three locations (in priority order):

1. Plugin Recipe Directory (Core Recipes)

/wp-content/plugins/LaunchPad/recipes/
├── blog.json
├── business.json
└── portfolio.json

Use for: Core plugin recipes (not recommended to modify directly)

2. Theme Recipe Directory (Theme-Specific)

/wp-content/themes/your-theme/LaunchPad-recipes/
└── custom-recipe.json

Use for: Theme-bundled recipes that require specific theme features

3. PHP Filter (Dynamic Recipes)

add_filter( 'LaunchPad_custom_recipes', function( $recipes ) {
    $recipes['my-recipe'] = array( /* recipe data */ );
    return $recipes;
});

Use for: Programmatically generated recipes, plugin-provided recipes, or mu-plugin recipes

Recipe JSON Format

Here’s the complete structure of a recipe JSON file:

{
	"site_type": "business",
	"name": "Business Website",
	"description": "Professional business site with services, testimonials, and contact forms",
	"icon": "dashicons-building",
	"category": "business",
	"pro_only": false,
	"theme": "LaunchPad-bundle",
	"theme_options": [
		{
			"slug": "LaunchPad-bundle",
			"name": "LaunchPad Bundle",
			"description": "Professional bundled theme with 10 homepage sections",
			"recommended": true,
			"bundled": true,
			"preview_url": "",
			"rating": 5.0,
			"active_installs": 0
		}
	],
	"plugins": ["contact-form-7", "wordpress-seo"],
	"pages": ["home", "about", "services", "contact"],
	"menu_structure": [
		{
			"title": "Home",
			"page": "home",
			"order": 1
		},
		{
			"title": "About",
			"page": "about",
			"order": 2
		},
		{
			"title": "Services",
			"page": "services",
			"order": 3
		},
		{
			"title": "Contact",
			"page": "contact",
			"order": 4
		}
	],
	"branding": {
		"suggested_colors": ["#2563EB", "#1E40AF", "#60A5FA"],
		"font_pairs": [
			{
				"heading": "Inter",
				"body": "Inter"
			},
			{
				"heading": "Playfair Display",
				"body": "Lato"
			}
		]
	},
	"branding_fields": [
		{
			"id": "business_description",
			"label": "Business Description",
			"type": "textarea",
			"placeholder": "Describe what your business does...",
			"required": true,
			"rows": 3,
			"ai_hint": "Generate a compelling business description based on this input"
		}
	]
}

Recipe Field Reference

Top-Level Fields

site_type (string, required)

• Unique identifier for the recipe
• Lowercase, alphanumeric with hyphens only
• Example: "blog", "business", "restaurant"

name (string, required)

• Display name shown in wizard
• Human-readable, 2-4 words
• Example: "Restaurant Website"

description (string, required)

• Brief description of what the recipe creates
• 1-2 sentences
• Shown in recipe selection card
• Example: "Professional restaurant site with menu, reservations, and online ordering"

icon (string, required)

• WordPress Dashicon class
• Format: "dashicons-{icon-name}"
• Example: "dashicons-food"

category (string, required)

• Recipe category for filtering/grouping
• Options: "blog", "business", "portfolio", "ecommerce", "nonprofit", "other"

pro_only (boolean, required)

• Whether recipe requires Pro license
• true = Only available to Pro users
• false = Available to all users

theme (string, required)

• Default/recommended theme slug
• Must be valid WordPress.org theme slug or bundled theme
• Example: "LaunchPad-bundle", "twentytwentyfour"

theme_options Array

Array of theme objects representing available theme choices:

{
	"slug": "LaunchPad-bundle",
	"name": "LaunchPad Bundle",
	"description": "Professional theme with advanced customizer controls",
	"recommended": true,
	"bundled": true,
	"preview_url": "https://example.com/demo",
	"rating": 5.0,
	"active_installs": 1000
}

Fields:

• slug (string, required) – Theme directory name
• name (string, required) – Display name
• description (string, required) – Short description
• recommended (boolean) – Show “Recommended” badge
• bundled (boolean) – Included with plugin
• preview_url (string) – Live demo URL
• rating (float) – Star rating (0-5)
• active_installs (int) – Number of active installations

plugins Array

Array of plugin slugs to recommend/install:

"plugins": [
	"contact-form-7",
	"wordpress-seo",
	"jetpack",
	"wordfence"
]

Format:

• WordPress.org plugin directory slugs only
• Lowercase with hyphens
• Must be exact match to WordPress.org slug
• Max 10 plugins recommended per recipe

Validation:

• LaunchPad validates plugin existence via WordPress.org API
• Invalid slugs logged as warnings
• Missing plugins skipped during installation

pages Array

Array of page identifiers to generate:

"pages": [
	"home",
	"about",
	"services",
	"team",
	"contact",
	"privacy-policy"
]

Standard Page IDs:

• "home" – Homepage with template
• "about" – About page
• "services" – Services overview
• "contact" – Contact page with form
• "blog" – Blog listing page
• "portfolio" – Portfolio page
• "privacy-policy" – Privacy policy
• "terms" – Terms and conditions

Custom Pages: You can define custom page IDs and provide content templates via PHP filter (see below).

menu_structure Array

Defines navigation menu structure:

"menu_structure": [
	{
		"title": "Home",
		"page": "home",
		"order": 1,
		"parent": 0
	},
	{
		"title": "Services",
		"page": "services",
		"order": 2,
		"parent": 0,
		"children": [
			{
				"title": "Web Design",
				"page": "web-design",
				"order": 1
			}
		]
	}
]

Fields:

• title (string, required) – Menu item text
• page (string, required) – Page ID from pages array
• order (int) – Menu position (1-based)
• parent (int) – Parent menu item ID (0 = top level)
• children (array) – Nested submenu items

branding Object

Suggested branding options:

"branding": {
	"suggested_colors": [
		"#2563EB",
		"#1E40AF",
		"#60A5FA"
	],
	"font_pairs": [
		{
			"heading": "Inter",
			"body": "Inter"
		}
	]
}

suggested_colors (array)

• Array of hex color codes
• First color = primary
• Second color = primary variant
• Third color = accent

font_pairs (array)

• Array of font pairing objects
• heading (string) – Google Font name for headings
• body (string) – Google Font name for body text

branding_fields Array

Custom form fields for data collection:

"branding_fields": [
	{
		"id": "business_name",
		"label": "Business Name",
		"type": "text",
		"placeholder": "Enter your business name",
		"required": true,
		"default": "",
		"ai_hint": "Use this as the main business name throughout content"
	}
]

Field Types:

• "text" – Single-line text input
• "textarea" – Multi-line text area
• "email" – Email address input
• "url" – URL input with validation
• "tel" – Phone number input
• "number" – Numeric input
• "select" – Dropdown selection
• "checkbox" – Single checkbox
• "radio" – Radio button group

Field Attributes:

• id (string, required) – Unique field identifier (alphanumeric + underscores)
• label (string, required) – Field label text
• type (string, required) – Field type (see above)
• placeholder (string) – Placeholder text
• required (boolean) – Whether field is mandatory
• default (mixed) – Default value
• ai_hint (string) – Context for AI content generation (Pro)
• options (array) – Options for select/radio types
• min (int) – Minimum value for number type
• max (int) – Maximum value for number type
• rows (int) – Rows for textarea type

Example select field:

{
	"id": "business_type",
	"label": "Business Type",
	"type": "select",
	"required": true,
	"options": [
		{
			"value": "retail",
			"label": "Retail Store"
		},
		{
			"value": "service",
			"label": "Service Provider"
		},
		{
			"value": "restaurant",
			"label": "Restaurant"
		}
	],
	"ai_hint": "Tailor content based on business type"
}

Creating a Custom Recipe via PHP

Instead of JSON files, you can register recipes programmatically:

<?php
/**
 * Register custom restaurant recipe
 */
add_filter( 'LaunchPad_custom_recipes', function( $recipes ) {

	$recipes['restaurant'] = array(
		'site_type'   => 'restaurant',
		'name'        => 'Restaurant Website',
		'description' => 'Full-featured restaurant site with menu, reservations, and online ordering',
		'icon'        => 'dashicons-food',
		'category'    => 'business',
		'pro_only'    => false,

		'theme'       => 'LaunchPad-bundle',
		'theme_options' => array(
			array(
				'slug'           => 'LaunchPad-bundle',
				'name'           => 'LaunchPad Bundle',
				'description'    => 'Perfect for restaurants with menu sections',
				'recommended'    => true,
				'bundled'        => true,
			),
		),

		'plugins' => array(
			'contact-form-7',        // Contact forms
			'wordpress-seo',         // SEO
			'restaurant-reservations', // Booking system
			'wp-google-maps',        // Location map
		),

		'pages' => array(
			'home',
			'menu',
			'about',
			'reservations',
			'contact',
			'gallery',
		),

		'menu_structure' => array(
			array(
				'title' => 'Home',
				'page'  => 'home',
				'order' => 1,
			),
			array(
				'title' => 'Menu',
				'page'  => 'menu',
				'order' => 2,
			),
			array(
				'title' => 'Reserve',
				'page'  => 'reservations',
				'order' => 3,
			),
			array(
				'title' => 'About',
				'page'  => 'about',
				'order' => 4,
			),
			array(
				'title' => 'Contact',
				'page'  => 'contact',
				'order' => 5,
			),
		),

		'branding' => array(
			'suggested_colors' => array(
				'#DC2626', // Red
				'#B91C1C', // Dark Red
				'#FCA5A5', // Light Red
			),
			'font_pairs' => array(
				array(
					'heading' => 'Playfair Display',
					'body'    => 'Lato',
				),
				array(
					'heading' => 'Merriweather',
					'body'    => 'Open Sans',
				),
			),
		),

		'branding_fields' => array(
			array(
				'id'          => 'restaurant_name',
				'label'       => 'Restaurant Name',
				'type'        => 'text',
				'placeholder' => 'Your Restaurant Name',
				'required'    => true,
				'ai_hint'     => 'Primary restaurant name for branding',
			),
			array(
				'id'          => 'cuisine_type',
				'label'       => 'Cuisine Type',
				'type'        => 'select',
				'required'    => true,
				'options'     => array(
					array( 'value' => 'italian', 'label' => 'Italian' ),
					array( 'value' => 'asian', 'label' => 'Asian' ),
					array( 'value' => 'mexican', 'label' => 'Mexican' ),
					array( 'value' => 'american', 'label' => 'American' ),
					array( 'value' => 'other', 'label' => 'Other' ),
				),
				'ai_hint'     => 'Adjust content tone and vocabulary for cuisine type',
			),
			array(
				'id'          => 'restaurant_description',
				'label'       => 'Restaurant Description',
				'type'        => 'textarea',
				'placeholder' => 'Describe your restaurant, atmosphere, and specialty...',
				'required'    => true,
				'rows'        => 4,
				'ai_hint'     => 'Use this description to generate personalized hero and about content',
			),
			array(
				'id'          => 'phone_number',
				'label'       => 'Phone Number',
				'type'        => 'tel',
				'placeholder' => '(555) 123-4567',
				'required'    => true,
			),
			array(
				'id'          => 'address',
				'label'       => 'Restaurant Address',
				'type'        => 'textarea',
				'placeholder' => '123 Main St, City, ST 12345',
				'required'    => true,
				'rows'        => 2,
			),
		),
	);

	return $recipes;
});

When to use PHP vs. JSON:

• JSON: Simple, static recipes
• PHP: Dynamic recipes, conditional logic, complex customization

Custom Page Content Templates

Define custom content for your recipe pages:

<?php
/**
 * Provide custom page content for restaurant recipe
 */
add_filter( 'LaunchPad_page_content_template', function( $content, $page_id, $recipe_data ) {

	// Only for restaurant recipe
	if ( $recipe_data['site_type'] !== 'restaurant' ) {
		return $content;
	}

	// Get user-provided branding data
	$restaurant_name = isset( $recipe_data['branding']['restaurant_name'] )
		? $recipe_data['branding']['restaurant_name']
		: 'Our Restaurant';

	$description = isset( $recipe_data['branding']['restaurant_description'] )
		? $recipe_data['branding']['restaurant_description']
		: 'Welcome to our restaurant.';

	// Custom content for menu page
	if ( $page_id === 'menu' ) {
		$content = '
		<!-- wp:heading {"level":1} -->
		<h1>' . esc_html( $restaurant_name ) . ' Menu</h1>
		<!-- /wp:heading -->

		<!-- wp:paragraph -->
		<p>' . esc_html( $description ) . '</p>
		<!-- /wp:paragraph -->

		<!-- wp:heading {"level":2} -->
		<h2>Appetizers</h2>
		<!-- /wp:heading -->

		<!-- wp:list -->
		<ul>
			<li>Sample Appetizer 1 - $10</li>
			<li>Sample Appetizer 2 - $12</li>
			<li>Sample Appetizer 3 - $8</li>
		</ul>
		<!-- /wp:list -->

		<!-- wp:heading {"level":2} -->
		<h2>Main Courses</h2>
		<!-- /wp:heading -->

		<!-- wp:list -->
		<ul>
			<li>Sample Entree 1 - $25</li>
			<li>Sample Entree 2 - $28</li>
			<li>Sample Entree 3 - $22</li>
		</ul>
		<!-- /wp:list -->
		';
	}

	// Custom content for reservations page
	if ( $page_id === 'reservations' ) {
		$content = '
		<!-- wp:heading {"level":1} -->
		<h1>Make a Reservation</h1>
		<!-- /wp:heading -->

		<!-- wp:paragraph -->
		<p>Reserve your table at ' . esc_html( $restaurant_name ) . ' today!</p>
		<!-- /wp:paragraph -->

		<!-- wp:shortcode -->

<!– /wp:shortcode –> ‘; } return $content; }, 10, 3 );

Note: Content must use Gutenberg block markup.

Modifying Existing Recipes

You can modify core recipes without editing plugin files:

<?php
/**
 * Modify the Business recipe to add WooCommerce plugin
 */
add_filter( 'LaunchPad_recipe_data', function( $recipe_data ) {

	// Only modify business recipe
	if ( $recipe_data['site_type'] !== 'business' ) {
		return $recipe_data;
	}

	// Add WooCommerce to plugins list
	if ( ! in_array( 'woocommerce', $recipe_data['plugins'], true ) ) {
		$recipe_data['plugins'][] = 'woocommerce';
	}

	// Add Shop page
	if ( ! in_array( 'shop', $recipe_data['pages'], true ) ) {
		$recipe_data['pages'][] = 'shop';
	}

	// Add Shop to menu
	$recipe_data['menu_structure'][] = array(
		'title' => 'Shop',
		'page'  => 'shop',
		'order' => 5,
	);

	return $recipe_data;

}, 10, 1 );

Pro-Only Recipes

Create recipes that require a Pro license:

<?php
add_filter( 'LaunchPad_additional_pro_recipes', function( $pro_recipes ) {

	$pro_recipes['medical-practice'] = array(
		'site_type'   => 'medical-practice',
		'name'        => 'Medical Practice',
		'description' => 'HIPAA-compliant medical practice site with appointments',
		'icon'        => 'dashicons-heart',
		'category'    => 'business',
		'pro_only'    => true, // Only available to Pro users

		// ... rest of recipe configuration
	);

	return $pro_recipes;
});

Pro-only features:

• Browse WordPress.org themes/plugins
• Custom colors and fonts
• AI content generation
• Additional image uploads
• Empty site option

Validation and Error Handling

LaunchPad validates recipes on load:

Validation Checks:

• Required fields present
• Valid field types
• Valid page IDs
• Valid plugin slugs (via WP.org API)
• Valid theme slugs
• Proper array structures
• Valid color hex codes
• Valid Google Font names

Handling Validation Errors:

<?php
/**
 * Log validation errors for debugging
 */
add_action( 'LaunchPad_recipe_validation_error', function( $recipe_slug, $errors ) {

	error_log( sprintf(
		'Recipe validation failed for "%s": %s',
		$recipe_slug,
		implode( ', ', $errors )
	) );

}, 10, 2 );

Best Practices

1. Keep Plugins Minimal

• Max 5-6 plugins per recipe
• Only include essential plugins
• Avoid conflicting plugins
• Test plugin combinations

2. Provide Meaningful Branding Fields

• Collect data you’ll actually use
• Make labels clear and specific
• Include ai_hint for Pro users
• Set reasonable required/optional balance

3. Create Realistic Content Templates

• Use authentic placeholder content
• Include proper Gutenberg blocks
• Make content easy to edit
• Provide helpful comments

4. Test Thoroughly

• Test recipe installation multiple times
• Verify all plugins install correctly
• Check page content renders properly
• Validate menu structure
• Test on fresh WordPress installs

5. Document Your Recipes

• Include README explaining purpose
• Document custom branding fields
• Provide usage examples
• List any prerequisites

6. Version Your Recipes

• Add version numbers to custom recipes
• Track changes in changelog
• Test backwards compatibility
• Update documentation

Troubleshooting

Recipe doesn’t appear in wizard

Causes:

• JSON syntax error
• Invalid recipe structure
• Duplicate site_type
• File permissions

Solutions:

• Validate JSON with JSONLint
• Check error logs: wp-content/debug.log
• Ensure site_type is unique
• Check file permissions (644)

Pages created but content is empty

Causes:

• Page ID not in LaunchPad_page_content_template filter
• Invalid Gutenberg block markup
• Content filter not firing

Solutions:

• Add content template filter
• Validate block markup
• Check filter priority

Plugins fail to install

Causes:

• Invalid plugin slug
• Plugin not on WordPress.org
• Server timeout
• Permission issues

Solutions:

• Verify plugin slugs on WordPress.org
• Use exact directory name
• Increase timeout in wp-config.php
• Check server write permissions

Recipe Distribution

Share your custom recipes:

1. As a Plugin

Create a mu-plugin or regular plugin that registers recipes via filters.

2. As a Theme Feature

Bundle recipes with your theme in /LaunchPad-recipes/ directory.

3. As JSON Files

Distribute JSON files for users to add manually.

4. Via GitHub

Host recipes on GitHub for version control and collaboration.

Conclusion

Custom recipes extend LaunchPad’s power to create industry-specific, repeatable site templates. By leveraging the recipe JSON format and PHP hooks, developers can build sophisticated site creation workflows for clients, agencies, or product offerings.

For more information on LaunchPad development, see LaunchPad GitHub repository or explore WordPress Plugin Developer Handbook.

Ready to create recipes? Start with the examples above and build your

The post How to Create Custom Recipes for LaunchPad (Developer Guide) appeared first on LaunchPad.

Understanding the Homepage Template

The LaunchPad Bundle theme includes a special Homepage Template (template-home.php) that displays 10 modular sections:

1. Hero – Above-the-fold call-to-action
2. Features – Key product/service features
3. Services – Detailed service offerings
4. Stats – Impressive numbers and metrics
5. Testimonials – Social proof from clients
6. Trusted By – Logo showcase
7. Case Studies – Portfolio and projects
8. Pricing – Pricing tables
9. FAQ – Frequently asked questions
10. Call to Action – Final conversion section

Each section is independently controlled through the WordPress Customizer, allowing you to enable/disable, reorder, and customize content without editing code.

Learn about WordPress templates.

Accessing Homepage Sections

To customize homepage sections:

1. Navigate to Appearance → Customize
2. Ensure you’re previewing the Homepage (select it from the preview)
3. Look for the Homepage panel in the sidebar
4. Click to expand and see all 10 section controls

Note: Sections only appear when you’re viewing a page using the Homepage template. To apply the template to a page:

1. Go to Pages → All Pages
2. Edit your desired homepage
3. Select Template: Homepage from the Page Attributes box
4. Update the page

Section 1: Hero Section

The hero section is the first thing visitors see. It’s your most important conversion opportunity.

Available Settings:

Content:

• Hero Headline – Main headline (H1)
• Hero Description – Supporting text (1-2 sentences)
• Primary CTA Text – Main button text (e.g., “Get Started”)
• Primary CTA URL – Button destination
• Secondary CTA Text – Optional second button
• Secondary CTA URL – Second button destination

Visual:

• Background Image – Full-width hero image
• Background Overlay – Dark overlay opacity (0-100%)
• Text Alignment – Left, Center, Right
• Text Color – Light or Dark

AI Generation (Pro):

• Generate headline variations
• Generate description variations

Best Practices:

Headline:

• Keep under 60 characters
• Focus on benefit, not feature
• Use power words (Transform, Discover, Build)
• Be specific: ❌ “Great Services” → ✅ “Launch Your Website in 10 Minutes”

Description:

• 1-2 sentences maximum
• Explain HOW you deliver the headline benefit
• Address the target audience
• Include emotional trigger

CTAs:

• Primary CTA = highest-priority action (sign up, buy, start trial)
• Secondary CTA = lower commitment (learn more, see demo)
• Use action verbs: “Start Building” not “Click Here”
• Create urgency: “Get Started Free” vs. “Sign Up”

Background Image:

• High resolution (1920×1080 minimum)
• Subject off-center (leave space for text)
• Not too busy (avoid distracting backgrounds)
• Relevant to your service

Example hero combinations:

Headline: "Build WordPress Sites 10x Faster"
Description: "Automated wizard creates complete websites with themes, plugins, and content in minutes."
Primary CTA: "Start Building Free"
Secondary CTA: "Watch Demo"

Section 2: Features Section

Showcase your key features, benefits, or unique selling points.

Available Settings:

Layout:

• Number of Features – Display 3, 4, 5, or 6 features
• Layout Style – Grid or List
• Icon Style – Dashicons, custom icons, or none

Per-Feature Settings:

• Feature Title – Short title (3-6 words)
• Feature Description – 1-2 sentences
• Feature Icon – Dashicon name or custom icon
• Feature Link – Optional URL for “Learn More”

Styling:

• Background Color – Section background
• Feature Card Style – Boxed or flat

AI Generation (Pro):

• Generate titles and descriptions for each feature

Best Practices:

Feature Count:

• 3 features: Best for minimal, focused sites
• 4 features: Most balanced option
• 6 features: Comprehensive feature showcase

Feature Titles:

• Keep under 6 words
• Use parallel structure (“Automated Installation”, “Instant Deployment”)
• Front-load keywords

Feature Descriptions:

• Explain benefit, not technical detail
• Keep to 1-2 sentences
• Use consistent tone across all features

Icon Selection:

• Use relevant WordPress Dashicons
• Keep icons consistent in style
• Match icon to feature meaning

Example feature structure:

Feature 1:
Title: "One-Click Setup"
Description: "Launch complete sites in minutes with our automated wizard. No coding required."
Icon: dashicons-admin-site

Feature 2:
Title: "60,000+ Themes & Plugins"
Description: "Browse and install any theme or plugin directly from WordPress.org."
Icon: dashicons-admin-plugins

Feature 3:
Title: "AI Content Generation"
Description: "Create professional website content instantly with OpenAI-powered AI."
Icon: dashicons-lightbulb

Section 3: Services Section

Detail your specific service offerings or product categories.

Available Settings:

Services:

• Number of Services – Typically 3-6
• Service Title
• Service Description
• Service Image – Optional visual
• Service Icon
• Service URL – Link to service page

Layout:

• Services Per Row – 2 or 3 columns
• Image Position – Above, beside, or background
• Card Style – Elevated, flat, or outline

AI Generation (Pro):

• Generate service descriptions

Best Practices:

Service Naming:

• Be specific: ❌ “Consulting” → ✅ “WordPress Migration Consulting”
• Use action-oriented names
• Keep consistent structure

Service Descriptions:

• 2-3 sentences
• Start with benefit
• Include deliverables
• End with outcome

Service Images:

• Use consistent style (illustrations or photos, not mixed)
• Same aspect ratio for all images
• Minimum 600x400px
• Related to service topic

Service Pages:

• Link to dedicated service pages for detail
• Ensure service pages exist before linking
• Keep service section as overview, pages for depth

Example service:

Title: "Complete Site Setup"
Description: "We handle everything from theme selection to content creation. Launch a fully configured WordPress website in under an hour with our automated wizard system."
Link: "/services/site-setup"
Image: [Setup wizard screenshot]

Section 4: Stats Section

Highlight impressive numbers that build credibility.

Available Settings:

Stats:

• Number of Stats – 2, 3, or 4
• Stat Number – The number to display
• Stat Suffix – + % K M (e.g., “10K+” or “99%”)
• Stat Label – What the number represents
• Animation – Counter animation on scroll

Styling:

• Background Style – Color, gradient, or image
• Layout – Horizontal row or stacked

Best Practices:

Stat Selection:

• Choose verifiable, impressive numbers
• Use round numbers (1000+ not 1,247)
• Focus on results, not vanity metrics

Good Stats:

• Client success metrics: “97% Success Rate”
• Scale indicators: “10,000+ Websites Built”
• Time savings: “80% Faster Setup”
• Social proof: “5,000+ Happy Customers”

Bad Stats:

• Team size (irrelevant to customer)
• Years in business (unless 20+)
• Personal achievements
• Unverifiable claims

Labeling:

• Keep labels short (2-4 words)
• Make it clear what number means
• Use parallel structure

Example stats:

Stat 1: 10K+ | Sites Built
Stat 2: 5 Min | Average Setup Time
Stat 3: 97% | Satisfaction Rate
Stat 4: 24/7 | Support Available

Section 5: Testimonials Section

Display customer reviews and social proof.

Available Settings:

Testimonials:

• Number of Testimonials – Typically 3-6
• Quote – Customer testimonial text
• Author Name
• Author Role – Job title or description
• Author Avatar – Customer photo
• Company Name
• Star Rating – 1-5 stars

Layout:

• Display Style – Carousel, grid, or list
• Columns – 1, 2, or 3 per row
• Autoplay – Auto-rotate carousel
• Show Ratings – Display star ratings

AI Generation (Pro):

• Generate testimonial quotes (use carefully!)

Best Practices:

Authentic Testimonials:

• Use real customer feedback
• Include specific details
• Longer testimonials (3-5 sentences) more credible
• Ask permission before publishing

Author Information:

• Use real names and roles
• Include company name for B2B
• Use actual photos (or initials/avatars)
• LinkedIn-style job titles

Testimonial Structure:

• Problem: What challenge they had
• Solution: How your product helped
• Result: Specific outcome or benefit

What Makes a Good Testimonial: ✅ “LaunchPad cut our client site launch time from 3 days to 30 minutes. We’ve increased our monthly site deliveries by 5x.” ❌ “Great plugin! Very useful.”

Example testimonial:

Quote: "As an agency, we were spending days on repetitive setup tasks. LaunchPad's wizard automated everything—theme installation, plugin configuration, menu creation. We now deliver sites 10x faster and our profit margins have doubled."
Author: "Sarah Johnson"
Role: "Founder & CEO"
Company: "WebWorks Agency"
Rating: 5 stars
Avatar: [Professional photo]

Section 6: Trusted By Section

Showcase logos of companies or brands using your product.

Available Settings:

Logos:

• Number of Logos – Up to 12
• Logo Image – PNG with transparency
• Logo Title – Company name (for accessibility)
• Logo URL – Optional link to company

Display:

• Layout – Grid or carousel
• Logos Per Row – 3, 4, 5, or 6
• Grayscale Effect – Desaturate logos on load, color on hover
• Size – Small, medium, or large

Best Practices:

Logo Selection:

• Use recognizable brand logos
• Same aspect ratio for consistency
• PNG format with transparent background
• High resolution (at least 400px wide)

Layout:

• Grayscale recommended for visual consistency
• Even number of logos looks better
• Most recognizable brands in top row

Permissions:

• Ensure you have permission to use logos
• Link to client site if they approve
• Follow brand guidelines for logo usage

Learn about trademark fair use.

Section 7: Case Studies Section

Showcase your best work with project examples.

Available Settings:

Cases:

• Number of Cases – 3-6 recommended
• Project Title
• Project Description
• Project Screenshot – Main image
• Client Name
• Client Feedback – Optional quote
• Project URL – Live site link

Display:

• Layout – Grid or slider
• Columns – 2 or 3
• Image Ratio – 16:9 or 4:3

AI Generation (Pro):

• Generate project descriptions

Best Practices:

Case Study Content:

• Focus on results, not process
• Include specific metrics when possible
• Use high-quality screenshots
• Link to live examples

Project Descriptions:

[Industry/Type] - [What you built] - [Key Result]

Example: "E-commerce Platform - Built custom WooCommerce store with 500+ products and automated inventory - Increased online sales by 300%"

Screenshots:

• Full homepage screenshot
• Desktop view (not mobile)
• Minimum 1200px wide
• Show actual content, not placeholders

Section 8: Pricing Section

Display pricing plans and packages.

Available Settings:

Plans:

• Number of Plans – 2, 3, or 4
• Plan Name
• Price – Amount
• Price Period – /month, /year, one-time
• Plan Description – Short summary
• Features List – Up to 10 features per plan
• CTA Button Text
• CTA Button URL
• Highlight Plan – Featured/popular badge

Styling:

• Currency Symbol – $, €, £, etc.
• Feature Style – Checkmarks, bullets, or custom icons
• Card Style – Elevated, flat, or outlined

AI Generation (Pro):

• Generate plan descriptions
• Generate feature lists

Best Practices:

Pricing Strategy:

• 3 tiers = optimal choice architecture
• Middle tier most popular (highlight it)
• Price anchoring: Show most expensive first

Tier Naming:

• Use benefit-focused names: “Professional” not “Plan 2”
• Common: Basic/Pro/Premium or Starter/Growth/Enterprise
• Avoid negative names: “Limited” or “Minimum”

Feature Lists:

• Show what’s included, not excluded
• Use ✓ checkmarks for included features
• Start with most valuable features
• Keep feature names short

CTA Buttons:

• All plans should have CTAs
• Vary text: “Start Free”, “Upgrade Now”, “Contact Sales”
• Link directly to checkout/signup

Example pricing structure:

Plan 1: "Single Site"
Price: $59/year
Features:
✓ Use on 1 site
✓ All Pro features
✓ 1 year support
✓ Regular updates
CTA: "Get Started"

Plan 2: "Multi-Site" [HIGHLIGHTED]
Price: $149/year
Features:
✓ Use on 5 sites
✓ All Pro features
✓ 1 year support
✓ Priority support
CTA: "Most Popular"

Plan 3: "Unlimited"
Price: $349/year
Features:
✓ Unlimited sites
✓ All Pro features
✓ Lifetime support
✓ Priority support
CTA: "Best Value"

Section 9: FAQ Section

Answer common questions proactively.

Available Settings:

FAQs:

• Number of FAQs – 5-10 recommended
• Question – The question text
• Answer – Detailed answer (supports HTML)
• Accordion Style – All closed, first open, or all open

Display:

• Layout – Single column or two columns
• Icon – Question icons
• Collapsible – Accordion behavior

AI Generation (Pro):

• Generate question/answer pairs

Best Practices:

FAQ Selection:

• Answer actual customer questions
• Include pricing questions
• Address common objections
• Cover technical requirements

Question Format:

• Write as customers would ask
• Use natural language
• Keep questions short
• Make questions scannable

Answer Format:

• Start with direct yes/no if applicable
• Provide explanation
• Include links to relevant pages
• Keep under 100 words

FAQ Organization:

• Most common questions first
• Group related questions
• Include search functionality (Pro)

Example FAQs:

Q: "Do I need coding skills to use LaunchPad?"
A: "No coding required! LaunchPad's wizard handles everything automatically. Simply answer a few questions, and the plugin builds your complete site—including theme installation, plugin setup, and content generation."

Q: "Can I customize my site after the wizard?"
A: "Absolutely. After the wizard completes, you have full access to the WordPress Customizer and page editor. All generated content uses standard WordPress blocks, so you can edit everything easily."

Q: "What happens if I want to start over?"
A: "Use the one-click reset feature under LaunchPad → Setup Wizard. This safely removes all wizard-generated changes and lets you run the wizard again immediately."

Section 10: Call to Action (CTA) Section

Your final conversion opportunity before the footer.

Available Settings:

Content:

• CTA Headline – Final headline
• CTA Description – Supporting text
• Button Text – CTA button label
• Button URL – Where button links
• Secondary Link – Optional second action

Visual:

• Background – Color, gradient, or image
• Background Overlay
• Text Alignment
• Text Color

AI Generation (Pro):

• Generate headline and description

Best Practices:

CTA Content:

• Reinforce main value proposition
• Create urgency: “Start building today”
• Remove friction: “No credit card required”
• Make benefit clear

CTA Structure:

Headline: [Action] + [Benefit] + [Timeline]
Description: [Remove objection] + [Final push]
Button: [Action verb] + [Value]

Example:
Headline: "Start Building Your Website Today"
Description: "Join 10,000+ users who've launched sites in minutes. No credit card required, no risk."
Button: "Create My Site Free"

Design:

• Make it visually distinct from other sections
• Use contrasting background
• Large, prominent button
• Minimal distractions

Reordering Homepage Sections

Change section order without code:

1. Go to Appearance → Customize → Homepage
2. Each section has a “Move Up” and “Move Down” button
3. Click to reorder sections
4. Preview changes in real-time
5. Click “Publish” to save order

Recommended Section Order:

1. Hero (always first)
2. Features
3. Services or Stats
4. Testimonials
5. Trusted By
6. Case Studies or Pricing
7. FAQ
8. CTA (always last)

Disabling Sections

Don’t need all 10 sections? Disable unused ones:

1. Open the section in Customizer
2. Find the “Enable Section” toggle
3. Turn it OFF
4. Section disappears from homepage
5. Can re-enable anytime

Note: Disabled sections preserve their content. Re-enabling restores everything.

Advanced: Custom CSS for Sections

Add custom styling to any section:

1. Go to Appearance → Customize → Additional CSS
2. Target sections by class name:

/* Hero section */
.homepage-section-hero {
	min-height: 100vh; /* Full screen height */
}

/* Features section */
.homepage-section-features {
	background: linear-gradient(135deg, #667eea 0%, #764ba2 100%);
}

/* Pricing section */
.homepage-section-pricing .pricing-card:hover {
	transform: translateY(-10px);
	transition: transform 0.3s ease;
}

/* CTA section */
.homepage-section-cta .cta-button {
	font-size: 1.2em;
	padding: 20px 40px;
}

Learn about CSS selectors.

Performance Optimization

Optimize homepage loading speed:

1. Optimize images: Use WebP format, compress with TinyPNG
2. Lazy load images: Enable lazy loading in LaunchPad → Settings
3. Minimize sections: Only enable sections you need
4. Reduce animations: Disable unnecessary animations
5. Use CDN: Serve images from CDN for faster loading

Conclusion

LaunchPad’s 10 homepage sections provide professional, conversion-focused layouts without coding. By customizing each section thoughtfully and using AI generation for content, you can build stunning homepages in minutes.

For more customization options, explore our guide on AI content generation or check out WordPress Customizer documentation.

Ready to customize? Navigate to Appearance

The post How to Customize Homepage Sections in the WordPress Customizer appeared first on LaunchPad.

What is AI Content Generation?

AI Content Generation uses OpenAI’s GPT (Generative Pre-trained Transformer) language models to automatically create website content based on context and prompts. Instead of writing every headline, description, and FAQ answer manually, you can generate multiple variations with a single click.

Key Benefits:

• Save Time: Generate content in seconds vs. hours
• Overcome Writer’s Block: Get instant creative suggestions
• Multiple Variations: Choose from 3 AI-generated options per field
• Context-Aware: AI understands your site type and branding
• Professional Quality: GPT-4 produces publication-ready content

Learn more about AI and content creation.

Requirements

Before using AI content generation:

1. LaunchPad Pro License – Active and validated
2. OpenAI API Key – From platform.openai.com
3. OpenAI Account Credit – Minimum $5-10 recommended
4. WordPress 6.0+ and PHP 7.4+
5. HTTPS Connection – Required for secure API calls

Step 1: Getting Your OpenAI API Key

Create an OpenAI Account:

1. Visit platform.openai.com/signup
2. Sign up with your email or Google account
3. Verify your email address
4. Complete account setup

Add Billing and Credit:

1. Navigate to platform.openai.com/account/billing
2. Click “Add payment method”
3. Enter your credit card information
4. Add credit (minimum $5 recommended)

Pricing Note: OpenAI charges per token (roughly per word). Typical costs:

• GPT-3.5: ~$0.002 per 1K tokens ($0.01 per 5 requests)
• GPT-4: ~$0.03 per 1K tokens ($0.15 per 5 requests)

Most users spend $5-20 per month for regular content generation. View current pricing.

Generate Your API Key:

1. Go to platform.openai.com/api-keys
2. Click “Create new secret key”
3. Name your key (e.g., “LaunchPad Production”)
4. Click “Create secret key”
5. Copy the key immediately – you won’t see it again
6. Store it securely (password manager recommended)

Security Warning: Never share your API key publicly or commit it to version control. Anyone with your key can make API calls on your account (and charges will apply to you).

Step 2: Adding Your API Key to LaunchPad

Once you have your OpenAI API key:

1. Log into your WordPress admin dashboard
2. Navigate to LaunchPad → Settings
3. Click the API Keys tab
4. Find the OpenAI API Key field
5. Paste your API key (starts with sk-)
6. Click “Save Changes”

LaunchPad will automatically test the connection:

• ✅ Success: “OpenAI API key validated successfully”
• ❌ Error: “Invalid API key” or “Connection failed”

Testing Your Connection:

To verify everything works:

1. Stay on the API Keys tab
2. Click “Test OpenAI Connection” button
3. Wait for the test request to complete
4. Check the response:
   • Success: Shows sample AI-generated text
   • Failure: Shows specific error message

Step 3: Using AI Content Generation in the Customizer

Once your API key is configured, the “✨ Generate with AI” button appears next to supported fields.

Supported Fields:

AI generation is available for:

• Hero section headline and description
• Feature titles and descriptions
• Service descriptions
• Testimonial quotes
• FAQ questions and answers
• Case study descriptions
• Pricing plan descriptions
• CTA section headline
• Footer copyright text
• Custom branding fields

How to Generate Content:

1. Navigate to Appearance → Customize
2. Open any section with AI support (e.g., Homepage → Hero Section)
3. Look for the “✨ Generate with AI” button next to text fields
4. Click the button
5. Wait 2-5 seconds for generation
6. Review the 3 AI-generated options
7. Click one to insert it into the field
8. Edit as needed
9. Click “Publish” to save

Example: Generating a Hero Headline

Let’s generate a hero headline for a business site:

1. Open Customize → Homepage → Hero Section
2. Find the Hero Headline field
3. Click “✨ Generate with AI”
4. AI analyzes your site’s:
   • Site name and tagline
   • Selected recipe (Business)
   • Branding information
   • Context field (hero headline)
5. Three options appear:
   • “Transform Your Business with Professional Solutions”
   • “Innovative Services Tailored to Your Success”
   • “Your Partner in Business Growth and Excellence”
6. Click your preferred option
7. Fine-tune if needed
8. Publish your changes

Understanding AI Prompt Context

LaunchPad sends contextual information to OpenAI for better results:

Context Sent:

• Site Name: Your WordPress site name
• Site Tagline: Your site description
• Recipe Type: Blog, Business, or Portfolio
• Field Type: Hero headline, feature description, etc.
• Section Context: What homepage section the field belongs to
• User-Provided Data: Any branding information you entered

Context NOT Sent:

• Existing page content
• User data or emails
• Plugin settings
• Database information
• File contents

Example Prompt (Internal):

Generate a professional hero headline for a Business website called "Acme Consulting"
with the tagline "Strategic Solutions for Modern Businesses". The headline should be
compelling, concise (under 60 characters), and convey expertise and trustworthiness.
Generate 3 variations.

AI Generation Best Practices

1. Review and Edit AI Content

Always review AI-generated content before publishing:

• Check factual accuracy
• Ensure brand voice consistency
• Verify tone matches your audience
• Fix any grammatical errors
• Adjust for your specific context

AI is excellent at first drafts but may need human refinement.

2. Regenerate If Needed

Don’t like the first results? Click “✨ Generate with AI” again for 3 new variations. Each click sends a fresh request with slight randomness for variety.

3. Provide Better Context

The more context you provide during wizard setup, the better AI results:

• Write a detailed site tagline
• Fill out branding fields completely
• Provide business descriptions when prompted
• Use specific rather than generic language

4. Combine AI with Human Creativity

Best approach:

• Use AI for initial ideas and structure
• Edit AI content to add personality
• Inject specific details AI can’t know (your products, services, unique value)
• Refine tone and voice to match your brand

5. Monitor API Usage

Keep track of your OpenAI usage:

1. Visit platform.openai.com/usage
2. View daily/monthly API calls
3. Monitor costs
4. Set up billing alerts if needed

Learn about OpenAI rate limits.

Advanced: Customizing AI Behavior

LaunchPad Pro offers some configuration options:

Temperature Setting

(Future feature in LaunchPad 1.2+)

Temperature controls creativity:

• Low (0.3-0.5): More conservative, factual, consistent
• Medium (0.7): Balanced creativity and consistency (default)
• High (0.9-1.0): More creative, varied, sometimes unpredictable

Model Selection

(Future feature in LaunchPad 1.2+)

Choose between:

• GPT-3.5-turbo: Faster, cheaper, good quality
• GPT-4: Slower, more expensive, higher quality

Caching and Cost Optimization

LaunchPad implements smart caching to reduce API costs:

How Caching Works:

1. First AI generation request sent to OpenAI
2. 3 variations returned and cached in WordPress database
3. Cache key based on: field ID + context + site data
4. Cache valid for 24 hours
5. Subsequent clicks within 24 hours use cached variations (free)
6. After 24 hours, new request sent

Cost Savings:

• Clicking “Generate” multiple times in one session = 1 API call
• Testing different options = No additional cost
• Regenerating after 24 hours = New API call

Clearing Cache:

To force fresh generations:

1. Go to LaunchPad → Settings → Advanced
2. Click “Clear AI Cache”
3. All cached responses deleted
4. Next generation requests will be fresh

Troubleshooting Common Issues

“API Key Invalid” Error

Causes:

• Incorrect API key (typo or extra spaces)
• API key has been revoked
• API key doesn’t have permission

Solutions:

1. Copy API key again from OpenAI dashboard
2. Check for extra spaces before/after key
3. Generate a new API key if needed
4. Verify billing is set up on OpenAI account

“Rate Limit Exceeded” Error

Causes:

• Too many requests in short time (RPM limit)
• Insufficient OpenAI account credit

Solutions:

1. Wait 1 minute and try again
2. Add more credit to OpenAI account
3. Upgrade to higher tier on OpenAI (see tiers)
4. Reduce frequency of generation requests

“Connection Timeout” Error

Causes:

• Server firewall blocking OpenAI API
• Slow server response
• Network connectivity issues

Solutions:

1. Check server firewall settings
2. Whitelist api.openai.com domain
3. Increase PHP timeout in wp-config.php:

define('WP_HTTP_TIMEOUT', 30);

4. Contact hosting provider about API access

AI Generates Generic Content

Causes:

• Insufficient context provided
• Generic site name or tagline
• Missing branding information

Solutions:

1. Update site tagline to be more specific
2. Fill out all branding fields in wizard
3. Manually add context to prompts (future feature)
4. Edit AI output to add specificity

“Insufficient Quota” Error

Causes:

• OpenAI account has $0 balance
• Monthly spending limit reached
• Payment method failed

Solutions:

1. Add credit to OpenAI account
2. Update payment method
3. Increase spending limit
4. Check usage page for details

Security and Privacy Considerations

Data Sent to OpenAI:

When generating content, LaunchPad sends:

• Site name
• Tagline
• Recipe type
• Field context
• User-provided branding information

NOT sent:

• User emails or personal data
• Passwords or credentials
• Existing page content (unless in the field being generated)
• Database information
• Other users’ data

OpenAI’s Data Policy:

According to OpenAI’s data policy:

• API data not used to train models (as of March 2023)
• Data retained for 30 days for abuse monitoring
• Can be deleted upon request
• GDPR compliant

Best Practices:

• Don’t include sensitive information in site taglines
• Review AI output before publishing
• Use API key only on trusted sites
• Rotate API keys periodically
• Monitor API usage for unauthorized use

Cost Management Tips

Keep your OpenAI costs low:

1. Use Caching: Don’t clear cache unless necessary
2. Edit vs. Regenerate: Edit AI output instead of regenerating repeatedly
3. Batch Content Creation: Generate all content in one session
4. Set Billing Alerts: Configure alerts on OpenAI dashboard
5. Use Selectively: Only use AI for complex fields, write simple ones manually
6. Start with GPT-3.5: Use GPT-4 only when needed (future feature)

Average Costs:

• Small site (10 AI fields): ~$0.50
• Medium site (30 AI fields): ~$1.50
• Large site (100 AI fields): ~$5.00

Alternative: Local AI Models

(Future consideration for LaunchPad 2.0+)

For privacy-conscious users, LaunchPad may support local AI models like:

• LLaMA
• Mistral
• GPT4All

This would eliminate OpenAI API costs but require significant server resources.

Conclusion

AI Content Generation in LaunchPad Pro dramatically accelerates website creation by automating content writing. With OpenAI’s powerful GPT models, you can generate professional headlines, descriptions, and text in seconds.

For more advanced customization techniques, check out our guide on customizing homepage sections or explore OpenAI’s documentation.

Ready to start generating? Add your OpenAI API key in LaunchPad → Settings → API Keys and look for the “✨ Generate with AI” button in the Customizer!

The post How to Integrate AI Content Generation with OpenAI in LaunchPad Pro appeared first on LaunchPad.

This comprehensive guide explains how reset works, what gets removed, and how to use it safely.

What is the LaunchPad Reset Feature?

The LaunchPad Reset feature is a safe, one-click solution that removes all changes made by the Setup Wizard, returning your site to its pre-wizard state. Unlike database plugins that can break your site, LaunchPad’s reset is:

• Targeted – Only removes wizard-generated content
• Safe – Doesn’t affect core WordPress files or settings
• Reversible – You can run the wizard again immediately after
• Logged – All actions are recorded in activity logs
• Fast – Completes in seconds

This is particularly useful for:

• Testing different recipes
• Fixing wizard errors
• Starting a new project
• Experimenting with settings
• Training and demonstrations

What Gets Removed During Reset

When you reset your site, LaunchPad removes:

1. Pages Created by the Wizard

All pages generated during the build process:

• Homepage
• About page
• Contact page
• Services page
• Portfolio page
• Privacy Policy page (if created)
• Any recipe-specific pages

Important: Only pages created by LaunchPad are removed. Any pages you created manually before or after the wizard are preserved.

2. Navigation Menus

• Primary menu (and all menu items)
• Footer menu (and all menu items)
• Menu location assignments

Note: If you had menus before running the wizard, those will need to be manually reassigned after reset.

3. Customizer Settings

All theme customizer values applied by the wizard:

• Color scheme settings
• Font family choices
• Logo (removed from settings, not from Media Library)
• Homepage section content
• Widget settings
• Theme mod values

4. Images from Unsplash

• Images downloaded during the wizard
• Featured images assigned to pages
• Images inserted into page content

Important: Images are removed from the Media Library. If you used these images elsewhere after the wizard, those references will break.

5. Wizard Metadata

• wizard_completed flag
• wizard_state transient data
• wizard_install_data option
• Build timestamp and settings

What DOESN’T Get Removed

LaunchPad reset intentionally preserves:

WordPress Core

• WordPress files and folders
• Core database tables
• User accounts and roles
• Permalinks structure
• General settings (site URL, timezone, etc.)

Plugins

• Installed plugins remain active
• Plugin settings are preserved
• Plugin data remains intact

Why? You may want to keep the plugins you selected. You can manually deactivate/delete them if needed.

Themes

• Installed themes stay in your themes folder
• Theme files remain available
• You can switch themes manually if desired

Why? The theme might be used by other parts of your site, or you may want to keep it for future use.

Manual Content

• Pages you created yourself
• Blog posts
• Custom post types
• Media library items you uploaded
• Comments
• Widgets you added

How to Reset Your Site

There are two ways to reset your LaunchPad-generated site:

Method 1: From the Welcome Screen (Recommended)

If you’ve already completed the wizard:

1. Navigate to LaunchPad → Setup Wizard
2. You’ll see the “You already have a site!” notice
3. Click the “Start Over” button
4. Read the confirmation dialog carefully
5. Click “Yes, Reset Everything” to confirm
6. Wait a few seconds for the process to complete
7. You’ll see a success message when done

Method 2: From the Wizard Step 1

If you’re currently in the wizard:

1. Go to Step 1 (Choose Your Type)
2. Look for the existing site warning at the top
3. Click “Start Over” in the warning box
4. Confirm the reset action
5. The wizard resets and becomes available immediately

Understanding the Confirmation Dialog

Before resetting, LaunchPad shows a confirmation dialog explaining exactly what will happen:

⚠️ Reset Your Site?

This will remove all changes made by the LaunchPad wizard:

✓ Delete wizard-generated pages
✓ Remove navigation menus
✓ Clear customizer settings
✓ Delete Unsplash images
✓ Reset wizard completion flag

✗ Plugins will remain installed
✗ Themes will remain installed
✗ Your manual content is safe

This action cannot be undone, but you can run the wizard again immediately after.

[Cancel] [Yes, Reset Everything]

Read this carefully before proceeding. If you’re unsure, click “Cancel” and back up your site first.

Before You Reset: Backup Recommendations

While LaunchPad reset is safe, it’s always wise to back up important data:

What to Back Up:

1. Custom Content – Export pages/posts you want to keep via Tools → Export
2. Media Library – Download any uploaded images you need
3. Customizer Settings – Take screenshots of any custom CSS or settings
4. Plugin Settings – Note any plugin configurations you customized
5. Database (optional) – Use a plugin like UpdraftPlus for full backup

Quick Backup Method:

1. Install UpdraftPlus or BackWPup
2. Create a full backup before resetting
3. Store backup files off-server
4. Reset your site with confidence

Learn more about WordPress backups.

After the Reset: What to Do Next

Once the reset completes:

Immediate Next Steps:

1. Verify the reset – Check that pages were removed under Pages → All Pages
2. Check Activity Logs – Review LaunchPad → Activity Logs to see what was removed
3. Run the wizard again – Navigate to LaunchPad → Setup Wizard and start fresh
4. Choose differently – Try a different recipe, theme, or branding options

Optional Cleanup:

If you want a completely fresh start, consider:

Removing Installed Plugins:

1. Go to Plugins → Installed Plugins
2. Deactivate plugins you don’t want
3. Click “Delete” to remove them completely

Removing Installed Themes:

1. Go to Appearance → Themes
2. Click on the theme you want to remove
3. Click “Delete” (can’t delete active theme)

Clearing Media Library:

1. Go to Media → Library
2. Switch to List View
3. Select items to delete
4. Click “Delete Permanently” from bulk actions

Partial Reset vs. Complete Reset

Currently, LaunchPad only offers complete reset (all wizard changes). However, you can manually remove specific elements:

Remove Only Pages:

1. Go to Pages → All Pages
2. Select wizard-generated pages
3. Move to Trash or Delete Permanently

Remove Only Menus:

1. Go to Appearance → Menus
2. Select the menu
3. Click “Delete Menu”

Reset Only Customizer:

1. Go to Appearance → Customize
2. Manually change settings back to defaults
3. Or use a theme reset plugin

Troubleshooting Reset Issues

Reset button doesn’t appear

Cause: Wizard completion flag not set Solution: Check LaunchPad → Activity Logs to confirm a build was completed, or manually run the wizard

Some pages weren’t removed

Cause: Pages were edited after wizard completion (LaunchPad tracks original wizard pages) Solution: Manually delete remaining pages in Pages → All Pages

Customizer settings still present

Cause: You made customizer changes after the wizard Solution: Manually reset in Appearance → Customize or switch themes temporarily to clear theme mods

Images still in Media Library

Cause: Images were used in content created after the wizard Solution: Manually delete images from Media → Library if you no longer need them

Menu location assignments remain

Cause: WordPress retains some menu settings Solution: Go to Appearance → Menus and unassign locations manually

Resetting Multiple Times

You can reset and re-run the wizard as many times as needed:

1. Testing different recipes – Try Blog, Business, and Portfolio to see which works best
2. Experimenting with themes – Test different themes with the same recipe
3. Training purposes – Demonstrate the wizard repeatedly for clients or students
4. Development workflow – Reset between client demos or development phases

No limits on how many times you can reset. The process is designed to be repeatable.

Alternative: Manual Site Cleanup

If you prefer more control, you can manually “reset” without using the button:

1. Delete wizard pages – Remove all pages created by LaunchPad
2. Delete menus – Remove primary and footer menus
3. Reset Customizer – Manually revert theme settings
4. Clean up images – Delete Unsplash images from Media Library
5. Clear options – Use a database plugin to remove LaunchPad_wizard_completed option

This gives you granular control but takes more time than the one-click reset.

When NOT to Use Reset

Consider these alternatives instead:

If you want to update content:

❌ Don’t reset → ✅ Edit pages in Pages → All Pages

If you want to change colors:

❌ Don’t reset → ✅ Update in Appearance → Customize

If you want different plugins:

❌ Don’t reset → ✅ Install/remove plugins in Plugins

If you want to change theme:

❌ Don’t reset → ✅ Switch in Appearance → Themes

Only reset if you want to completely start over with a different recipe or wizard configuration.

Reset and Data Privacy

LaunchPad reset respects your data:

• No data sent externally – Reset happens entirely on your server
• Activity logged locally – All actions saved in WordPress database
• User data preserved – User accounts and profiles remain intact
• GDPR compliant – No personal data transmitted

Conclusion

The LaunchPad Reset feature gives you the freedom to experiment without fear. Whether you’re testing different recipes, fixing mistakes, or starting fresh, the one-click reset safely removes wizard changes while preserving your WordPress installation.

For more information about the Setup Wizard, check out our complete wizard guide or explore WordPress site management best practices.

Need to start over? Navigate to LaunchPad → Setup Wizard and click “Start Over” to begin fresh!

The post How to Reset Your Site and Start Over with LaunchPad appeared first on LaunchPad.

This guide covers everything from choosing pre-defined schemes to creating fully custom branding with LaunchPad Pro.

What is the Branding System?

The LaunchPad Branding System is a comprehensive set of tools that controls your website’s visual appearance:

• Color Schemes – Coordinated color palettes for primary and accent colors
• Typography Pairings – Professionally matched font combinations
• Logo Management – Upload and configure your company logo
• Custom Options (Pro) – Unlimited color and font choices

All branding choices are applied through the WordPress Customizer, so you can see changes live before publishing them.

When to Customize Your Branding

You can set your branding at two different stages:

1. During the wizard setup – Step 2 of the Setup Wizard
2. After site creation – Through Appearance → Customize

Most users set initial branding during the wizard, then fine-tune it later in the Customizer.

Choosing a Color Scheme

Colors are one of the most important aspects of your brand identity. LaunchPad offers 7 pre-designed color schemes created by professional designers:

Professional Blue

• Primary: #2563EB (Deep Blue)
• Accent: #60A5FA (Light Blue)
• Best for: Corporate, tech companies, professional services
• Psychology: Trust, reliability, professionalism

Vibrant Orange

• Primary: #EA580C (Bright Orange)
• Accent: #FB923C (Soft Orange)
• Best for: Creative agencies, startups, food & beverage
• Psychology: Energy, creativity, enthusiasm

Natural Green

• Primary: #16A34A (Forest Green)
• Accent: #4ADE80 (Fresh Green)
• Best for: Environmental, health & wellness, organic products
• Psychology: Growth, health, sustainability

Elegant Purple

• Primary: #9333EA (Royal Purple)
• Accent: #C084FC (Lavender)
• Best for: Luxury brands, beauty, creative professionals
• Psychology: Sophistication, creativity, luxury

Modern Teal

• Primary: #0891B2 (Teal)
• Accent: #22D3EE (Cyan)
• Best for: Tech startups, apps, modern businesses
• Psychology: Innovation, balance, clarity

Warm Red

• Primary: #DC2626 (Bold Red)
• Accent: #F87171 (Light Red)
• Best for: Restaurants, entertainment, urgent services
• Psychology: Passion, urgency, excitement

Minimal Black

• Primary: #171717 (Near Black)
• Accent: #737373 (Gray)
• Best for: Minimalist brands, photographers, luxury services
• Psychology: Elegance, sophistication, timelessness

Learn more about color psychology in web design.

Custom Color Picker (Pro Feature)

Pro users can create unlimited custom color combinations:

1. Select “Custom Colors” during the wizard branding step
2. Click the Primary Color picker to choose your main brand color
3. Click the Accent Color picker for your secondary color
4. Preview changes in real-time
5. Use the hex code input for exact color values

Pro Tip: Your primary color should be your main brand color (used for buttons, headings, links). Your accent color provides contrast and is used for hover states and highlights.

How to Choose Custom Colors

Follow these best practices:

• Ensure sufficient contrast – Test colors for readability with WebAIM’s Contrast Checker
• Match your brand guidelines – Use exact hex codes from your style guide
• Test on different screens – Colors appear differently on various devices
• Consider accessibility – Minimum 4.5:1 contrast ratio for text

Selecting Typography

Font pairings are crucial for readability and brand personality. LaunchPad includes 4 professionally curated combinations:

Inter (Modern & Clean)

• Heading Font: Inter
• Body Font: Inter
• Personality: Modern, clean, highly readable
• Best for: Tech companies, modern businesses, apps
• Why it works: Inter is a variable font designed specifically for screens

Playfair Display + Lato (Elegant & Classic)

• Heading Font: Playfair Display (serif)
• Body Font: Lato (sans-serif)
• Personality: Sophisticated, elegant, traditional
• Best for: Luxury brands, law firms, established businesses
• Why it works: Serif headings + sans-serif body creates elegant contrast

Merriweather + Open Sans (Traditional & Trustworthy)

• Heading Font: Merriweather (serif)
• Body Font: Open Sans (sans-serif)
• Personality: Trustworthy, readable, professional
• Best for: Healthcare, education, government, nonprofits
• Why it works: Both fonts prioritize readability and accessibility

Raleway + Roboto (Sophisticated & Modern)

• Heading Font: Raleway (geometric sans-serif)
• Body Font: Roboto (humanist sans-serif)
• Personality: Clean, geometric, contemporary
• Best for: Design agencies, startups, creative services
• Why it works: Both fonts are geometric yet approachable

Explore Google Fonts to see these fonts in action.

Custom Font Selector (Pro Feature)

Pro users have access to all 1,400+ Google Fonts:

1. Select “Custom Combination” during branding setup
2. Search for your desired heading font
3. Search for your body font
4. Preview the combination
5. Apply your selection

Typography Best Practices:

• Limit font families – Use only 2 fonts (heading + body)
• Ensure readability – Body text should be highly readable (16px minimum)
• Create hierarchy – Headings should contrast with body text
• Test loading speed – More font weights = slower page load
• Match your brand – Fonts convey personality (playful, serious, modern, classic)

Learn about typography principles.

Uploading Your Logo

Your logo is the cornerstone of your brand identity. Here’s how to upload it:

During the Wizard:

1. Click “Upload Logo” in the branding step
2. Click “Select File” to browse your computer
3. Choose your logo file
4. Click “Open” to upload
5. Preview how it looks in the header

After Site Creation:

1. Go to Appearance → Customize
2. Click Site Identity
3. Click “Select logo” under Logo
4. Upload or choose from Media Library
5. Adjust Logo Width if needed
6. Click “Publish” to save

Logo Requirements and Best Practices:

• File Format: PNG (recommended for transparency), JPG, SVG
• Recommended Width: 200-400px wide
• Aspect Ratio: Horizontal logos work best (2:1 to 4:1 ratio)
• File Size: Under 200KB for fast loading
• Background: Transparent background (PNG) for flexibility
• Colors: Should match your color scheme

Don’t Have a Logo? Consider these options:

• Use text-based logo (site name in your chosen font)
• Create a simple logo with Canva
• Hire a designer on Fiverr
• Use an online logo generator temporarily

Applying Branding in the WordPress Customizer

After completing the wizard, you can fine-tune your branding:

1. Navigate to Appearance → Customize
2. Look for the Theme Options panel
3. Click Branding to expand the section

Here you can:

• Change your color scheme
• Switch font pairings
• Update your logo
• Access custom colors (Pro)
• Choose custom fonts (Pro)

All changes preview in real-time on the right side. Click “Publish” when satisfied.

Where Your Branding is Applied

Your branding choices affect these site elements:

Primary Color:

• Navigation links
• Button backgrounds
• Heading text
• Link colors
• Icon colors
• Border accents

Accent Color:

• Button hover states
• Secondary buttons
• Highlighted elements
• Link hover states
• Active menu items

Heading Font:

• All heading levels (H1-H6)
• Navigation menu items
• Button text
• Widget titles

Body Font:

• Paragraph text
• List items
• Form inputs
• Meta information
• Footer text

Branding Consistency Tips

Maintain a cohesive brand across your site:

1. Use colors consistently – Don’t add random colors to individual pages
2. Stick to your fonts – Avoid changing fonts in different sections
3. Create a style guide – Document your colors, fonts, and logo usage
4. Test mobile appearance – Ensure branding looks good on all devices
5. Check accessibility – Verify color contrast meets WCAG standards

Troubleshooting Branding Issues

Logo appears too large or small

Solution: Adjust logo width in Customize → Site Identity → Logo Width (recommended: 150-250px)

Colors aren’t applying everywhere

Solution: Some plugins may have their own color settings. Check individual plugin settings or use custom CSS:

/* Add in Appearance → Customize → Additional CSS */
.plugin-element {
	color: #YOUR-COLOR-HERE;
}

Fonts look different than preview

Solution: Clear browser cache and check that fonts loaded correctly in Inspect Element → Network → Fonts

Custom colors (Pro) not saving

Solution: Ensure you have an active Pro license in LaunchPad → Settings → Pro Settings

Conclusion

LaunchPad’s Branding System gives you professional design control without requiring design skills. Whether you use pre-defined schemes or create custom branding with Pro features, you can build a cohesive visual identity in minutes.

For more design guidance, explore WordPress design best practices or check out our guide on customizing homepage sections.

Ready to customize your branding? Navigate to Appearance → Customize → Theme Options → Branding and start designing!

The post How to Select and Customize Your Site’s Branding in LaunchPad appeared first on LaunchPad.

What is the LaunchPad Setup Wizard?

The LaunchPad Setup Wizard is an interactive, multi-step process that automatically configures your WordPress website based on your preferences. Instead of manually installing themes, plugins, creating pages, and building menus, the wizard handles everything automatically—typically in under 5 minutes.

The wizard uses a recipe system that bundles together the perfect combination of theme, plugins, pages, and settings for your specific site type (Blog, Business, or Portfolio).

Before You Begin

Before starting the wizard, make sure:

1. WordPress is installed on your hosting account
2. LaunchPad plugin is activated through Plugins → Installed Plugins
3. You have admin access to your WordPress dashboard
4. Your hosting meets minimum requirements (PHP 7.4+, WordPress 6.0+)

If you’re new to WordPress, check out the official WordPress installation guide.

Step 1: Launch the Setup Wizard

To begin:

1. Log into your WordPress admin dashboard
2. Navigate to LaunchPad → Setup Wizard in the left sidebar
3. Click the “Start Building” button on the welcome screen

Important: If you see a warning message stating you already have a site built, you have two options:

• Go to Customizer: Edit your existing site
• Start Over: Reset and create a new site (removes previous wizard changes)

Step 2: Choose Your Site Type

The first step asks you to select a recipe that matches your website goals:

Blog Recipe

Perfect for bloggers, writers, and content creators. Includes:

• Blog-focused homepage layout
• Recommended plugins: Yoast SEO, Akismet Anti-Spam
• Pages: Home, Blog, About, Contact
• Category and tag archive templates

Business Recipe

Ideal for small businesses, agencies, and professional services. Includes:

• Professional business homepage with multiple sections
• Recommended plugins: Contact Form 7, WordPress SEO
• Pages: Home, About, Services, Contact
• Service showcase features

Portfolio Recipe

Best for designers, photographers, and creative professionals. Includes:

• Portfolio-focused homepage
• Recommended plugins: Portfolio Gallery, Jetpack
• Pages: Home, Portfolio, About, Contact
• Project case study templates

How to Choose: Click the card that best matches your website’s purpose. Don’t worry—you can customize everything in the next steps. Learn more about WordPress site types.

Step 3: Customize Your Branding

The branding step lets you define your site’s visual identity:

Site Name and Tagline

• Site Name: Your website or business name (e.g., “Acme Design Studio”)
• Tagline: A short description of what you do (e.g., “Creative Web Design & Branding”)

These appear in your header, browser tabs, and search results.

Logo Upload

Click “Upload Logo” to add your company logo:

• Recommended size: 200-400px wide
• Supported formats: PNG (with transparency), JPG, SVG
• Transparent background recommended for flexibility

If you don’t have a logo yet, you can skip this and add one later in Appearance → Customize → Site Identity.

Color Scheme

Choose from 7 professionally designed color combinations:

• Professional Blue
• Vibrant Orange
• Natural Green
• Elegant Purple
• Modern Teal
• Warm Red
• Minimal Black

Pro Users: Click “Custom Colors” to select your exact brand colors with the color picker.

Typography (Font Pairing)

Select a font combination for headings and body text:

• Inter: Modern & Clean (same font for both)
• Playfair Display + Lato: Elegant & Classic
• Merriweather + Open Sans: Traditional & Trustworthy
• Raleway + Roboto: Sophisticated & Modern

Pro Users: Choose “Custom Combination” to select any Google Fonts.

Learn about typography best practices.

Step 4: Select Plugins

This step shows two types of plugins:

Recommended Plugins

These are pre-selected based on your chosen recipe. Each plugin includes:

• Plugin name and description
• Active installations and rating
• Purpose and benefits

You can uncheck any plugins you don’t want to install. However, we recommend keeping essential plugins like contact forms and SEO tools.

Browse Additional Plugins (Pro)

Pro users can click “Browse More Plugins” to:

• Search WordPress.org’s 60,000+ plugin library
• Filter by Popular, Featured, or Recommended
• Read plugin details, ratings, and reviews
• Add additional plugins to your selection

Important: The wizard recommends keeping plugin selection under 5 during setup to avoid server resource issues. You can always install more plugins later from Plugins → Add New.

Step 5: Select Your Theme

Choose which theme to install and activate:

Recommended Themes

Your recipe includes pre-selected themes optimized for that site type. The LaunchPad Bundle theme is included and recommended for all recipes—it’s a professionally designed theme with 10 customizable homepage sections.

Browse More Themes (Pro)

Pro users can browse thousands of WordPress.org themes:

• View theme screenshots and previews
• Check ratings and active installations
• Read theme descriptions and features
• Select from responsive, modern designs

Click on any theme card to see more details before selecting it.

Step 6: Choose Content Preference

Select how you want your initial content:

With Sample Content (Free & Pro)

The wizard generates complete sample content including:

• Full homepage with multiple sections
• Inner pages with placeholder text
• Sample blog posts (for Blog recipe)
• Portfolio items (for Portfolio recipe)

This is recommended for beginners as it gives you a complete starting point.

Empty Placeholders Only (Pro)

Pro users can start with a clean slate:

• Pages are created but contain minimal content
• Homepage sections are present but empty
• Menu structure is built but minimal

This is ideal if you already have your content ready and want to add it yourself.

Step 7: Review and Build

The final step shows a summary of your selections:

• Site name and tagline
• Selected recipe
• Chosen theme
• Selected plugins (count)
• Branding choices (colors and fonts)

Review everything carefully, then click “Build My Site” to start the automated installation process.

The Build Process

Once you click “Build My Site,” LaunchPad performs these actions automatically:

1. Installing Theme – Downloads and activates your selected theme
2. Installing Plugins – Downloads, installs, and activates selected plugins
3. Generating Content – Creates pages using Gutenberg blocks
4. Building Navigation – Creates and assigns primary and footer menus
5. Applying Branding – Configures colors, fonts, and logo
6. Importing Images – Downloads Unsplash photos (if applicable)
7. Finalizing Setup – Configures settings and permalinks

This typically takes 2-5 minutes depending on how many plugins you’re installing. Do not close your browser or navigate away during this process.

After the Build Completes

When the wizard finishes, you’ll see:

• A success message with a checkmark
• “View Site” button to see your new website
• “Go to Customizer” button to make further changes

Recommended Next Steps:

1. View Your Site: Click “View Site” to see the result
2. Customize Content: Go to Appearance → Customize to edit homepage sections
3. Replace Sample Content: Edit pages under Pages → All Pages
4. Add Your Content: Create new blog posts, portfolio items, or service pages
5. Test Contact Forms: Ensure contact forms work and receive submissions
6. Review Settings: Check Settings → General and Settings → Reading

Troubleshooting Common Issues

“Plugin installation failed”

• Cause: Server timeout or connectivity issue
• Solution: Go to Plugins → Add New and manually install the failed plugin

“Theme couldn’t be installed”

• Cause: Theme already installed or server permissions
• Solution: Check Appearance → Themes to see if theme is available

“Build process stopped”

• Cause: Server timeout or resource limit
• Solution: Click “Reset All” under LaunchPad → Setup Wizard and try again with fewer plugins

Pages created but menu is empty

• Cause: Menu assignment issue
• Solution: Go to Appearance → Menus, select your menu, and assign it to “Primary Menu” location

Viewing Activity Logs

To see detailed information about what the wizard did:

1. Navigate to LaunchPad → Activity Logs
2. View logs filtered by type: Info, Error, Warning, Success, Debug
3. Use the search to find specific actions
4. Check timestamps to track the build timeline

Activity logs are helpful for troubleshooting and understanding exactly what changes were made to your site.

Conclusion

The LaunchPad Setup Wizard streamlines WordPress site creation by automating dozens of tedious tasks. By following this guide, you can launch a professional, fully functional website in minutes instead of hours.

For more advanced customization options, check out our guide on customizing your LaunchPad homepage sections or explore the WordPress Customizer documentation.

Ready to build your site? Navigate to LaunchPad → Setup Wizard and start creating!

The post How to Use the LaunchPad Setup Wizard (Step-by-Step Guide) appeared first on LaunchPad.

Enabling Auto-Updates

For convenience and security, it is strongly recommended to enable the “Enable auto-updates” option for the plugin. By doing so, your site will always run the latest version of LaunchPad Pro, ensuring compatibility, new features, and protection against vulnerabilities. Learn more about plugin auto-updates in this guide.

Licensing and Updates

You will continue to receive plugin updates and support as long as your license remains active and valid. Updates include:

• New features or enhancements
• Security patches
• Compatibility improvements with the latest WordPress version

If your license expires or you cancel auto-renewal—whether directly from your account on the plugin’s website or via PayPal—you will no longer receive updates or support for the plugin. However, the plugin will still function on your site in its current version.

License Expiry Notifications

Before your license expires, you will receive an email notification to remind you to renew. This ensures you have ample time to renew and maintain access to updates and support. For more details about license management, refer to the plugin documentation or contact plugin support.

By staying updated, you ensure your website remains secure and benefits from the latest features of LaunchPad Pro.

The post How Will I Get Regular Plugin Updates? appeared first on LaunchPad.

Locating Your License Key

Your license key is provided at the time of purchase and can be found in several places:

1. Purchase Receipt: After completing your payment, the license key will be displayed on the purchase confirmation page.
2. Email Confirmation: Check the inbox of the email address you used during registration for a receipt that includes your license key.
3. My Account Section: Log in to your account on the plugin’s website and navigate to My Account > Orders to view your license key.

If you need help locating your license key, refer to the plugin support documentation.

Activating Your License

1. Log in to your WordPress Admin area and navigate to the LaunchPad Pro settings page.
2. Click on the License tab. If this is your first time, the license status will show as Inactive, indicating no license has been entered.
3. Copy your license key and paste it into the license activation field.
4. Click the Activate License button.

If the activation is successful, you will see the message: “Plugin license key has been activated successfully!” The license status will change from Inactive to Active.

Start Using the Plugin

Once your license is activated, you can access all the features and updates included with your purchase. For more details on licensing and troubleshooting, visit the plugin’s FAQ.

The post How do I Activate the Plugin License? appeared first on LaunchPad.

1. Download the Plugin: After purchasing the plugin, log in to your account on the plugin website and download the launchpad-pro.zip file to your computer.
2. Unzip the Archive: Extract the downloaded zip file into a folder named launchpad-pro. This will contain all the necessary plugin files. If you’re unsure how to unzip files, refer to this guide.
3. Upload the Plugin Files: Using your preferred FTP or SFTP client (e.g., FileZilla or WinSCP), connect to your server and navigate to the wp-content/plugins directory. Upload the extracted launchpad-pro folder into this directory. Learn more about FTP in WordPress documentation.
4. Activate the Plugin: Once the upload is complete, log in to your WordPress Admin dashboard. Navigate to Plugins > Installed Plugins, locate LaunchPad Pro, and click Activate.

Important Notes:

• If you already have the free version of the plugin installed, you must either deactivate it manually or let it deactivate automatically during this process. WordPress does not allow both the free and pro versions of the plugin to be active simultaneously.
• After activation, you can access the plugin’s features from its main settings page in your WordPress Admin area.

By following these steps, you’ll ensure the plugin is correctly installed and ready to use on your WordPress site. Should you encounter any issues, refer to the WordPress troubleshooting guide or contact support for assistance.

The post How to Install the Plugin with FTP or SFTP? appeared first on LaunchPad.