Aligning with current trends in web development and allowing for quick updates and design changes, Kennedy Library is in the process of implementing the Divi theme, the “most popular premium WordPress theme in the world.“ In anticipation of an upcoming campus web redesign, the library is ensuring we are ready to change designs of our own pages quickly to align with the campus branding. While building pages visually with a front-end WYSIWYG editor in real time is exciting, we had to solve multiple challenges: communication structure, user training, user restrictions, theme customizations, etc. We tested the setup with a sub-site, and are in the process of moving the entire library website to the new theme. I present best practices, failures and successes as well as concrete examples and strategies for theme setup, plugin compatibility and web governance.

1. Going visual: Building the library
website with the Divi theme
Conny Liegl, Senior Designer, California Polytechnic State University
Higher Ed WEBSITES Conference ~ #HEW18
(Bonus on-demand session)

2. From coding to visual editor
#HEW18@connyliegl

3. Why WordPress for our library?
• Existing installs
• Familiarity
• Ease-of-use
• Sufficient content
types and user roles
• Custom feature
development
#HEW18@connyliegl
https://kinsta.com/blog/wordpress-vs-drupal/
CMS market share

4. Divi theme
“Building stunning WordPress
websites has never been easier.”
Elegantthemes.com
• Fast and intuitive front-end editor
– Visual page builder
• Educational lifetime pricing for elegantthemes.com
– Access to multiple themes, plugins and support
#HEW18@connyliegl

5. Working with Divi: Pros
• Developers can change copy and design easily
– Place any HTML, CSS or JavaScript code in pages
• (Almost) no coding necessary
– HTML/CSS is created automatically
• Regular updates and support
– Through elegantthemes.com blog and newsletter
• Very affordable ($224 lifetime educational)
#HEW18@connyliegl

6. Divi theme options
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7. Design changes on-the-fly
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8. Page Layouts
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9. Available modules
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10. Text module settings
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11. Fairly clean code
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12. Built-in split testing
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13. Free community support
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14. Working with Divi: Cons
• Restrictive design options
– Many page layouts and modules available
• Explaining new functionality to editors
– Dashboard page builder or editor confusing
• Page loading speed
– Divi can slow your pages down
• Could create redundant code
– Code for features could blow up page
#HEW18@connyliegl

15. Restrictive design options
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16. Dangers of the visual editor
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17. Dashboard page builder view
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18. Page speed could be influenced
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DIVI 3.0
theme site
Responsive
theme site

19. • PROs:
– Easy changes to copy and design
– (Almost) no coding necessary
– Regular updates and support
– Very affordable ($224 lifetime educational)
• CONs:
– Restrictive design options
– Explaining new functionality to editors
– Page loading speed
– Could create redundant code
#HEW18@connyliegl
Top #HEW18 Takeaways

21. How can you use what you’ve just
learned at your school?