Troubleshooting Beginner Roadblocks

Even with a clean setup, beginners run into problems. This is normal. Most members experience the same issues that JDGresham described. The difference is simple: when you know what to expect, these roadblocks no longer slow you down. Use this guide to solve the most common problems before frustration builds.

Step 1: Headline Won’t Move or Align
This usually means the block is inside the wrong container.
Fix:
• Click the List View icon (top left).
• Drag your headline block into the correct container.
• Check alignment again.
List View is your friend. It shows the real structure of your page.

Step 2: Too Much Space or Not Enough Space
Spacing problems happen when margins and padding fight each other.
Fix:
• Click the container.
• Set margin to 0 for now.
• Adjust padding only.
Padding controls the inside spacing.
Margin controls outside spacing.
Beginners should stick to padding.

Step 3: Mobile Layout Looks Broken
Rows sometimes collapse strangely on small screens.
Fix:
• Select the Row block.
• Look for Mobile Controls.
• Change “Stack direction” to vertical.
This makes your columns appear one above the other on phones.

Step 4: Images Won’t Resize Properly
Images often look too large or stretched.
Fix:
• Select the image block.
• Change the width to 50% or 75%.
• Add a max-width setting (optional).
Consistent image sizes keep your layout stable.

Step 5: Menu Items Don’t Show Up
If your navigation menu is empty, the menu isn’t assigned.
Fix:
• Go to Appearance → Menus.
• Select your Main Menu.
• Assign it to “Primary.”
Your menu will appear immediately.

Step 6: Footer Widgets Keep Showing Content You Don’t Want
Beginners are often confused by random footer elements.
Fix:
• Go to Appearance → Widgets.
• Delete all widgets inside Footer areas.
GeneratePress keeps things clean once empty.

Step 7: Homepage Shows Sample Posts Instead of Your Layout
This means your homepage settings switched back.
Fix:
• Go to Settings → Reading.
• Select “A static page.”
• Choose Home for Homepage.
Your custom homepage will reappear.

Step 8: Text Looks Too Small or Too Large
This is a global styling issue.
Fix:
• Go to Appearance → Customize → Typography.
• Set Body text to 16–18px.
• Leave headings at default.
Your entire site updates instantly.

Step 9: Buttons Don’t Match Your Style
If buttons look inconsistent, global styling is missing.
Fix:
• Go to Customize → Colors → Buttons.
• Set your accent color once.
All buttons will follow it.

Step 10: Blocks Keep Stacking in the Wrong Order
This is usually a structure problem.
Fix:
• Click List View.
• Drag blocks up or down to reorder them.
This avoids the frustration of dragging inside the page view.

Step 11: The Page Looks Different From Editor to Preview
This is normal.
Fix:
• Use Preview every time.
The editor shows the structure.
Preview shows the final layout.

Step 12: Don’t Panic — Everything in WordPress Can Be Undone
The best mindset for beginners:
Nothing is ruined. Nothing is permanent.
You can always delete a block, remove a container, or restart a section.

These simple fixes cover most beginner frustrations. Once you know how to solve these issues, your confidence grows and your site becomes easier to build.

In the next post, we’ll talk about when and how to switch themes later — but only after you understand the basics.

That’s all for today! Did you like this post? Let me know in the comments below.