1.1 Normal Installation

The normal installation method is done via your WordPress Dashboard area.

1. From your ThemeForest Downloads Screen, click the Download button next to Sitka. Select All files & documentation.
2. On your computer, unzip this package you've just downloaded. Within, you'll find a file titled "sitka.zip". This is the theme file.
3. In your WordPress Dashboard, navigate to Appearance > Themes.
4. Click the Add New button and then click the Upload button.
5. Select the "sitka.zip" file and click Upload.
6. Once you've installed Sitka, click the Activate button.

1.2 FTP Installation

FTP stands for "File Transfer Protocol" and can be done via any number of FTP applications, such as FileZilla.

1. From your ThemeForest Downloads Screen, click the Download button next to Sitka. Select All files & documentation.
2. On your computer, unzip this package you've just downloaded. Within, you'll find a file titled "sitka.zip". This is the theme file.
3. Extract the "sitka" folder from the zipped "sitka.zip" folder.
4. If unsure of your site's FTP login credentials, ask your webhosting customer support team.
5. Browse to wp-content > themes.
6. Copy the unzipped "sitka" folder and paste it into your themes folder.
7. In your WP Dashboard, navigate to Appearance > Themes and Activate the Sitka theme.

1.3 Installing Plugins

After you've activated Sitka, a banner notification will appear across the top of your WP Dashboard suggesting you install a number of recommended & required plugins. The required plugins will ensure Sitka functions as it should. The recommended plugins are optional additional features for elements like newsletter forms, Instagram feeds, etc. showcased on the Sitka demo site.

You can also access your required and recommended plugin installer by navigating to Appearance > Install Plugins.

1. Within this banner notification, select the Begin installing plugins hyperlink.
2. Check the boxes for all plugins you wish to install > Choose Install option from the Bulk Editor drop-down menu > click Apply.

Note In order to install the required theme plugins, you must have the parent theme activated. If using a child theme, momentarily activate parent theme to install plugins.

1.4 Import Demo (optional)

Sitka offers an ever-growing selection of pre-built demos you can use. You can choose to simply import a demo's stylings or import the full demo stylings & content. Importing a demo is a piece of cake!

1. Install and activate the One Click Demo Import plugin.
2. Navigate to Appearance > Import Demo Data.
3. Find the demo you want to import & choose your desired demo import option.
   SETTINGS ONLY IMPORT: Imports only that demo's Customizer settings which includes layouts, colors, widgets, etc.
   FULL CONTENT IMPORT: Imports ALL CONTENT from the demo such as posts, pages, images, etc. as well as Customizer settings.

   Important! If you have existing content on your site, we strongly recommend using the Settings Only import option.

4. Click the Import button and then confirm by clicking the Yes, import! button.

After the demo import is complete, If you intend to use the MC4WP: MailChimp for WordPress newsletter form, please reference our guide: MailChimp Newsletter Subscription Form.

And if you intend to use the Instagram Feed, please refer to our guide: Instagram Header or Footer.

Note If you import one demo and wish to switch to another demo, you will first need to reset your Customizer settings prior to importing the second demo. Install the plugin Customizer Reset. Then, go to Appearance > Customize > Reset.

1.5 Regenerating Thumbnail Images

If transferring from a previous theme to Sitka, you may notice your Featured Images aren't cropped to a uniform size. This can be easily remedied by regenerating, or, refreshing your Featured Images so that they can take on Sitka's new thumbnail crop dimensions. It's an easy fix!

1. Install & activate the Regenerate Thumbnails plugin.
2. Go to Tools > Regenerate Thumbnails
3. Select the option to Regenerate Thumbnails for the # Featured Images Only.
4. Allow the plugin to run to 100% completion.

Note If you've regenerated your thumbnails but some are still not cropping correctly, please ensure your images aren't too small. If they do not meet a minimum crop dimension, WordPress will skip over cropping them.

2.1 Latest Posts vs. Static Page

You can have your homepage display either the Latest Posts feed or a static page of your creation.
Navigate to Settings > Reading > Homepage displays and choose either option.

2.2 Homepage Layout Settings

If your homepage is set to display the Latest Posts, navigate to Appearance > Customize > Homepage Settings.

Here, you can enable/disable the Sidebar element, choose your preferred post feed layout, and more.

2.3 Featured Area

Go to Appearance > Customize > Homepage Settings > Featured Area Settings.

To enable the Featured Area, toggle the option titled Enable Featured Area?

Further down, choose your preferred Featured Area layout, what content you'd like to pull into it, and how many total Featured Area slides to display. Additional options allow you to customize the overlay transparency and color, exclude your Featured Area's posts from the post feed below, and hide/show a variety of post meta details.

2.4 Promo Boxes

Promo Boxes are sectional image blocks you can title and link however you'd like.

To enable the homepage Promo Boxes, navigate to Appearance > Customize > Homepage Settings > Promo Box Settings
and toggle the option titled Enable Promo Boxes?

Choose from 2 layout options and set the number of boxes you'd ike to display. You can adjust the boxes' height, styling, and configure each box with your preferred image, title text, and linking URL.

Note We recommend using images that are appropriately sized (not enormous!) to whatever Promo Box configuration you choose to prevent slower page load.

2.5 Widget Area Under Featured Area

The homepage offers an additional widget area descriptively titled Widget Under Featured Area. This particular widget area was created with the newsletter form widget in mind and will display below the homepage's Featured Area element and (if enabled) below the Promo Boxes. However, other widgets could theoretically be placed in this widget area.

3.1 Logo

Navigate to Appearance > Customize > Header & Logo Settings.

Sitka has 2 logo options: Image or Text.
Choose your desired logo format via the Select Logo Type section.

Image

Upload your desired logo image via the Upload Image Logo setting.

Note Sitka's demo logo image was made using the "Beauty" font via dafont.

Text

Enter your logo text via Customize > Site Identity > Site Title.
You can change its font (Google Fonts), sizing, weight, and more using via the Set Text Logo settings.

3.2 Header Layout Settings

There are currently 3 different Header layout options to choose from.

Header Layout 1: LOGO + TEXT MENU + SOCIAL ICONS + SEARCH within a top-bar element.
Header Layout 2: POP-OUT/SIDE MENU + LOGO + SOCIAL ICONS + SEARCH within a top-bar element.
Header Layout 3: TEXT MENU + SOCIAL ICONS + SEARCH within a top-bar element. LOGO is centered beneath.

There are also options to enable/disable various elements, adjust Header Layout 3 padding, & change the pop-out/side menu's text label.

4.1 Creating a Menu

1. Navigate to Appearance > Menus.
2. Click the Create a new menu hyperlink.
3. Give it a title > click Create Menu.

It is important that you then assign your menus to their intended location. For main navigation menu, check the box at the bottom of the screen titled Primary menu. If you create a separate Footer menu, please be sure to check the box titled Footer Menu.

Switch between menus you've created by choosing them from the Select a menu to edit drop-down. Click Select.

4.2 Configuring the Menu

1. From the sections on the left (Pages, Posts, Categories, etc.), add items to the menu structure on the right.
2. Drag & drop the menu items to arrange them.
3. To create a sub-menu, drag a menu item until it's indented beneath another and drop it in place.

Tip Don't see the page, post, etc. you're looking for listed on the left? Be sure to click the View All tab.

5.1 Post Options

The Post Options section of your post edit screen offers loads of ways to customize the look and content of each post. It's located below your post body content area.

For examples of Sitka's different post formats and post layouts, visit Sitka's Main Demo and hover over the Features menu item.

Post Formats

Choose between 3 different post formats-- Standard, Video, or Gallery.

Post Layout

Select your desired post heading layout. Below, choose whether to include the Sidebar element, have the content display in the Narrow width, or in the Full-width.

Plan to regularly use one particular layout? Set your post layout default via Appearance > Customize > Post Settings.

Hide/Show Settings

Enable or disable various elements and choose where you'd like a post's Featured Image, Post Meta, and Share Buttons to appear.

Post Teaser

Text you can add as a "hook" or teaser to the post's content. Choose when and where to display this teaser text.

Featured Post Settings

Select an alternate image and/or title text to represent the post when it is pulled into the Featured Area element. If left blank, the post's standard Featured Image and title will be used.

5.2 Featured Image

A Featured Image is an essential aspect of any post. It will represent the post throughout the website as well as in SEO and when the post is shared on social media. To assign a Featured Image to your post, select the Set featured image button on the right. Choose your desired image from your Media Library or upload an image.

5.3 Assigning Categories

Categories are an important taxanomic tool to sort your posts into groups of similar content. Be sure to assign at least one category to each post via the Categories section on the right of your post edit screen.

6.1 Page Layout

Select your desired page heading layout. Below, choose whether to include the Sidebar element, have the content display in the Narrow width, or in the Full-width.

Plan to regularly use one particular layout? Set your page layout default via Appearance > Customize > Page Settings.

6.2 Blog Settings

Each page has the ability to display a blog feed. To enable this option on a page, click the Blog Settings tab and then toggle the Enable Blog on this page? option. Select your desired blog layout, post count, etc.

6.3 Page Featured Area

If the page is using Layout Style 1 (set within the Layout Settings tab), you can enable the featured area. Toggle the Enable Featured Area? option on and configure it how you'd like.

6.4 Page Promo Boxes

To add Promo Boxes to a page, enable the option via the Promo Box Settings tab. Choose your preferred layout, number of boxes, style, and Promo Box content.

8.1 How to Use Widgets

Navigate to Appearance > Widgets. Drag your desired widget from the Available Widgets group on the left and drop it into the Sidebar widget area on the right. Organize the position of the widgets by dragging & dropping them within the widget area. Click on a widget to open its settings interface. Configure it as you'd like.

To remove a widget from the Sidebar or other widget area but keep all of its settings intact, you can drag & drop it into the Inactive Widgets section at the bottom of the Widgets screen. Or, to delete the widget completely, you can open up its settings interface and click the Delete link.

Note Depending on which plugins are enabled (for example: WooCommerce), you may have additional widget areas to place widgets in. These will appear on the right of your Appearance > Widgets screen.

8.2 MailChimp Newsletter Subscription Form

Sitka's includes custom styling for the optional MC4WP: MailChimp for WordPress plugin. This allows you to insert a newsletter sign-up form in your widget areas. When a visitor adds their email via the form, it is saved to your MailChimp mailing list/audience. You can then use MailChimp's easy interface to create & send personalized newsletters to your hoards of fans.

1. Install & activate the MC4WP: MailChimp for WordPress recommended plugin.
2. Sign up and create an account with MailChimp.
3. Create a new Audience (mailing list) via Audience > Current audience > View audiences > Create Audience and fill in the necessary information.
4. Generate a MailChimp API key via Your Account Page > Extras > API Keys > Create a key. Copy this API key.
5. Within the MC4WP plugin settings screen, paste your API key. Save changes.
6. To have your form look like Sitka's demo form, go to MC4WP > Form and paste the following HTML code into the Form code box:

<div class="sitka-newsletter-wrap">
      
    <div class="news-img"></div>
      
    <div class="news-content">
        <div class="news-text">         
            <h4>Subscribe to  my Newsletter</h4>
            <p>Be the first to receive the latest buzz on upcoming contests & more!</p>
        </div>
        <div class="form-wrap">
          <input type="email" name="EMAIL" placeholder="Email Address" required />
          <input type="submit" value="Subscribe">
        </div>
    </div>
      
</div>      

7. Change your form's colors, add an image, and more via Appearance > Customize > MailChimp Newsletter Settings.

8.3 Custom Sitka Widgets

Sitka comes with a variety of custom widgets:

Sitka: About

A biographical widget to introduce yourself or your team. It can include an image, heading, sub-heading, text, and a signature image.

Sitka: Promo Box

A flexible image widget. Choose your desired image, add some title text, and hyperlink it to any URL of your choosing. The height is adjustable.

Sitka: Post Widget

Display posts in 4 different layouts. Filter the posts by a shared category or pick-and-choose specific posts to feature.

Sitka: Facebook Like Box

A widget that displays your Facebook Page details.

Sitka: Social Icons

Link visitors to your social media accounts via social icons. Set them to show in 1-5 columns.

9.1 Changing Colors & Typography Options

Navigate to Appearance > Customize > Colors & Typography Settings.

The various sections listed here offer loads of options for changing the colors, font-sizing, letter-spacing, and more for nearly all of Sitka's theme elements.

Does your site or brand have a set color palette you plan to use on your site? Via the Gutenberg/Editor Pallette section, add your own colors to the existing pallette for quick & easy implementation when using the Gutenberg block editor.

9.2 Fonts

Navigate to Appearance > Customize > General Font Settings.

The different theme typography sections noted here allow you to change Sitka's default fonts to your choice of nearly 1000 Google Fonts.

10.1 Setup Social Icons

Social icons link your visitors to your chosen social media accounts.
To setup your social icons, navigate to Appearance > Customize > Social Media Settings > Social Profile Icons.

For each social media account you wish to link visitors to, enter your account's full URL into to the related field.
For example, we would insert https://facebook.com/solopinedesigns into the Facebook field. Choose whether to enable that particular social icon in the Header and/or Footer areas.

10.2 Share Button Settings

Sitka includes 5 social share buttons which allow visitors to share your content on their own social media site: Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, LinkedIn, and via email.

Via Appearance > Customize > Social Media Settings > Social Share Buttons, you can hide/show any of the 5 share platforms and choose from 3 different visual styles.

The social share buttons can be displayed in 2 locations within a post. To enable/disable either of these share button locations, go to Appearance > Customize > Post Settings.

10.3 Instagram Header or Footer

Display a full-width feed of your Instagram images in Sitka's Header and/or Footer areas.

Please ensure you've installed the plugin called Smash Balloon Instagram Feed via Plugins > Install Plugins.
After, you'll need to connect your Instagram account via Instagram Feed > Connect an Instagram Account.

To configure the feeds, navigate to Appearance > Customize > Social Media Settings > Instagram Sections.

11.1 Installing

After installing & activating the WooCommerce plugin, you'll be given the option of running WooCommerce's Setup Wizard. We highly recommend using this setup wizard to quickly and easily get your shop settings in place.

Did you skip the Setup Wizard or want to revisit it at a later time? No worries! To re-run the WooCommerce Setup Wizard, go to WooCommerce > Help Tab (top-right of screen) > Setup wizard.

11.2 Import Demo Products

If you'd like to import Sitka's demo products as examples or placeholders in your own shop, you're very welcome to do so. The WooCommerce demo product import file is located within the Sitka theme package downloaded from ThemeForest. Please make sure you've selected the All files & documentation option when downloading Sitka from your ThemeForest account.

1. Go to Products > Import (button at top) > Choose File.
2. Locate your Sitka theme folder on your computer. Within, select Demo content > sitka-woocommerce.
3. Click the Continue button.

11.3 Shop Layout Settings

Shop Layout

Navigate to Appearance > Customize > Sitka WooCommerce Settings.
Here, you can set your webshop/product pages to be Full-width or to include the Sidebar.

WooCommerce includes lots of shop-specific widgets. To setup your shop's Sidebar, go to Appearance > Widgets and add your desired widgets to the WooCommerce Sidebar area.

Shop Content Settings

Navigate to Appearance > Customize > WooCommerce to edit a variety of your shop's settings including how many products appear in shop catalog, how products are sorted/displayed, product image thumbnail settings, and more.